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F ORE WORD

’ m s ar i oems a a s and o -s n s ar r E b d c p , b ll d f lk o g c y

r v r r her sto y back to the Christiandawnand e enea lie . They are history with the added charmof a personal

a r o ac a ot o i anna s note, th ill f tu lity, n to be f und n l a ron s e s n the o es n ears of the nd ch icle . Th y i g h p a d f

e e i e c mns e a na e en p opl n pi mo e t of th ir ntio l lif . Wh we r a h s or onar w s ma e ina f ar e d t e t y of Cl t f, e y p thiz

a w s r c e But who off w y ith the is ues the e de id d . among us feels the loss of Bri an as did his fr iend

a t o f t a monarc M c Liag, he p et ? He wrote o he de d h as anaide de camp might h ave writtenof Washing to as r or Rob n, Rudya d Kipling has wr ittenof L d

r s s o na v a es ou and e t . Thi p etic rrati e of b ttl f ght wonis a goldencommentary extending throughout the w o course of r s or I man cases h le I i h hist y . n y the poets were participants of the scenes they de ’ s c ribed ; for it was the bar d s duty to accompany his prince on the ﬁeld of battle and incite himto ’ d ee s of a or The son a o h ell d v l . gs b ut Hug O Donn and Patrick Sar sﬁeld wer e sung by menwhose for tunes were bound up with those of their leaders .

Mus c was ma e to serve t se same e an th i d he lf nd, d e

wo o ra onis as s n ma T s t f ld t diti vivid a it is i ti te. hi t r adition enables us to appreciate the true inwar d ness of Irish hi story ina way that the tomes of the

nn st u er ai to do a ali tt ly f l . vi FOREWORD

’ Fromthe cradle to the grave the Irishmans life is

set to mus c ins w h the ll s na i . It beg it lu abie of i f ncy ;

eenn end en th s r a s the k i g s it, wh e pi it le ve body. Wor k has its songs as well as play ; there are love

son s and d nes nd n e re the so s so ea g a c , a ev r a ng b u

as enthe er is oe D urns to tiful wh lov p t. evotiont

s n ns n ve s o g i ti cti ly ; so do joy and orrow, longing

and des r . n o no o smal pai Nothi g s great, thing s l but the Irishmanmay put it into verse and enrich mo it with el dy. I ntelling this story the attempt is made to place inrelief everything that throws light onthe character

of l—his m nr f e s a s is a e the Gae an e o lif , hi ide l , h ttitud

wa a e s i c the to r d the supernatur l . Th pirit n whi h

a n e ra r s N o r a n t sk is u dertak nis f nkly I i h. w iter t ki g the tr aditional English view of dominant r aces and

su eo do us e o a En bj ect p ples could it j tic . F r ges g — land has tried to make Ireland English English in

nr o The cus mEn s ins eec En s i e n. to , gli h p h, gli h ligi experiment has lasted sevencenturies ; yet the Irish

are s ae to-da v r ore an almost a G lic y as e e . M th

a a ma e r s me the na ers em th t, they h ve d I i h nof i v d th

se es orman ar ns E a et a d en rers lv . N b o , liz b h n a v tu , ” ua er a ers r me n rons es all St rt Und t k , C o w llia I id ,

th s t ha ot ee for have come under e pell. If i d n b n

ff r c re n e a u a resene a di e ene in ligio , Ir l nd wo ld h ve p t d ’ e E r ns to ern unit d front to ngland, and E i right gov s a h en ere her elf could not h ve beenwit held. Wh , th

o n is ma e to rse ut on the nen n f re, refere ce d pe c i , i t tio

s n o s but to raw is not to establish invidious di ti cti n, d

s r attentionto the alienspirit of Engli h ule. FOREWORD vii

I t was the words of anIrish servant girl that set the riter n n on i s o w thi ki g th s ubj ect. He was a b y th w s t m en. I t a he ti e of disturbances and coercion a s He s e the a ct . a k d girl wh t it was the Irish people ” w aned e an to r nsw d t Th y w t be f ee, she a ere . E very English lad is brought up to believe that Eng lan is the me i er an t a w r th o d ho of l b ty d h t, he e e Uni n

Jac es s a er ann e is Ye re s an k ﬂi , l v y c ot x t. t he wa

r sh r a n r s I i gi l, palp bly si ce e, who aid Ireland was not ’ ree. Her or s la i the r r rm f w d y n w ite s hear t, ge i u s ted and bore fruit inthe belief inIreland for the

r s ere is no n i I i h . Th thi g nthis attitude of mind dis ’ loyal to E ngland s best self ; for true love of father lan nnt rest onthe s a er d ca o l v y of others. The more the songs of Ireland are understood the s or e e the n n w ic m t y th y t ll, co ditio s h h gave the b r the na ure ae c ms and the mnner i th, t —of G li u ic a of its preservation the better the Irish genius will be a rec a ed an r m re a n s r n s s m pp i t , d f o app ci tio p i g y

a h ch is th m er e f u inss p t y, whi e oth of h lp l kindl e .

The a t r i s the n pl nof he wo k s imple. I n openi g c hapter it is shownhow music and song formed an — organic part of the most ancient Iri sh civilization a c ivilizationwhich long antedates the Anglo-Norman

as n the twe t c ur is a e inv io of lf h ent y. It thenexpl ind how this traditionwas kept alive through long ages

the ar s m s re s nd a s a r ree by b d , int l a h rper . Ch pte th dwells onthe extraordinary fact of the preservation r r of Irish music independent of any w itten ecord. The nature of Irish music is the theme of chapter

s of e art ed f our, and a descriptionf ollow th p play by FOREWORD

the e e a r o song inthe daily life of p opl . F i y myth logy and spirit lore and the tales of the R ed Branch and the Fianna lead natur ally to a discussionof the more

s o a s o T e s our strictly hi t ric spect of Iri h s ng. h la t f chapters are practically a history inverse and mel ody of the struggle of the Irish with the stranger fromthe ﬁeld of Clontar f to the Dawning of the ” a v o Day of rel ti e freed m. ’ T r s n s a u to Dr r c . he write tha k re d e . Pat i k W

o r u as f or e r n in J yce and D . Do gl Hyde th i ki dly terest and the permissionto use musical and poetic ’ e am es a n to Dr e i rs x pl . Oblig tio . Georg S ge ons ” ar the a nd t B ds of G el a Gall , o the poems of Mr .

Ar ur erce a ra es and r r th P v l G v M . WilliamButle

eats is a s o a a no e e Y l gl dly ck wl dgd. CON TE N TS

CHAPTER no: FOREWORD

I . THE BE GI N N I N os

I TH AR I . E B Ds AND MI N sT RE Ls I ow I I . H THE SoN os CAME DOWN To Us TH I V. E N ATURE or I RI sH MosI C

0 mm w V . 8 or JOY AND SoRRo

I 0 mmo OR A V . 8 r W K N D PLAY

I 0 mmo F R P R R V I . 8 r AE IE AND THE S I IT WO LD

0 m V I I I . 8 mor PAOAN CHIV ALRY X I . GAEL AND GALL

H R W X. T E CURsE or C OM ELL

XI . THE JA CORI TE I LLusI ON

A XI I . THE DAWNING or THE D Y

Musical I llus trations

E x. H OU I . T E G LIN

H U I s N o C R E x. 2 . T E CO L N As D IN LA E

LI BRO R BY ARP Rs E x. 8 . THE COU N EM IDE ED H E

sa o E x. 4. MAJOR w r C

sCAL E x. 5 . CELTIC E

x L M R CK A I R RAsE D ON V - N OT] : sCALE E . 6. I E I , FI E

E x. 7. THE LAsT RosE

’ ARRUT Us x . Y LovE E 8 . M s AN

XO YD sCA LE 9. MI L IAN

C or G JOR E x. 1 0. S ALE MA

1 Y P O OR sCA LE E x. 1 . H D IAN

. C or A M OR E x . 1 2 S ALE IN

1 8 . ARRAN MORE E x. O 1 0 (”NTE N TS

Ex. 1 4. UI LEACAN DURH 0

Ex. 1 6 . BEN ERI N N I

Ex. 1 6. EILEEN AROON

Ex. 1 7 . BALLI N DERRr

AI sT Ex. 1 8 . P EEN FION N

OR Ex. 1 9. N A or THE AM BER HAIR

A En. 20, 21 and 22. LULL RIE s

Ex. 28 . KEEN

P L w Ex. 24. o TUN E

’ Ex. 25 . SMI TH s SON G

E P N x. 26. S IN N IN G SO G

E . HE H or c HE Rz o o ERO C m x 27. T E S r I A S P HON Y

I I Ex. 28 . J G. THREE L TTLE DRUMMERI

I I H W Ex. 29. KERRY J G. W N E AND S E ILL FOL

Low YOU

A L FEATHE Ex. 80. CL RE REE . Toss THE Rs

Ex. SON or ON 8 1 . G O AGH O sDAr WEDN EsDA r Ex. 82. M N DAY, TUE ,

HE a B AN sHEE Ex. 88 . T C r or THE M N O or D R R Ex. 84. LA E TATI N EI D E I R or ssI A N Ex. 8 5 . D GE O R N SOUN Ex. 86. GATHE I G D

Ex. 87. RoI sI N DURH

R N WAI LE Ex. 88 . G A IA L M N Ex. 89. A E T ’ O Dm n or G Ex. 40. SHAN E THE LEN H W GEE sE Ex. 41 . T E ILD W COCE ADE Ex. THE HITE W Y L WAY) . To G Ex. 48 . AL THE AL A A or THE I RI sH VO U R Ex. 44. M RCH L NTEE The Song Lore of Ireland

CHAP TE R I

THE BE GIN NI N GS

Ma rc and poetry were the means by whi ch the an cient inhabitants of Ireland gave expressionto their deepest feelings and reached out toward things be

on the or of sense o e e e or tra y d w ld . T g th r th y f ma di on—a ra ons ll a and o era ve rou ti t diti ti vit l p ti , th gh which we touch hands with the poets and musicians

s a n a t s a r T l of a pa t th t a ted tes he Chri ti ne a. he go denchainof music-makers unites us with the harpers who sat intheir appointed places onthe hill of Tara

w h ms c so n th o or and, it their u i , fte ed e pill w of C

- n o r n a was i the mac ac Art f E . t n M , high ki g i Th

r n r r s ar s and mns re s fi st ce tu y after Ch i t. B d i t l taught their craft to younger menand the successors ’ n ormac s s r v ors ne e ore . a r c e of C e it k lt b f St P t i k, wh ” ss n v f i os o c m o . e r o o he came onh s ap t li i i N e , ne “ eme a me ne er a a ns a m ar s n of th xcl i d, v g i h ll y h p i g ’ ” s n od sa e a r c s o And the pr ai es of a y G v P t i k G d. fromthat time forwar d they accompanied the saint

o ne s a and mns re led onhis missionary j ur y . B rd i t l the rej oicings over the defeat of the Danes at Clon tar f and mourned the death of Br ian and Murcad. The songs of E rinwere carried into the Holy Land by Irish harper s ; minstrel heroes penetrated into the camp of the Anglo-Normaninvaders and emulated 2 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D

’ the ee s of a on e an d d S x Alfred. Th y s g E rins songs

in al and co a e inde nce f o n s f h l tt g , ﬁa o Tud r ki g , an ning the ﬂame of patriotismwith tales of dead heroes

an l - m a e s n e d o d e e s . e s and m a s m ti b ttl ﬁ ld Po t u ici , th

se v roscr r v ir l es p ibed, g ie ed f or exiled Tyrone and T o h ’ c nnel ; they sang t e dirge of Owen Roe O N eill.

e mourne the ire of r mwe m and Th y d C o ll, and wo en children murdered in hundreds about the cross of

ro e a a o a as vo w s D gh d . With l y lty de ted as it as mi

ace e h us o th s m tu pl d, th y upheld t e ca e f e di se bling S

ar s I n a er momens all too few e u e t . h ppi t , , they x lt d with Patrick Sarsﬁeld ; they sang the praises of the ’ Rapparees ; they glori ed inthe charge of Clare s men

at oneno I nthe ena a s e were a ners F t y . P l D y th y p rt ’ in an er and mar r omw re s s d g ty d ith I land s prie t ,

une e eas s o re w no ac la r h t d lik b t f p y, ith pl e to y thei

ea s e er inthe on n of se en en r es h d . N v l g ight v c tu i of foreignoppressionhave these menceased to pro

s o r s na onal is claimthe cau e f I i h ti ity . Langu hing

in r son one to ea as ra ors t e r s p i , d d th t it , h y we e till

s o e co n true to their cau e. Fr mth mi g of Strongbow ” ” to inet -E rom ne -E our N y ight, f Ni ty ight to

the oe s of re an a e sun to au i ownday, p t I l d h v g thent c

ra n anE r n r ree and n e en en Irish st i s i by ight f i d p d t,

ut sou une ere i co l in cha ins truly, b with l f tt d, rre nci

an ea sa e a of re an for the ris able to y id l v th t I l d I h, ” e sea fromthe center to th . Irish song is the exp ressionof the Celtic genius

i e er a e and in s r . inmusic and verse, n v yd y lif hi to y

urn ore n onem of Understood aright, it will t f ig c t pt E rin to f oolishness and expose to scornthe false THE BEGINNINGS 3

shame of a f ew unworthy Irishmenand the descend

ans of ris menwhenEr nand the n s E r n t , I h i thi g of i

r s f a e pokenof. Johno Salisbury tells us that inthe Crusade headed by Godfrey of Bouillonthe concert of Christendomwould have beenmute had it not been f o n r the r sh ar . era arr th ls m I i h p G ld B y, e We h o k

and s or an a er of the r s t ou he as de hi t i , h t I i h h gh w , ’ l res t t E r s r l r a c a ha in harpe s surpass al othe s. Th t ’ was in t e w r an s a s h t elfth century . I el d s mu ic l kill

had wo her ame a s e re a o e er . n f long ge b fo th t , h w v Whenthe wife of Pepinof France wanted choristers

for her new a e f e e wa not a to bb y o Niv ll , it s to It ly,

ermn o t En a a s s n t I re G a y , r o gl nd th t he e t, but o

a n cen r a l nd. a as s I n Th t w inthe eve th tu y . Eliz bethandays the songs of Ireland wonpraise even

r om r n a c s r he enem a d tr u r E m e . f y d e , d und Spen

a es eareanen ms l n nso u e m a Sh k p ig a , o g i l bl , beco e pl in ’ inthe of the o light poet s acquaintance with Celtic l re. Baconof Verulamdeclared that of all instruments the Irish harp had the sweetest note and the most pro lon ed r s a r a g . I i h i s found their way into the virginl oo s u r and aco ean a a b k of T do J b d ys. Byr ds nd P ur

e r e ar a ns ou r s ns i ac c ll w ot v i tio I i h tu e . As npe e, w E ’ so it was in ar . ngland s battles have beenfought and wonto r s mu c s I i h si . The United States wonit ” ree mto the s r ns All the W a a a f do t ai of y to G lw y, ” nwnall er the rl a an ee o k o ov wo d s Y k Do dle, and,

e the En l s marc e of whil g i h h d out Yorktown, the pipes squealed the tune of The World Turned Up ” s e n. ee o en s id Dow B th v , Mendel sohn, and Berlioz

c ness the ea r all o f b uty of I ish melody . 4 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

e l ave not alwa a t w r P op e h ys c ed, ho eve , as though

e were a are of ese a s n a enera on th y w th f ct . O ly g ti has gone by since a professor ‘Of Trinity College had the ra e his noranc to ar a o cou g of ig e decl e th t, pri r to

the comn of the rma s an a ons an had i g No n d S x , Irel d

u u or o a v Th a no c lt re w thy f ci ilized race. e mker of that obser vation focussed in one small identity the

oranc and re u ce w c for enur as ign e p j di hi h , c t ies p t, have made English people incapable of understanding

s a r th m a of the Iri h char cte . At e very ti e th t this ﬁcial know-nothing was airing his folly the patient labors of Irish archaeologists were bringing to light treasure of Irish art and literature which to day ﬁlls the scholars of the world with delight and amaze

is a o an h s ment. It s th ugh a new pl et ad wuminto t amn o ow he ﬁrm e t f kn ledge. The great pathbreaker of scientiﬁ c Celticismwas ’ r is th a f s E ugene O Curry. The e in e bility o thi remarkable manto extract fromancient manuscript the spirit of the Gaelic past something seer-like and

His or is ca ono c n r e on druidic . w k anevo ti f e tu i s l g

ma ne ea but i rea on s ee n e i gi d d d, , n lity, ly l pi g, lik ’ t t a - t r ss he princess in he f iry tale, unil a love s ki ’ s ou a t e urr ss a e the h ld aw ken h m. O C y di ip t s night of msc nc n am th en o hu i o eptio , pliﬁes e m tal horiz nof man n re- rea s the anc en e c wor a d e . ity, c t i t C lti ld ’ What O Curry did for Celticisminits literary as

ee or e r e a e e inthe oma nof mus p t, Ge ge P t i chi v d d i ic.

h o of s a c o r D T e w rk the e men nd of s h la s like r . Doug la the o Dr i rson an e r co s Hyde, J yces, . S ge , d th i adj utors enables us to take a view of E rininwhat THE BEGINNINGS 5 ma be erme her r as e t se er w en y t d ly ic p c ; to e h h ,

move o or rie she ee s s a i on . d by j y g f, s k ol ce n s g

h e s l is t w s r an T s n s T enth Iri h fo k i s o nhi to i . he o g of the people are free fromguile or pretense or the bias of the professional historian; they tell what is ’ i the r r it o s a it a s i on n singe s hea t, s l ve nd s h te , ts l g

s on it ea s r the cr n its as ra i s . e a e i g , pi t , s id l Th y y of the natural man; the people sing themwith the acc n us w n s a to od ot n e t they e he they pe k G . N hi g is too rea no n too sma for ese conﬁdences g t, thi g ll , th

n to r a s The n ma e in s e trusted poet y nd mu ic. i ti t th g — of family life are inthem the mother to her baby

s r to s e h is t ar as he c oons it le p , t e lover to h swee he t,

t r the father by he side of his motherless child en. Theirs also is the song of the thrush inthe morning the voice of the plowman urging onhis team; the reek of the peat smoke is inthem; they echo the hue and cry of hunter and hounds and the music of the ’ v i e c . wa es on the beach . They are E r ns own sp e h I ndays of oppressionand secrecy she is Kathaleen na o han she is Moireenna Cullenan she is the H uli , ; ” s w nthe awn e a ose. I n a er a e Littl Bl ck R l t d y , h d ' ’ so o s ar o h i r ns or appeaIs not h peles ly f ﬁ , s e s E i gl i ous self and her smile puts new courage into Irish

ear s h t . Strange words to be penned by anEnglishman;

t r to o o t m E r n ere ye what B i nw uld nt write he , if i w

Britannia and Britannia E rin. The earliest allusions to music inIrish story re f r to t ar or ve its anc en e name e he h p, , to gi it i t C ltic , th The bar er ures in the mos anc en e cruit. p ﬁg t i t 6 THE SON G LORE OF IRELAN D tales and the harp is regarded as the primitive in s r umen I ts or o t t. iginis the theme of the mst ancient ’ le en s O Curr i is o ame . n h ae ex l rin s g d y, G lic p g , c across anold story with the title of The Defense of the Great Bardic Company inwhich the unknown

r s o s autho tell h w the ﬁr t harp came to be made. It is the a e of a m n i e u the sonof t l ana d h s wif . C ll ,

idhuel is the ma a o o e oman M n n C n cla r t . , , a d ch Mh h w Canoclach hated her husband and ﬂed away fr om him he as ersi s en o r hr . But p t tly foll wed he . T ough

res and w erness she s ﬂew e o imand fo t ild till b f re h , inher an er n s she reac ed the seas ore of amas w d i g , h h C .

As Cano lach wa ov r e came c lked e th ribbed sand, she

U onthe s e e onof a a e an the n ass n p k l t wh l d wi d, p i g

rou h the s ne s of the ea m s r ma e a th g i w d d onte , d

st s r n us t e murmuri ng . Li ening to this t a ge m ic h

omn e s ee d er s an who was ar on w a f ll a l p, an h hu b d, h d

r came u He r a mar e e how was he trail, p . g e tly v l d it

a is ha e as nd st in th t h wife d fall n leep a , ca ing about his mn for a reason he e e mus be the i d , d cid d it t sounds made by the wind inthe tightly strung sinews

t e a en r s n u asser e of the whale. Then h l t t a ti t i C ll t d

se a na re had eff e e c ane he wo d it lf. Wh t tu ct d by h c ul

n e wen n the o and a in do by desig . H t i to wo d , t k g a m of r ma e nt the rame or of a li b a t ee, he d it i o f w k

ar He ut s r n s u on ma e romthe s news h p . p t i g p it d f i

an a s ow the ﬁrs ar c me of the whale, d th t i h t h p a to be ma e d . This tale of Cull and Canoclach belongs to the same family of stories as the Grecian fable of the

h s uma na ure of ours eman s a s ar n lyre. T i h n t d d t ti g

8 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

s aw E r a ar off but no nur ear . in f , did t adve t e n

The la s of a a re a w omara ve s t w p g nI l nd, ith c p ti ly ligh

r v s on r ver un t m o th arts and e i i , pe se ed til he ti e f e Stu , their spir it dwells inthe heart of the people to this

r day. So it is with the genius of Gaelic poet y and

mus c The r s o r v on u inthe i . I i h pe ple we e ne er c q ered sense that the people of Gaul and Britainwere con

e v o e a e r a a quered . Th y ne er l st th ir langu ge ; th ir ci l char acteristics continued vital and aggressive ; enemy

a er nm a a ans sea n s he ft e e y w s assimil ted . D i h ki g came Irishmen; the Normansettlers inIreland forgot their native speech and were soon more Irish than the Irish themselves within a hundred years of ’ ’ ver s att es h sc n ans r ome s ron Oli b l , t e de e d t of C w ll I

s es w r a n a c an as r s in e r wa id e e t lki g G eli , d I i h th i y of thinking as though they had beenthe issue of an

o s h s tenac unbrokensuccessi nof Irish ance tors . T i ity of racial instinct makes Irish tradition a living link betweenthe Celtic past and the civilizations of

to-da E ac uc ss e a e of ore n mm r a y. h s ce iv w v f ig i ig

h ma n e c s ream tiononly served to enrich t e i C lti t . Imbedded as it were inthe chronicle of deeds of

a c ro a on blood, we ﬁnd det ils whi h th w vivid light

r s r r s re rove of s n is oun I i h cultu e. T ea u t thi ki d f d in this ancient battle of the Northern Moytura fought between the Fomorians and the Tuatha de

Danan a on to the s or of the n n. I n dditi t y ﬁghti g, it gives us a classiﬁcationof music which was inuse among the ancient Irish long before the bir th of

r s so e in the a e accouns f or the Ch i t . An epi d b ttl t

ar en e r ns c matter introduction of this app tly xt i i . THE BEGINNINGS 9

Th omor a s in e e rea carr e off the ar e F i n, th ir r t t, i d h p

of th T at h s oss was re ar e as e u ha de Dananu . T i l g d d

a s r ma er oss o ac o v e ious tt , p ibly n c unt of the alue

of the ns r men oss a so a s o ma ca i t u t, p ibly l bec u e f gi l

t h s virtues attributed o it. The King of t e Tuath

d a anu hi a a or r and a c am e D n , s D gd chief d uid, h

onname ma set out to tr to et ac a a n pi d Og y g it b k g i .

e o n the omorians as a h Th y f u d F fe ting nd there, ont e wa of the an ue n c amer hun th a ll b q ti g h b , g e h rp . But the mus c was s en in f or the ns rumn was i il t with it, i t e t spellbound and would not answer to any touch save

a of th a da The ru a e to th s r th t e D g . d id c ll d e int u men and ea n wn romthe a l it c ar t , l pi g do f w l , h ged

rou the eas n omori ans n u for th gh f ti g F , killi g nine n tunate erson who a ene o be in its w p s h pp d t ay. ’ ’ What follows may best be told inO Curry s trans lationof the Gaelic original

I t (the harp) came to the Dagda : and he played f or them hree eat which ive istinction t har r namel the t f s g d o a pe , y t nre which romi ee mrmurin ca se slee he Soo t e ( , f ts d p u g, u s p) ; the Gauntree (which fromits merriment causes laughter ) ; nd which romits mel in lainivens cause a the Goltree ( , f t g p t e s. s e th the ol re nti their wo w tear s) . He play d em G t e u l men ept tears ; he played themthe Gauntree until their women and youths burst into laughter ; he played them the Soontree r host ell aslee I was thro th t until the enti e f p . t ugh a sleep that they (the three champions ) escaped fromthose who were

This is not the language of musical savants ; it i t a ua of oe r Bu is a mra d s he l ng ge p t y. t it d i bly e s r v nd evenat s da we can ee its sub c ipti e a , thi y, f l

t t acc rac due a ance e n ma e f or a s anial u y, llow b i g d b r 1 0 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAN D dic warmth and the impressionableness of an unso

histicated race e the ass a o o s n n p . Whil cl iﬁc ti nd e ot i clude all the varieties of tune made use of by the

r s at th r s n a nev cat I i h e p e e t d y, ertheless it indi es three kinds of melody which they have always culti vated w s n u ar e c The Soontree or s ee mus c ith i g l f li ity. , l py i , ’ is r e resene b E r ns u a es w i are a m p t d y i l ll bi , hch d it tedl the mos eau in wor t e oltr or y t b tiful the ld ; h G ee, mus of sadness nc u es the eens and am s th ic , i l d k l ent ; e

aunree or mr u mus c emra es t e s an G t , i thf l i , b c h jig d

e an on n v a r e a re ls d ced ma y a ill ge g eninh ppy hours . If this classiﬁcation were set forth in a single manuscript only it might seemof comparatively small

n can But r ecurs a a nand a a nand its sig iﬁ ce. it g i g i

s a ns re r ar ous I n one the manife t tio a st ikingly v i . Preludes of the Cooley Cattle Raid which took place

s i c inthe ﬁrst century of the Chri tianera, and s ele brated inanepic that is to the Irish what the Song

s t ermans acco n is of the Nibelungs i to he G , an u t givenof the or iginof these three feats which give ” s ar er The descr on is obvi di tinctionto a h p . ipti ously anallegory ; but it is none the less interesting

a oun The ree c asses of mus c are on th t acc t . th l i

o e s e r mo er was Boand one called three br th r . Th i th ,

a o e r om homthe o ne has its of the f iry pe pl , f w B y

ame and e r a er was Uaithne a name of ree n , th i f th , th

o si niﬁeance one meann e n armon in f ld g , i g b i g h y

r ere is the h the e en f or poetry o music . H pit of l g d, ’ which also we are indebted to O Curry

At the time that the woman (their mother ) was in her i w n and mournin with her in the intensit labor, t as cryi g g y THE BEGIN NINGS 1 1

of her ains at he e innin I t was a hin nd o wit p , t b g g. l ug g a j y h her inthe middle of themat the pleasure of having brought f orth two sons I t wa re os and r n il w n . s p e t a qu lity ith her o e irth o as o a h w n th b f the l t s n, fter t e eight of the labor : a d it was on that account that each one of themwas named r t ir B afte a h d part of the music. oand then awoke from h re o h on e e ose . ce t t t p Ac pt h u t y hree sons, O passi at ” “ Uaithne sai she in return for th enerosit : name , d , y g y ly, ” cr in music and lau hin music and slee in music y g , g g , p g .

Another interpretationof the th ree names is given inthe story of the wooing of Scathach by FinnMac

oo or mos of th c am ons o th ed ranc C l , f e t e h pi f e B B h, that pagan chivalry which has givenE rinso many

urnn names Scathach and n a in e b i g . Fi nf ll lov with

e or she o o s her each other at ﬁrst sight . B f e f ll w

l t h r o c athac as s f r the a . over o t e b idal c u h, Sc h k o h rp

The s ol har w on of three strins hou eh d p as e g . Methinks it was a pleasant j ewel : n ir s rin of no e A stri g of on, a t g bl bronze n n il And a stri g of e tire s ver. The names of the not heavy strings Were Suantorrgles ; Geantorrgles the great : s ri Goltarrgles was the other t ng,

Which sends all mento crying. If the pure Gollteargles be played

F or the heavy hosts of the earth,

The hosts of the world, without delay,

‘ c Would all be sent to constant rying. a e If the merry Gentorrgles be pl y d, eav xecution F or the hosts of the earth, without h y e n i They would all be laughi g from t, h nex Fromthe hour of the one day to the same of t e t. If the free Suantorr gles were played

To the hosts of the wide universe, — The menof the world great the wonder r Would fall into a long slumbe . 1 2 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

Here each of the three kinds of music is associated

th ea with a particular string. Are we to accept e id of a three-stringed harp liter ally ? Or were there

hree ff eren r e s e o s s of ron an t di t gi t rs, one f tring i , o r o s v r o r is s to as the f il e , a third f b onze ? It ea y sociate silver with the sweet music of slumber and

ron woe N or is n nce va e a rone i with . it i co i bl th t b z ma a e th r n of - art ness uness y h v e i g light he ed . But l the strings were stopped by the ﬁngers into diff er ent en s so as to r uce ff eren n es a er l gth p od di t ot , ft the manner the v ol n w s u n ave a sin of i i , e ho ld o ly h

le n e for eac n of mus c g ot h ki d i . W e canonly hope that literary or archaeological store as yet unrevealed will give us the key to the

ms er . A old scu ure t ar ac y t y n lpt a Ull d, dating b k to the nn enur ow s i o he i th c t y, sh s u that nth se days t Irish were familiar with the idea of a h arp without ’ — a ore os and O urr o e a th o s c f p t , C y h p d th t e b g whi h ’ at once conceal and preser ve so much of Ireland s

as — w e ver u one of the n ue ns r mens p t ill d li p a tiq i t u t . Meanwhile these ancient stories of the harp and the makers of music are proof incontestable of the

ossess on the anc en r s cen r es e ore p i by i t I i h , tu i b f

a onor orm set oo in n o ms ca S x N an f t the la d , f a u i l aesthetic to parallel which we must turnto the an

en ree s I the s or of u an t ar the ci t G k . n t y C ll d he h p attitude of the Celt is that of the natur al philoso

is r n er sc n c r a ona s mna . I ph ; he ie tiﬁ , ti li t , expe i e t l the a e of the a a onthe o er an he oo s t l D gd , th h d, l k uponthe phenomena of music through the windows of the s ou The ar w ive its s r to none l . h p ill g up ec et THE BEGINNINGS 1 8

v one a i sa e the Dagda al , nd he s the possessor of su

ernatur al ers The r a th p pow . e lmof e supernatur al was not so remote fromthe ancient Celts as it is from us Eve w nthe as tw un r ea ﬁnd . n ithi l t o h d ed y rs, we the people attributing the beauty of the music made

cer a n ar ers to a a r ms ress by t i h p f i y i t , who dwelt

the ns rumen and w s e o I within i t t hi p red to her l ver . n th a e r of Boan and aithne ms c is e ll go y d U , u i given

uman ormw a a r oman or mo e an bar h f , ith f i y w f th r d

mon ncar a e or r . e o th e m f y i nt f si e M l dy, e le ent o music inwhich the highest creative genius expresses

se is na s ernatura or n w i e armon it lf, give up l igi ; h l h y ,

a f s n c ca c a o mos m the p rt o mu ic i to whi h l ul ti n t ente ,

i o a us is us e ne s a uman is cred ted t mn. M ic th d ﬁ d a h art h ana e a r ro e romthe s er , wit dd d qu lity bo w d f up natural. N or is this idea only to be met with inthe poems of arn ar s n s e ress on in the erm le ed b d . It ﬁ d xp i t ” r m a r se o n the eo e to Fai y usic, ph a c i ed by p pl

a n l t suc describe cer tainmelodies of a h u ting sub e y, h as the famous Song of the Pretty Girl Milking Her ” ow So r c s the o - ore of s ase of the C . i h i f lk l thi ph subj ect that the songs of faerie and the spirit world w a m ill claimtre t ent apart. The belief that music is the result of the mingling of the human and the supernatural is the deepest o ar t P er word of the Celts onthe phil sophy of the . haps it is the deepest word ever uttered ; for what have

rec a subl t omanor er or ermantranscen G i n e y, R d , G dentalismsaid which carries us further ? CHAP TER I I

Th e: Ru i ns AND MIN s'rEE Ls

I r we would enter into the spi rit of Irish song our minds must be impressed with a deﬁnite image of its ma ers w a manner men e a n k , h t of th y were, their tr i in and sc ne the a l g di ipli , pl ce they ﬁl ed inpublic life.

or una e o s su w v F t t ly, n thi bj ect e ha e authentic in

orma on oin ac man cen r s f ti g g b k y tu ie . The ancient Ir ish drew a sharp distinctionbetween the ard and the mus n T a h c a . h wa i i he rd s a poet,

earne inthe com e me r s of ae c v rs om l d pl x t e G li e e, a c

oser of ane r cs and e e es o o s s p p gy i l gi , f de and atires .

en as wa o te the case his v rse w Wh , s f n , e s ere intended to sun b enra nr s be g, e g e lly e t u ted that duty to a voc a st w om n ns mna li , h a i tru e t list accompanied upon

so o a the harp . The le occupati n of the hard w s poetry and it gave ample scope for the play of his

s he was a an of a an c ar ter gift . If m bility d h ac , swift to catch the drift of public sentiment and give

e uen e ress on is o e ou a e a mos it loq t xp i , h v ic w ld t k on l t

m a r arc th prophetic ring ; he beca e p t i hal , e counsel

o s r- s f e l r and j udge of kings. This ee like a pect o th bardi c character has riveted itself on the popular

ma na on an me an er r r a e s e i gi ti , d ti d o h v di torted th

ma e no the c ur s ue t n or - a er i g i t pi t e q bu u hist ic harp pl y , w e-ro e and ear e wh c ll a e ami r hit b d b d d, with i h a r f lia .

as ! for sen men a r c is Al ti t, th t d uidi wight pure f an

as a d mis ne e er had a h s c r a t y n co c it ; he nv i tori o iginl. 14

1 6 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND inthe councils of the kingdom; no manwas beyond reach his s ar - e sa a of h p tooth d tire. So gre t indeed w e r owe at ne me s r as th i p r o ti , and o notorious thei

use a the e nc o of the w o e ar c ab of it, th t xti ti n h l b di or r wa ser ous c nem a uma e s ed. d i ly o t pl t But St. Col b acted as peace-maker ; a compromise was arrived at and thereafter the bards were subj ect to a stricter

s c n di ipli e. To the primitive bardic age we may probably refer the rannor verse inwhich are set forth the quali

r o av ﬁcations of poets. They a e t h e :

Purity of nature, bright without wounding; Purity of mouth without poisonous satire ;

Purity of learning, without reproach ; f s i Purity o husband h p.

E ver y great chief had several bards and they ran or n to i wa the u the ked acc di g ab lity. It s d ty of ard-ﬁle or chief hard to celebrate the deeds of his mas er and the am ma e r h a o es and t f ily, to k bi t d y d c m s m s He accomaned the C e a n n o po e la ent . p i hi ft i i to b attle ; he sang the glories of the clanin the ver y presence of the enemy ; he was the eye-witness of his ’ mas s uc w th ar es ate inthe ter s pr owes . S h as e b dic t

e But h inroa s the anes and the C ltic prime. t e d of D desolationwhich they spread over the land weakened th ascen enc o t an n r The rman e d y f he cie t orde . No

w ha e invasionswept away much of hat the Danes d l ft . Yet so tenacious are the Irish of est ablished tradi

ona d s e a am n t e s st r an ti n u ag , th t C de , h Engli h hi o i ,

r as si teen c n r w iting inthe l t quarter of the x th e tu y, THE BARDS AND MI N I STRELS 1 7

e s how the ch e a ns a e e r r ons or u s t ll i ft i h v th i b eh , j dge ;

e i or ns s c a s r h r s a n bar n a s . T e th i h t i , phy i i , ds a d h rpe

ursu of ese ro ess ons was ered ar n f am p it th p f i h it y, o e

e o in s e to med c ne a ot e t r a ily d v t g it lf i i , n h r o poet y,

r to mus c E a a a i thi d i . ch mnh d land assigned to h m

f or his su ort pp .

ese ro ess ons w r a s Th p f i e e t ught in Irish college , which were so highly considered that kings and

r nces oo a ersona ner s h m e ere p i t k p l i t e t int e . Th y w indeed indirect lineal successionwith the Irish schools to wh c in th sevenh a d e n r es the i h, e t n ighth ce tu i , young nobleman of Britain and the mainland of

E ur o e ha r sor a m v n e th o of n . e p d t, s e h e learni g E

to the as t e ro ss r m s o a a d l t h p fe ors we e e inent ch l rs, n inearly days the appointment of the examiners lay

h the arc - oe of the n wit h p t ki g . Valleys and woodlands remote fromthe city wer e

c osens es for the co e es and no ou romnear h it ll g , y th f

was a owe to be a s u n r s am by ll d t de t, for fea le t f ily

an r n s s oul s T co e d f ie d h d hinder hi work . he lleg

tse usua cons s e of a on low rou of w i e i lf lly i t d l g, g p h t as e u n s warm t a c e Th iner or w h d b ildi g , ly h t h d. e t i

was monas c i its s m c er a a ar e ti n i pli ity . Th e w s l g

ener a mee n all r h s a r g l ti g h whe e t e tudents g the ed . Here the chief ollave or doctor would address them and give out a subj ect for poetic composition; here too cenere the soc a e of th oo E ar i the t d i l lif e sch l . ly n

mor the u n assem e and a a ning st de ts bl d , h ving he rd

a e and ee vena su e t wo on discours b ngi bj c to rk up ,

e rea as e and r e re to e r r oms th y b kf t d ti d th i o . A b c es r a a ou e of cha rs were all the ed, a loth il, c pl i 1 8 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

urn ure n o ere was f ol av s f it . Wi d w th none ; or the l e believed the light of day and glimpses of the world without incompatible with the concentration uccea sar f or ar m s on Th s n him y b dic co po iti . e tude t flung se ou the be and a e h s mn r o lf d g v i i d to poetic c eati n. T o have a fine idea was not sufficient ; it must be ex

ss o rm o s s d pre ed inorth dox fo . T ward the clo e of ay a servant came r ound with candles and each student

r e o nw a ha o o u o owe w ot d w h t he d c mp sed . S pper f ll d and the e enin was s en insoc a con erse v g p t i l v . I nthe Gaelic prime students were billeted onthe

l o r a a en e e e s e s or ma n ne rons. E p opl , ik ldi , i t i d by p t v inlater days the people fromr ound about would

ri n rov s on and at the e nnn of the sc oo b g p i i s , b gi i g h l

ear the s u ens ma e resen the ro essors . y , t d t d p ts to p f The old order lingered on till the close of the se eneen cenur hou man of the ar s ere v t th t y, t gh y b d w

e ur n th romwe a nas on was the kill d d i g e C lli ni v i . It war between Williamof Orange and the Jacobites an h aws o r a rou na de d t e penal l , h weve , th t b ght ﬁ l s o th anc n a ac a emes The tructi non e ie t G elic d i . Wil liamite code made it a prisonoff ense f or any Catho lie to eac a or nane r oro s enorce t h . Th t di c , ig u ly f d,

h co le s e ut dealt a death blow to t e bardic l ge . Th y

and er not for a escr ion terly ceased to be , if it w e d ipt ” r la ri arde u s e in1 720 inthe Memoi s of C n ck , p bli h d , eventhe all too meager account here givenwould be

er the sch s are fr e unavailable, though ref ences to ool quent inGaelic liter ature for more thana thousand

e rs y a .

mus ot m e owe er a the mem It t n be i agind, h v , th t THE BARDS AND MI N I STRELS 1 9 bers of the individual professions always kept them

w e r selves ithin the strict lett r of their calling, o

o w m w s or that every ne ho ade poetry a a hard, ev on who a s c an nin ery e pl yed or sang a mu i i . Eve the heyday of Celticismwe ﬁnd the professions co

t n c o e o a e w ar o uet i ea r . F r e m e e q g with h th x pl , t ld inthe Book of Lecanthat WhenFelinMac Crif

' ﬁn mo r n as of he n s , na ch of Eri , was in C hel t Ki g ,

ere came to himthe a of a ur c who oo th bbot ch h , t k his little eight-stringed harp fromhis girdle and ” a o to ere pl yed sweet music and sang a p em it. H we have a churchmanwho is als o both musicianand

oe The a is s n can f or we ma be sure p t . f ct ig iﬁ t, y

a e a cs a r r s o th t, if eccl si sti pl yed the ha p, ba d ftendid

the same ou was no ar of e r ro ess on. , th gh it p t th i p f i

n n -c u o a of o Adamna the se e en r r er . C , v th t y bi g ph St

um a h rona s n erses l ba, tells us th t t e poet C n a g v ” a t th ma r o as a f er e nner of his art. He e the p et w mus ana s ici l o . Passages in poems dating fromthe thirteenth century onwar d picture a typ e of artist who was

o oe and mus c a a r e ac nm b th p t i i n. Gill B id M Co ee is a oo e am e onmee who was rnin g d x pl . Mac C , bo

s er owar s the end of the e t ce ur oo Ul t t d tw lf h nt y, t k ’ ser vice un er Donnchadh Cairbre O Brien ch of d , ief the a cass ans His on ourn c D l i . l g soj inAlba or S ot

an eamed Mac onmee the sur n o ach l d C ame f Alban . ’ O Briensent himto try to r ecover a harp which had

a en no the an s of the co c . I n s mss on f ll i t h d S t h thi i i ,

owe r Albanach wa unsucc ss u a e am s h ve , s e f l, nd h l ent his failure ina poemwhich the good for tune that 20 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

a c es over s f e a o w t h work o g nius h s br ught downto us. Was Albanach a poet or a musician? That is the

u st on Th ann o th a i e q e i . e m er f e poemc lls h ma po t ; its ma er r oc a ms hima mus c an He sure had tt p l i i i . ly

in imthe s uff w a ar E v in h t of hich b rds e made. en ’ ’ O Curry s literal tr anslation we feel the glow of

He s a th ar a b o t to genius. a ks th t e h p my e br ugh

i o t hi He h mun u he ma or e s r e . til, p n it, y f g g i f wishes for the life of the evergreenyew tree that he

a th f th ar nre a r W a t may h ve e keeping o e h p i p i . h

s no th a e c s eec the mof the is thi if t e uth nti p h, idio , musician?

rin unto me the har of m kin B g p y g, Until upon it I forget my grief ’ A mans grief is soon banished the te that sweet-soun in tr By no s of d g ee. He to whomthis music-tre e belonged s a o o sweetes er o an W a nble youth f t p f rm ce. Many aninspired song has he sweetly sung - o tha l n swee voice instrument. T t e ega t, t d Many a Splendid j ewel has he bestowed Frombehind this gem-set tree ; Oftenhas be distributed the spoils of the race of t its r rve e s o Wi h g aceful cu plac d to his h ulder. Beloved the hand that struck i - The th n, slender sided board ; v w a A tall. bra e youth as he who pl yed uponit Wit s h exte an w c ac t . d rou h d, ith per fe t f ili y Whenever his hand touched That hom o music in er e e f p f ction, I ts ro on t ee si p l ged, sof , d p gh Too a s r k way fromu all ou grief. Wheninto the hall would come The race of v a of Cas the wa ing h ir, A harp with pathetic strings within THE BARDS AND MI N I STRELS 21

Welcome the comel menof el d y Cash . The maidenbecame known to all men Throughout the soft-bordered lands of Banba ; I t is the harp of Donchadh cried everyoneh The slen er thin and r a rant tree d , f g . ’ ’ O Briens har ! sweet its melo p dy, At the head of the banquet of fair Gabhran; Oh ! how the pillar of bright Gabhran called forth The meltin tones of the thrillin c r g g ho ds. N o son of a bright Gaedhil shall get ’ The harp of O B rien of the ﬂowing hair ; N o son of a foreigner shall obtain The race ul em-set air instrument ! g f , g , f y Woe i to have thou ht of sen in t e g d g o b g thee, Thou harp of the chie ftainof fair Limerick Woe ! to have thought of sending to purchase thee ’ F or a r of rinn s ich ﬂock E s heep . Sweet to me is th melo ious voi e y d c , ’ 0 mai that wast once the arch- i d, k ng s ; Th ri ht voic m is y Sp g ly e to e sweet, Thou mai en rom slan o d f the I d f E rin. to me were ermitte inthis E a ternlan If p d s d, The li e of th ever een ew f e gr y tree, ’ T e o l hie of B r d h h nb e c f an ons ill, His an - ar woul i h d h p I d keep nrepair. — Beloved to me it is natural to me A re the eauti l woo of cot an b fu ds S l d. o r e ov e r s i Th ugh st ang , I l e d a er t ll his tre f rom woods of r T e the E inu.

Albanach es ot s an a one o r do n t d l , h weve . Chance has preserved for us some verses writtenby a poet who was confessedly both a singer and a player upon

Donca or was his na e e o his t . m he harp d M , L nx

ome e r s th o rteen n h , and h ﬂou i hed in e f u th or ﬁftee th cenur The c ure of the e -musI eI an ornin t y . pi t po t , w

ear s h a er n o ce and n ers ha n on er y , wit f lt i g v i ﬁ g t t o l g swee the s r n it t eir old master is documen p t i gs w h h y, 22 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

t r . sc na e a z ac ere re a y It would have fa i t d B l . H a ’ two verses of the oemi D i rsons rans a on p , n r. S ge t l ti

’ Grieve for himwhose voice is o er

Whenonce more called to meet with men; hos wor s o Himw e d come sl w as sighs, ever tries and a i Who fails ga n.

Never now be swells the air, Nor rolls the fair and faultless lay n e Harp he can ot s t aside, N or wa e whentrie its minstrels k , d, y.

s a i r of er e am e m be . Oth x pl y cited First, no der ’ ime mes arro O Dal w w os am ra t , co C l y, ith h e n e t di

on has n e a ove es of mo e E en ti li k d th t l li t el di s, ile ” roon un re ears a o wa co mo A . A h d d y g it s m nly “ ” ou of as ob n and w th ght R i Adair , ith its added

a e onan few e er reame a ame m C l d i lilt, v d d th t it c fro

re an . But w en omas oore wro e E r he I l d h Th M t in, t ” ear and the sme in ne e e the me o as a t il thi y , l dy w he rd once more in Irish formand took its place as the o s u t n r n ueen of on . B t he e a r r q f lk g de ing ef ai ,

r n E en ar n — as E ileenA oo ile , D li g h init an

n o r a oreo r t o a oore ca n . e appeal th t M t iv l M v , he s ng has enr c e ae ic w the sa u a on C ad m i h d G l ith l t ti , e ille ” F ailt n re ho san we comes ur e, A hu d d t u d l , s ely the m com i n a a e rad ost hearty wel e n a y l ngu g . T ition ’ ’ says the song is the outpour ing of O Daly s passion fo a ana h w a r Eileen Kavanagh . K v g as Chieftain ’ and the family dr ove O Daly out of the country and tr c e n her o er nru are i ked Eileeninto beli vi g l v u t e. C

ess came of her she a ree to marr the l now what be , g d y

24 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

D wn the e nnn the e een ce ur o to b gi i g of ight th nt y ,

ar -i s ra s e am th na the b d c t incontinue . Th n c e e pe l

th sc oo w s r . laws like a blight, and e h ls ere de t oyed Shane Claragh Mac Donnell is the last Irishmanto whomthe title of hard can accurately be given. Those who apply the name to Car olan are slips in e r use erms a onne was c us ve th i of t . M c D ll ex l i ly ’ a poet and lamented E rins misfortunes inthe great

r H was n aco nd on r manne . e r a e a ba dic a k J bit , s er cas ons e ha t n ev al oc i , h d o save his life by ﬂeei g

romhis enemes he ha n rs o T uom f i t rd hu te . J hn y, who mo rne Mac ne ﬁne am m ht u d Don ll in a l ent, ig have beena hard inthe strict sense of the termhad he een enthe ro er ra nn But he ha et b giv p p t i i g. d to g such educationas he could inthe hedge schools c asses e r oa wa un er the cano ea en l h ld by d y , d py of h v , and taught by men who risked imprisonment as Catholic schoolmasters to give Irishmen the educa

E venthe ar c sess ons e at tionthey wanted . b di i h ld

rure and ar e e ere oe s rec e i B e Ch l vill , wh p t it d n

v r o th eo e we e s r s . fr iendly ri al y bef re e p pl , r upp e sed The hard must tread the higher walks of poetry ; ’ his verse must tell of Ireland s past or voice her as

n t ere re e e ca ur ou pirations. Whe , h fo , p opl ll T l gh ’ ” r s h O Carolan the Last of the Ba d , t ey are guilty ’ ’ of Balina are aro ans of a so ec sm. c nr l i O o o g , C l

d a mus a a r e himanoirﬁdea h c n. s p t on, call d , i i Thi

ame is too arrow o e er to be accurate. Car an n n , h w v , ol was a h arpist of remarkable skill though the story

emnamthe is n s of his having vanquished G i , d ti gui hed

a of s mus be r e e a e to the violinist , ina tr i l kill t , l g t d THE BARDS AND MI N I STRELS 25

’ mo of a He earn ha mus c an com li b f ble. did t t i i s mndation o er or rec n como on e , h wev , by c ti g a p siti

v i t was which had beenaltered to decei e h m. Bu it inoriginal compositionthat Carolanshowed his real

en s s s n s nd a es e me o ous g iu . Hi o g a h rp piec ar l di a u c a ac r i s hi ms a e irn nd f ll of h r te , n pite of s i t k n i

o on r tationof Corelli . As a p et he w wide celeb ity, though he r arely essayed anything but sentimental

r n s ca e fo th mos ditties and d i king song , dedi t d r e t

o h m ave one ar to his a r ns. a e p t p t Wh t ight h d , if — he had had his sight he was blind fromyouth up and if he had had such a musical tr aining as fell to

n e conec ure ee o n ac or an e cano b . e B h H d l , ly j t d B th v ,

an n o er a few of his son s was u c to rce v gl ci g v g , q i k pe i e th s i m T h s or o e geniu n the . e t ies t ld of Carolan s ow e a -s r ch a m him b i h e rou en e an. h to h g pi it d , iv l s g tl

I his ou he had a s ee ear r e ru se n y th w th t, B idg t C i , w ose name ves i one of his son s en the h li n g . Wh

a r had n ar t en ears and more aro p i bee p ted w ty y , C lanwent ona pilgrimage to the wild locality known ’ s s r a or As s s n om o t e a a r c Pu . s e f h St . P t i k g t y i ti g c man i a fﬁcu ace he oo the an of a o p y n di lt pl , t k h d ” a the w r of m ss he e c a me l dy . By o d y go ip, x l i d, ” d s e that is the hand of Br idget Cruise. An he pok

r u The e so e is s enou but cou t th . pi d light gh ; it ld

n a e a ene an e raor nar man I n o ly h v h pp d to xt di y . ’ h a s aro an s e O F l nn t t is l st illne s C l a k d y , he butler a

er or the r es ence of his f e on atr on for a Ald f d, id li l g p , ’ Fl nn ave himsome wh s e and a er drink . O y g i k y , ft

ff aro a a resse his a en an i dr aining it o , C l n dd d tt d t n the following verse THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ I have travele roun ri r nr d d, ght th ou gh Conns cou t y, And I have found millions strong and valiant ; B m a sm v n i ut, by y b pti , I ne er fou d nany part ’ n w o enche m rs ri t n O e h qu d y thi t ght, bu WilliamO Flyn .

’ wa the s as of enus an It s la t ﬂ h the poet s g i , d soon a erwar s h osed his s i ea The ft d e cl eye n d th . butler at Alderford should not be confused with that ’ ’ churlish O Flynnwho once refused O Carolanadmis

t a i th o a sion o the wine cell r . H m e p et immort lized inanir onical quatr ain

’ Dermod O Fl nn Alas ! O y , That it is not you who guard the door of hell F or it is you who would not let anyone approach you

Wherever you would be doorkeeper .

’ enthe ne s of aro ans ea ot a roa the Wh w C l d th g b d,

r h v r c whole count y poured forth to do imre e ene.

r me at o i and rotes a a wer Sixty cle gy n, C h l c P t nt like, e

r e ove th a and present at the fune al . Th y l d e mn knew that he stood f or something that was best in

h r s ce The wa e as e our a s an aro t e I i h ra . k l t d f d y d C ’ r rmo o ne th w s l r M s . e men lan o d f iend, D t , j i d e o “ ” mourner s to wee as she sa for her oor , p, id, p ” en eman the ea of ri s mus c . ard man e g tl , h d I h i H i t lls how oneach s ide of the h all was placed a keg of ” wh s w as r e ens e as o enas em i key, hich w pl i h d ft pty . N or was the dead manwithout fr iends to mournhim

s ou ave o e His ad innumbers he himelf w ld h l v d .

ament w c Dr n m wro e a i . Si erso irer, Mac Aib, t l h h g has put into English

m woun in m an uish My grief, y d g, y g , ic n s lon My s k es g, T HE BARDS AND MI N I STRELS 7

Thy sweet harp-chords now languish

Without touch or song. Who hence shall ma e s k mu ic, vying ’M d hi i c efs f or aye, Since thou m rien rt l n , y f d, a yi g Cold in the clay? n St. ra cis nic li en t. omi F , S D , st ,

St. Clare and all, Ye host of th sain e ts, who glisten ’ On heavens high wall ; ’ Give welcome to Torolach s spirit our ram r amo Y pa ts ng, And the voice of his harp hear it Wit orio on h gl us s g.

When re an os her n e en ence ormanand I l d l t i d p d , N S axon did all they could to upr oot everything that

e th ol r er ar ns r and ca e d . ar er m e r e ll d o d B d, h p , i t l,

r - e er ose ener a ne the r sh enr sto y t ll , th who t t i d I i g t y

w t the oe r and mus c of t e r ra e were r e i h p t y i h i c ,

ar e th nva r c a r g d d by e i de s with pe uli r displeasu e. B ut the things which made the foreigners hate the

w o e ar s r e en eare em all r an s of the h l ti t t ib , d d th to k

s e v n th E sh o th Iri h peopl . E e e ngli f e Pale came

u n er the s e and sre ar n th w v d p ll , di g di g e la , they ga e

the s n ers os a e enerta nm i g h pit bl t i ent . The gravest charges brought against the brother hood were licentiousness and enmity towards the

is ens r c om a t E n . e n O gl h Sp pl i s of he bar ds that, S

far romns ru c n oun me inmor a sc f i t ti g y g n l di ipline, they do themselves more deser ve to be sharply disci plined ; for they seldomuse to choose unto themselves the doing of good men for the ornaments of their poems ; but whomsoever they ﬁnd most licentious in 28 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

e mos o and aw ess nhis s ms da lif , t b ld l l i doing , o t n gerous and desperate inall parts of di sobedience and r e i n him e set and r int eir r mes eb ll o , th y up glo ify h hy , him e ra se the eo e and to o n men th y p i to p pl , y u g ” t w r is n a e make anexample o follo . The e i this st t ment a kind of truth that is more misleading than

ow r ht n The es ec a a or es of the d nig lyi g. p i l f v it bards were the paganheroes Cuchullinand FinnMac

oo s nand Caoilte men ose ves do not s are C l, Oi i , wh li qu w r s anmor a But ne t er for a mat ith Ch i ti lity. i h , th t ter the l ves of some of the E n s n s c , do i gli h ki g , whi h

a es are ma e n a s Y et enser never Sh k pe d i to pl y . Sp

s a a ns th mmra o a ar prote ted g i t e i o lity f Sh kespe e. ’ There is probably some truth inSpenser s assertion that the bards led the chieftains into riotous excess ;

s to s o t a i so o n h r a but he fail h w, h t, n d i g, t ey we e f ll ing any lower inthe moral scale thantheir contem

n r a a a oraries of En a ne a . p gl d, F c , Sp in nd It ly Of this we may be sure : the off enses of the bards would o have attr acted little attention, if their poems had nt beenanexpressionof the unconquerable spiri t of the Ir ish race

fi n mi ” The rmresolve ot to sub t or yield.

It would be folly to adv ance onbehalf of the bards any claimto virtue higher thanthe prevalent mor a of e r me he re ar s an ha the lity th i ti . T y we ti ts d d ’ ar s i s s But e w re at as ti t s prod gal di po ition. th y e le t ’ as virtuous livers as the frequenters of Chaucer s Tabard ; the example they set was as innocent as that THE BARDS AND MI N I STRELS 29 of the brotherhood of the Mermaid ; they were as staunch upholders of the ten commandinents as the a courtiers of QueenEliz beth . ’ Spenser s indictment is based onthe assumption that there is something inherently vicious and per verse inr e e ona a nst r s ru e He viliﬁes the b lli g i B iti h l . Irish bards with the same pen that exalts Queen

a no a a on v r u n He Eliz beth i t a p r g of i t e a d beauty . ’ wa nru e no esmon s ma or of o man s i t d d i t D d n Kilc l , and part of the estate of 8028 acres and chief rents ma e o er himha e o e t Lor d v to d b l ng d o d Thetford . He came over to Ireland a str anger ; he never learned the language of the people and there still exist rec ords of complaints made against himof encroaching on his ne h ors a n the an o o r r o s ig b , t ki g l d f p o e f lk , wasting the wood and turning the cornto his own a c un His mo is eroc ous even or a ss c o t . o d f i f confe ed enm for he e i ra e vocat a o e y, d l be t ly ad es p licy the oh j cet of which is to drive the Irish into such straits that they will consume themselves and devour one another Y et Spenser is forced to admit the art and in ventionof the ar s he o b d , though nly knew their work

s a at econd h nd . ” Yes r he a s ve , t uly, s y , I ha caused diverse of

em be r ans a e n me a m h u r th to t l t d u to , th t I ig t nde stand them; and surely they savor ed of sweete witt and o inen on t e ot t g od v ti , bu skill d n of he goodlye ornamentes of poetrye ; yet were they sprinckled with some re owers of the r owne t v p tty ﬂ y na urall de ise, w a e od race and ome ness un m hich g v go g c li to the , 30 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND the w c it is rea itt so a s th hi h g t p ye to see e bu ed, to e

rac n of w c e nss a v c w ic w w g i g i k d e nd i e, h h ould ith i ” o a ser b aut f a a o v r u . go d us ge, ve to e ye nd d rne i t e If the bardic poetry had not shown a spirit nu

uerabl r s and a ona its mora w u conq y I i h n ti l, lity o ld

e r a e eenca e in ues on But the v r ues of nve h v b ll d q ti . i t the bar ds wer e sanctiﬁed and holy traitors to

h ove r an nd fo t a a e m. e the T ey l d I l d a , r h t f ult, th y s uff ere msre resena on w n imr sonmen con d i p t ti , a t, p i t,

cat on ea s ut ersecu onco x ﬁs i , d th it elf. B no p ti uld e tin uish e r a r o ism F or cenur es e r e r g th i p t i t . t i th i po t y and e r mus e a v th na ona r an th i ic k pt li e e ti l spi it d,

the wor as s for e r ea ess mnumen if ld k th i d thl o t, it may be found inthe long line of cruel exactments by ' which the English government vainly tried to eﬁ ect

e rmna n their xte i tio . As long ago as the Parli ament assembled at Kil

enn E war the r in 1 8 th r s k y by d d Thi d, 67 , e Ba d , minstrels and rhymours entered upon their long

rt r o E war and his ser o w ma y d m. d d advi s nted ith alarmthat life inIreland was fast turning Normans an s n r s men and t d Engli h i to I i h , they suspected he bardic company of animportant part inthe trans

o m o To c ec the roces h ar a is f r ati n. h k p s t e P li ment sued a mandate to the sheriff and seneschal of the

r t enn or th ener a m libe y of Kilk y, f bidding e t t in ent

s rsons . the ar s r l m of the e pe If b ds and mint e s ight ” o e r ve o was no l ng r be ente tained, their li lih od

a en o t em ut the ar amen over-es ma e t k fr mh . B P li t ti t d it ow r An w c ma e treasono ner s p e . act hi h d high f i t mar riage betweenthe invaders and the native popula

82 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

Anact was passed directed against poets and musi ' cians indiﬂ erentl rou n em er the one con y, g pi g th und ” t m r mers r a temp uous na e of hy . It sets fo th th t “ s m ms the e rhy ours by their ditties and rhy e , ma to vers or s and en emen in re an de di l d g tl I l d, to t ommn a nand rais f to on a e he c e d tio high p e o ex rti , r p , r av nand o er nus ce encour a e ese or and i th i j ti , g th l ds gentlemen rather to follow these vices thanto leave ” Th c con u s a for m the them. e a t tin e Th t aking said rhymes rewards are givenby the said lords and gentlemen and concludes th at F or the abolishing ” of o e nous Off ense r ers be a en. The s h i an , o d t k nature of those orders may be gathered fromthe fact ’ t rie ar o Thomond an e ree oe s. tha O B n, E l f , h g d th p t

8 ir ucas on c ie ar on was r ere I n1 57 , S L Dill , h f b , o d d to uns all ma e ac ors meann ere all re e s p i h l f t , i g th by b l ,

mr and r s a ers He o e e an n rhy e s I i h h rp . b y d by h gi g

n To r i or o e a re o . a priest and R ry og , b h d N th

c ow of ar s r mrs and o er o r ous Wi kl B d , hy e th nto i ” ma e ac o s he ssue r c ama on l f t r , i d a p o l ti , warning themthat they would be whipped if they were caught inthat part of the countr y after tendays and with

ea a er wen a s d th ft t ty d y . These orders and enactments were part of a gen eral policy whi ch aimed at the destructionof all that s avore of r s cus omor d I i h t spirit. The temper of the government may be gathered fromarticles between ’ Sir o nO Reill and the r s r c i J h y I i h p ivy ounc l, dr awn in1 58 4 Sir o . J hnis expressly forbiddento assemble ’ the ueens eo le u onthe bills to e r r q p p p , k ep b ehons o ' to suﬂ er the brehonlaw to be used withinhis coun THE BARDS AND MI N I STRELS 88

“ tr . as He is not t w the y L tly, o use or keep ithin

ouse an r s ar car ro h o r mer to h y I i h b d, g e r hy ; but, the mos his o er s l rem e the same rom ut t of p w , hal ov f ” r his count y. But the bards and minstrels were not to he si lenced i 0 the or u e a of uns er . So, n1 6 6, l d lie t n nt M t

ssue a roc ama on or er n the mars als of the i d p l ti , d i g h province to exterminate by martial law all manner ” f ar s r rs t w o a c . b d , h pe , e This as no unauthorized act of tyranny ; it was the mature determinationof the o mn T e a a ss anc t g vern e t. nd ys fter the i u e of he man a e ueenE a e wro e to or a mor d t , Q liz b th t L d B rry e, ordering him to h ang the harpers wherever found ” s ro e r s r m s and de t y th i int u ent . With what thoroughness the government policy was carr ied out we may learn froma poemwritten

one of the roscr e ar s n r as by p ib d b d , A d e Mac Mar

o 1 0 Th ns a c u s a 6 7 . e ra onis Dr Si er i , b ut t l ti by . g

8 0 11

omes a eartless s e H re h , harp in f tters, uerdons none f or menof letters G , an ets non er mee B qu e, nor m ry tings : ’ ills rin not the Chase s reetins H g g g .

Sons of war m no he tron r g ake art s ge , on of a e i i on S gs pe c nsp re no l ger, I n reat alls a clos of da g h t e y, ’ Soun no more our athers la s d f y .

While the musicians of the Elizabethan court wer e writing downIrish tunes for fair ladies to play on the v r ina s the me who san os s e same i g l , n g th e lf ' unes in re n r r ersec on The ex t I la d we e suﬂ e ing p uti . 84 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND perience of Mac Marcuis was typical of the fate that bad e a enthe w o e une u r hr n ar of b f ll h l t f l b et e . A h d

h r h inth ser v c of a n t e No t , e i e A edh (Hugh) M c A g

sa who had ﬂe the o nr av ho , d c u t y, le ing his dependant

r ec or ess e c aims p ot t l , x l

I f a sage of song should be I n wa f o the ge o c urt or king, allow r a He ! the g s ba s the w y, h l A ro or t A since c f mp t ook wing.

Under the rule of James the First the persecution of bards and minstrels went onhand inhand with the planting of the lands of the Irish chiefs with Eng ’ s and co ch s ler s o nive h e e . u 1 20 O G li h S t tt Ab t 6 , , c i f hard of the a s Clanbo comos a a en for Ni l of y, p ed l m t

is r c r e re s v rs s ar c o n h ba di b th n. The e e e e ana c u t of what was actually taking place under the eye of the

e hims mar e out for es ruc on po t, elf k d d t ti .

l Fallen the land of earned men, The bardic band is fallen; None now learn the song to sing n For lo g our fernis fading. Scanthe schools made hard to steer ’ I n Ulster s land and Leinster ; ’ Southward tis so ; nine inten ro fin nd f h v en F m e a oe a e fall . nnc r or n Co a ht, c afty f ge of so g, n 18 also hurled headlo g. Doomand gloomhave hushed the harp ; n rooui no rama For us o , p rt.

During the war between Charles and the

llians ar r mns re s an an er n mus ans we , h pe s, i t l d w d i g ici THE BARDS AND MI NI STRELS 85 had to rr e e s of en a ion ma e ut th c a y l tt r id tiﬁc t , d o by e

a a th a mgistr te of e pl ce to which they belonged.

o rs o o e With ut those pape they c uld nt trav l . When the Cromwellians gained the upper hand musical in struments of all n s ere es ro e or ans in ki d w d t y d, g churches because the Puritans thought the organ

o ss th ar c us t g dle , e h p be a e it helped to keep alive he ” a n s c v n o r . n inhi Cambrensis E ers s ti al pi it Ly h, s u , “ sa s t te 1 4 e ar wa o r y hat, Af r 6 1 th h p s br kenwhe ever it could be found and thus all memory of its formand mater ials will be unknownand lost to our immediate posterity But Lynch underrated his ’ t r a counrymens sec etiveness and ten city.

hrou ou he a a s o c s T gh t t penl d y , f llowing the ac e s on o amof ran e o nto the m e i f Willi O g , d w iddl of the e een centur oe and mns re s ar the ight th y, p t i t l h ed

a e of the ersecute c er e o owe e r f t p d l gy. Th y f ll d th i

ro ess o s ea h i a i and p f i n by t lt , hid ng aw y n glens ca es une r e ee ers as e were une v , h t d by p iz s k wolv s h t d in a s o old Y et ar u e r lot was d y f . h d tho gh th i , it had init something her oic which compens ated f or man m r s u awe and s rac e h y ise ie . O tl d o t iz d t ough

e wer se menre resene the anc en ul ure th y e, the p t d i t c t o t o em f E rin, and he people l ved th .

owar the mi the e nt r T ds ddle of ightee h centu y , th ann r n n T e anc en s s e long tyr y wo e to a e d. h i t ong were heard in the land once more ; but the bardic

r e wa ea Mensomet mes sa the r s ar o d r s d d. i y I i h h p is dead likewise ; but that is no true word : the genius which made the harp of E rinfamous through out Christendomwill yet awakenit to new life. 86 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

What would we not ive for the autobiography —g of one of the old bards the chronicling of his daily

o n s the oman he mve amn and the s enes d i g , c p y o d o g, c he saw? It would be one of the most interesting

s i the w r er a s the un ar es e reas book n o ld . P h p h v t d t ure of Gaelic hidden away inold rooms may bring to light some su ch story and enable us to look on - the past through eyes which saw as no latter day a o se historianc nh pe to e. o s Fortunately f r u , the darkness which enshrouds the lives of the bar ds does not cloak fromview the s o o th a ers ese me od o s ser rs of t ry f e h rp . Th l i u vito the Gael were the peculiar interest of that first seri o s nv a r n h s c o r sh son u i estig to i to t e ubj e t f I i g,

n a hi w oss . m e es E dward Bunti g Th nks to , p s a c omparative abundance of curious lore concerning

r th a pe formers on e h rp . It has already beenshownwhat animportant part the harp played among the Irish of pre-Chr istian how h a n days and , after t e people h d beenco verted

th a o r s e en ur c men s th to e f ith f Ch i t, v ch h u ed e

t coman emse v i s n instrument o ac p y th l es n ingi g. Irish literature shows that down to modern times the harp never ceased to be the musical instrument

w re erenc to a rs of the hole people in p f e ll othe .

ar man uo s an s or re an r t n H di q te MSS . hi t y of I l d, w it e in 1 now i the r ar of the r s a m 686, n lib y I i h Ac de y,

i r w o s o t cor wh ch th o s vivid light nthi p in. Ac ding to this authority The Irish are much addicted to music generally and you will find very few of their

enr e t er menor omen but can a g t y, i h w , pl y uponthe THE BARDS AND MI NI STRELS 87 harp ; also you shall ﬁnd no house of any account

h t one or two of ese nstr mens and e wit ou th i u t , th y always keep a harper to play for themat their m ims a a eals and all other t e , so often s they have desire to recreate themselves or others which come ” us to their ho e. N0 body of men ever led more picturesque lives

a id ese a rs s t a th nd th h rpe , in pite of he fact th t they were often chosen for their profession because of

aﬂ ict o of in ss e a e s the i n bl dne . Th y pl y d f or king and a a a gre t l dies ; they tr veled far and wide and, w w r o a a hen they e e dead, Sc tl nd and Ireland qu r

l r e s ss o e e r e ed ove th ir po se i n, as the sev n fair citi s ’ e mer r n Cahan quarrel d over Ho . Ro y dall (bli d) O , in t s s r r a r n i a Sco ti h to y Ro y d ll Mo iso , s c lled by ” th s r a rs He was Bunting, e ﬁr t of ou later h rpe .

onem rane us t ames the rs who sent for c t po o wi h J Fi t, hi ac a r mand pl ed the roy l hand onhis shoulde . A ’ courtier felicitated O Cahanonthe honor that had

m r a e a ms has befallen hi . A g e t r th n King Ja e ” a e i a m o er s or Who pl c d h s h nd on y sh uld , aid R y . ’ ” wa t a man? r e in ames O N eill s re s h t, c i d K g J . , i , s the ar er Onano er s n a E n aid h p . th occa io , L dy gli toun peremptorily bade himplay a certain tune ;

n the se and e the but Rory, indigna t at slight, ro l ft c ut the ame e resse her s rr w and the astle. B d xp d o o

s a or r He ro the t ne Da mu ici n f gave he . w te u , m mnum n e of rec n li n ihi a i tok n o ci atio . There is the closest connectionbetween the min

r a d ameson st elsy of Scotland and th t of Irelan . J ” inhis Letters f romthe North of Scotland says 88 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

a l w t nthe memor o rs ns s n th t Til i hi y f pe o till livi g, the school for Highland poetr y and music was I re land and thither professional menwere sent' to be ” s i a s accompli hed n those arts . Eminent h rper

asse a re- asse w t e two r s The p d nd p d bet een h count ie . Hebrides and the Scotch Highlands were a sure asylumfor Irish bards and harpers intime of per ’ scon on One ar er omas O Connellan e ti . h p , Th , th y mad a e o E in ur on cre s e b illi f d b gh . Traditi dit ’ O Connellan with the compos ition of The Dawn ing of the Day and Planxty Davis ( also known ’ as The Battle of Killiecrankie O Connellan is further said to have takeninto Scotland the orig ” a Loc a r e om s o o w as inl h be , th c po iti n f hich is ’ e ill o ill cor a o signd to Miles O Re y f K in r , C unty

a an onnella mse was a na ve of loona C v . C nhi lf ti C ma on o and he e at Lou h rm un h , inSlig , di d g gu , Co ty

r n om as a mr c e o e 1 00. e a w Li e i k, b f 7 Wh Th s de d,

rot r au nce a to the com his b he L re , s id be poser of l ” wh Molly McA pin, f or ich Moore wrote Re ” memer the or es of r an the ra e en b Gl i B i B v , w t to ’ co and a n himhis rot er s m s S tl , t ki g with b h co po i

ons The ame of the r ers ﬁl e the w o e ti . f b oth l d h l

a orthland o E r an Anode to G elic N , b th in d Alba. ’ WilliamO Connellan attributes his power over the

h s r on a a r an a n strings to t e inpi ati of f i y, expl natio o s s il a as a an re an f mu ical k l s old p g I l d.

’ There is no heart s desire Can be felt by a king That thy hand cannot snatch r Fromthe soul of the st ing.

40 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

v r is w n er in a . er a s the ice, the e little o d th t P h p greater marvel is that most of thembehaved so

l san low r e r old es a e. decently. Sti l they k f omth i t t

th s oc t h orsh rs w en a Imagine e h k o t e w ippe , h Th dy “ Elliott struck up Planxty Conor in the most

a s to aec m solemn par t of the Mass. Th dy u ed o pany the service at NavanChapel onhis harp and

r t t he was guilty of this g oss irreverence o wina be .

ré m r on aw o a e Under the old gi e, the B eh l w uld h v

m e himo t s re unshmen ut o he et d u eve p i t. B nw t Brehons were no more -the harper was a master

ss ma and it a a a ns the law sa as s le n w s g i t to y M .

wen eenan who e on to the same a e as E O K , b l gs g lli — — ott the ﬁrst half of the eighteenth century marks

the same sure eca ence of the c ass He e in d d l . f ll

ove w th th renh erness of his a ron Mr l i e F c gov p t , .

w r o ookst n ou n Ste a t, f C ow , C nty Tyr o e, and, not w s an n his nness he r e mu a e ith t di g bli d , t i d to e l t ’ Romeo and climb to his lady s window by a rope

a er But his mas er a e hi or o se l dd . t j il d mf a h u

a r n w im ow re e . ee an ou e h e r o t b k K t itt d , h ve , f r h e

m t as not e a e . e l n ar er ti l t A h r b i d h p , Higgins by ’ name ma e the a er s e n s o h s , d j il wif dru k, t le t e key and l er a e his r end who w a bo onhis ac ib t d f i , , ith y b k, ma e his sca eena w r c w r e . as e a re o e d pe K n ptu d , h ev , and came within an ace of conviction at the as s es h a s iz . Then e emigr ted to America with hi

li wh o so h i Mawl ro o an u o r im. r J et, f ok S by C ft n d ot er ofﬁ cers u r re at swe o o how nan h , q a te d O g , t ld Kee

am ere uarr e e w the coman m c e th , q l d ith p y, beat the THE BARDS AND MI N I STRELS 41 very prettily and took a Miss Willi ams fromthem

all.

Some such promiscuous amorist of the harp is ” i osh awn celebrated nthat old song, the S een B , ” v s o a ar er or The White Co erlet . It tell h w h p c alled at a farmhouse and played the gallant with ’ ' the rich housewife s daughter with such eﬁ rontery ’ n r id as to rouse the latter s ire. Determi ed to get of mshe as e himto e her to w s a s raw hi , k d h lp t i t t

o Th nsus ec n ar er consene As he r pe. e u p ti g h p t d. twisted the r ope he had to back away fromthe good w and w en he had asse the res o she ife, , h p d th h ld, sl m e oor inhis ace I nthe o ow n erse ame h . d t d f f ll i g v ,

r the ar er i a in translated by D . Hyde, h p s ple d g his suit with the daughter of the house

thou ar mine be mine white love of m r If t , , y hea t; tho rt mine be mine da and ni h If u a , by y by g t ; th r mine ver enshrine inth he rt If ou a t , e d y a And my mis fortune and misery that thou art not with me in he evenin o wife t g f r .

The maidenanswers

D o hear me o sill w ar m ve o y u , y u y, ho e aking lo ? et rn ome a ain and rem anothe e as R u h g ain r y ar you are.

To which the harper rej oins

into the ouse where the ri t 1 came h , b gh love of my heart was nd e t me ut twistin t A th hag pu o , g of the Suggaun ( s raw

rape) .

T e o w so a he ml dy with hich this song is as ci ted, 42 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

w s n of the o e is er ec ex m e The T i ti g R p , a p f t a pl

ar ar s wa a most the de of the wayw dly ti tic. It s l

o r n r o e for How ear spair of M o e, whe he w t it, d ” our h escr s as one of t se to me the h , and e d ibe it ho

il senimena ra es w l o be eas to w d t t l k hich it wi l nt y. ” i ninso er e c w e t e dow b w dlo k ith po try. For tunately for the precision of our knowledge

anc en wa of a n th a n of the i t y pl yi g e h rp, Bunti g enj oyed the privilege of the f riendship of Denis

ems n an old ar er who orn i 1 5 e K p o , h p , b n 69 , liv d to the a r arc a a e of 1 1 2 n n s s a p t i h l g . Bu ti g ay th t he realized the antique picture drawn by Cam

s nd a e o brenis a G lil i , f r he played with long crooked na s and in his er ormance the h il , p f , tinkling of t e small res un er the ee n es t ss wi d d p ot of he ba , was ” H o peculiar ly thr illing. emps n lost his sight by sma o en a bo and h was u t a llp x, wh y, e ta ght he h rp ’ r e O ahan f or as Hemson a conﬁ rm by B idg t C , , p s id, ing the statement made in the manuscript history

ov s w quoted ab e, I n tho e old days, omen as well as men were taught the Irish harp in the best families and every old Irish family had harps in ” s how i a n m abundance Bunting tell , npl yi g, He p

t s r n s e weenthe es and th a l son got he t i g b t ﬂ h e ni ,

t e o er ar er s who u e b the es no lik th h p , p ll d it y ﬂ hy

a He ha a part of the ﬁngers lone. d an admir ble

f a n s ac a o and e a in h c method o pl yi g t c t l g to, w i h he could runthrough rapid divisions inanastonish

Hi n ers la o er the s r n s insuc ing style. s ﬁ g y v t i g h a ma ne a w enthe s ro e was w one n er n r th t , h t k ith ﬁ g ,

r a th ra ons the other was instantly e dy to stop e vib ti , THE BARDS AND MI NI STRELS 48 so that the staccato passages were hear d in full ” erfe o p cti n. Bunting did his best to encourage the perform ance of the Irish harp by promoting annual meet in s and c m t old ar ers e g o petitions. But he h p di d of? an seeme d there were few to learntheir art. It d as though the harp were irrevoc ably doomed to ex

n n But r s an u a e and ti ctio . so too did the I i h l g g , to- n The day Gaelic is being revived all over E ri . n Ir ish genius which made the harp what it was ca r esusc a e th and the ms it t e old glory of the harp, u ic of the ancient Gael will be hear d in the land once mr o e. HOW THE SONGS CAME DOWN TO US

THE bards and musicians formindividual strands inthe traditionwhich links us with the Celtic past. — Another strand is the people themselves the com

a n ers r m ure e mon e e the eas nr . p opl , p t y Si g f o p lov ,

ac e save men musicians untaught by any te h r God, and men romch d a e ore e r art wo , f ildhoo to g , b th i p ’ r o s n inpreserving Ireland s bi thright f o g. A truly remarkable circumstance about this tr adi tionis the fact that until recent times it was inde

r te cor The r s man not pendent of w it n re d. I i h did know what it was not to tr ust to his memory ; to this day the Irish piper r arely makes use of notes ; as for the eo e at ar e e san the unes e ause p pl l g , th y g old t b c they could not remember the time whenthey did not

o m mot e r n knw the . A h r c oo ed their infancy with lullabies ; the sound of the spinning song was as familiar to themas the glow of the peat on the

ear o c ns ous eff ort t arn a h th. With ut o ci , hey le ed nme o so s w c ecame ar o e n u b r f ng hi h b p t f th ir bei g,

e the an a e e s o e r a ns a ness lik l gu g th y p k . St i of gl d and s rrow unes e e t th as s of a i o , t w dd d o e t k d ily l fe,

e a t s l ft nindelible impress on he mind. It is infact like these that we must seek anexplanationof the sur va of r s m c vi l I i h usi .

ma be o ec e a s c t on It y bj t d th t, though u h a tradi i w ll o f or a m f e era ons t o s i h ld good nu ber o g n ti , i d e 46 HOW THE SONGS CAME DOWN TO US 45 not furnish suﬁicient grounds for belief inthe high antiquity attributed to many examples of Irish me our s av s e ar or th wr r lody. I n l i h r g d f e ittenwo d, we are apt to forget the tenacity of the human m W n a o r n a a emory. e eed C le idge to remi d us th t fact once apprehended by the humanmind is r etained for ver we or is not ecaus the c r e . If f get , it b e re o d h es r e t a s t ro o m as beend t oy d, bu bec u e he th ng f i

s s r s i s n su a o c pres ion p event t comi g to the r f ce. T u h the r no e su est and w mr a w ight t of gg ion it ill e e ge ne . But the life of the Ir ish peasant was simpler than the e we ea -da The c amers of the emor lif l d to y. h b m y had ewer ues s an e were rta n f g t d th y better ente i ed .

I the w r of m ern e s nc n mr ss on n hi l od xi te e, o e i p e i crowds upon another so quickly that our mind is

r ra er a a s cess o o c r a blu , th th n uc i n f easily re ove a e ma es I f it be true as we ar e a the bl i g . , told, th t

r es of the E as were an e r a om litu gi t h d d downo lly, fr mas er no e for un reds ears and s t to vic , h d of y , thu

res r i e or na ur r ca o p e ved nth ir igi l p ity, the e nbe n diﬁ culty in believing in the perpetuation of Irish

in e en en of an r en r ec r or ms . F u ic, d p d t y w itt o d ms s ec a en is assoc a e w t wor s u ic, e p i lly wh it i t d i h d , is inﬁnitely easier to remember than liturgical s n s e tence . The Irish musician was not deemed competent unless he knew his music as per fectly as the story

r r c o tellers knew the tales of Dei d e and FinnMa Co l. That is the reason why no use was made of nota

it a en ou necessar to wr e o n tion. If h d be th ght y it d w

h s u eas ave one the old tunes, t e Iri h people co ld ily h d 46 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAND

- a eo e s metimes r sh it none better th nthey . P pl o u

s a ause the old me es ere to the conclu ionth t, bec lodi w

ot recor e the ris ms a e een nrant of n d d, I h u t h v b ig o

a ea o s r s notation. An pp l t hi to y will quickly di

s a a Th nas er es of a and ms s . e m l i thi f ll cy o t i St. G l

a s n r enow e romth e t R ti bo , nd f e b ginning f or he culti

on the re or a c an ere o vati of G g i n h t , w f unded by

ris men e wee ese r at e r o ms c I h . B t nth g e c nte s f u i al l rnn and re an ere w c n a o s ea i g I l d th as onti u l inter c ur e.

I t is o v o s ere ore a the r s had s b i u , th f , th t, if I i h cho en to r e own e r me es ns ea em w it d th i lodi , i t d of leaving th

the sa e uard n u ar rememr e e to f g i g of pop l b anc , th y

cou a e ne so. e r ow s a me ld h v do Th i n priest , t ho , were thoroughly conversant with the Gregoriannota tion and could easily have used it f or secular pur

oses as it was se in er nr t never p u d oth cou t ies. Bu it

urre em T er s e occ d to th to do so. he Irish ch i h d their songs so dearly th at artiﬁcial aids to memory

o ave s ruc em s a nee ess mr a ce w uld h t k th a dl encu b n . The monstrous idea that the old tunes could die only dawned onthe Celtic mind inanage of deca

ene E ven ersecu onwa wer ess s ress d c . p ti s po l to upp

emf or the erse ors emse ve am n er e r th , p cut th l s c e u d th i s e mr an erou e em was th ra ua p ll . A o e d g s n y e g d l

f eo Th s r w c a e Anglicizationo the p ple. e pi it hi h md people whip their children for talking Irish was ' l e i e ree aﬁ ectionfor r s s n s But ittl l k ly to b d I i h o g .

e a n of as am e The a am th de dlies t e emy all w f in. c l i ties of the years 1 845-6 did more to destroy I re ’ land s music thaneither the intolerance of the Saxon

th T l o s s or e ne es o the e . he o d e supi n s f C lt f lk , tho natural depositaries of tradition and lovers of the

48 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND penetrating into little frequented parts of the ’ o nr some mes w C r fo ma n al c u t y, ti ith O u ry r co p nio , ways with his faithful notebook and his beloved v o n i li . When we feel grateful to Thomas Moore for

The n th a ers w a s w an s Meeti g of e W t , e l o o e th k

eor e e r e who ownthe air romthe to G g P t i , took d f singing of anold peasant womaninSligo and thus

un the oe hi ns ra n To e r e me o fo d p t s i pi tio . P t i l dy was that divine essence without which music is as

so ss o a al a na a rs h on a ulle b dy nd, of l ntio l i , e c sidered ose of E r nthe mos ea u Yet th i t b utif l . , with the mo es of a rue sc o ar he e e hi wor as d ty t h l , b littl d s k a o lec o ca e a o a recrea on w ereas c l t r , ll d it h bby, ti , h , i rea was the e wor of a ma w ose s r t n lity, it lif k n h pi i ” was ﬁnely touched to music and destined to do a work for E rinworthy to r ank with the achieve

s o he r a s warr ors nd s es He oo ment f r g e te t i a ag . t k almost inﬁnite p ains to secure a correct r ecord of

n w ou not us ca the so gs he noted do n. Th gh a m i l

a o ere re a e to unessen a ped g gue and, th fo , li bl ti l

w r s a w not no e errors hich a p eci i n ould fall i t , P trie had the greater gifts of a ﬁne ear and a keensense

r m e t s ss sse t wn of hyth . Add d o thi he po e d he cro ing virtue of a philosophic conception of the way

c - s or inwhich a colle tor of folk songs hould do his w k . He never fell into the sinof which Moore and his

ms ca o a o a or ir oma te v nso ere u i l c ll b r t , S Th s S e n, w so oftenguilty he never modiﬁed anancient melody

o a a His ones to suit mdish ideas of music l be uty. h ty was invincible ; he set downwhat he hear d with the exactitude of anarchaeologist . HOW THE SONGS CAME DOWN TO US 49

’ s o a e as e c r of him Petrie bi gr ph r h l ft us a pi tu e ,

w h of a it t o ce at ork in t e island Aran, nd is a n a charming tableau and an inspiring proof of ’ r ar s s c r Pet ie s ti tic ine ity. “ Inquiries having beenmade as to the names of ’ ersons who ha mus t a is w o w r n p d ic, h t , h e e k own

s ossess n an s n n som of th ol r an a p i g d i gi g e e d ai s , appointment was made with one or two of themto meet the members of the party at some little cottage

ear t e l a ona w c was n to h ittle vill ge of Kilr n, hi h

e r ea uar ers th i h dq t .

To s o a e e e enn e e r e w thi c tt g , wh n v i g f ll, P t i , ith his manus r mus oo a o n and a w s c ipt ic b k nd vi li , l ay

oma is r en ro esso Eu en acc p nied by h f i d, P f r g e ’ O Curr use to rocee y, d p d . Nothing c ould excel the strange picturesque ness of the scenes which night after night were thus

resene p t d.

O a roa t o se a wa s e u n pp ching he h u , l y light d p

a n ur ﬁre was see e surroun e by a bl zi g t f , it nto b d d

t s a rs w e it ner r was r ow e by he i l nde , hil s i t io c d d by

o w os r sses e ene ﬁgures ; the r i ch col rs of h e d e , h ight d

o e w s ran e v ness and by the ﬁrelight, sh w d ith a t g vi id v w e r ﬁn c nenanes ere all ani ariety, hile th i e ou t c w ma w h c r os and easure ted it u i ity pl . It would have r equired a Rembrandt to paint

sc n The mns re —s ome mes anol man the e e. i t l ti d wo , — sometimes a beautiful girl or a young man was

s a e o a low s oo inthe mne c rner w e e t d n t l chi y o , hil ’ chairs f or Petrie and O Curry were placed oppo s th re t e r e au iene remainn ite, e st of h c owd d d c i g ’ s a in T e s n avin een i en O Curr t nd g. h o g h g b g v , y 52 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ s o or e benea h ur e Queen C llege, C k , bow d th t e b d nof

e n r e n was v four score y ars a d thi t e , mo ed to send Petrie a song whi ch he had learned inchildhood fr om

r w th reat a e of 1 1 n his m e ho li e e 0. A oth , v d to g g other tune was overheard as it was sung by a little u ana d e o I n girl at the foot of Slieve G ll n not d d wn. a narrow but essential sense of the word the Petrie collection is the work of a single enthusiast ; but it could never have come into being without the loving

- r s n - o e an co ope ationof the o g l ving p ople of Irel d.

m e ese me o es ? o o no s Who co pos d th l di N b dy k w .

a wa ma e sa a e had no omoser I n y, it y b id th t th y c p ; they are a growth r ather than anindividual cr ea

n un man enera ns o enin c a es tio . S g by y g tio , ft lo liti

ar remove r mon n er a a e c ess e f d f o e a oth , d pt d su c iv ly to ms of var n sen men e a e eensu poe yi g ti t, th y h v b b

ce c n nua m ca on s r c s ave e r j t to o ti l odiﬁ ti . Di t i t h th i ownversions which contr ast curiously with one an other yet bear so strong a family likeness as to place t e e is enc of ommo r na e n ues o h x t e a c no igi l b yo d q ti n. ’ A hundred generations inE rins Forge of Song have labored half unconsciously to fr ame such masterpieces of melody as The Last Rose to give the air the nam w h is es nwn and e by hic it b t k o , ” The Coulin s sa ha he a th i . I it id t t t y l ck e m press oi individual inspiration? They have the even rarer virtue of being the musical expression of the

en s the r s eo e g iu of I i h p pl . Such is the view commonly takenby folk-lorists - to da . But wa not a a s so es a y it s lw y . L s th n a century ago E dwar d Bunting laid down the law

a mo c an s t a. e once det rmne ne er e . h t l dy e i d, v h g If HOW THE SONGS CAME DOWN TO US 53

B unting had tr aveled about the country as Petrie

id and one n the mes of the u d g i to ho people, he wo ld ne er ave ma e s a o s asser o The v h d uch fo li h ti n. tr uth would have beendriven home uponhimthat ' t ne ma e s i man rms su t di erenti a u y xi t n y fo , b ly ﬂ

one r no er i c n ur me re r m a e ma n and . t d f o th o to , t hyth

wa ev a e a s o be so Who has not I t s in it bl th t it h uld . beenhaunted by a melody which refused to crystal

n e a rm but n re i mmor lize i to x ct fo , li ge d n the e y , uncertain and nebulous ? A personof warmfancy and musical gifts will oftenunconsciously make good

a ou his own m a o a even the hi tus t of i agin ti n. It my happen that the modiﬁed tune is better than the or a n r s ms s has a en inih iginl. I I i h u ic thi h pp ed

numera e ns nces The a sence a authori bl i ta . b of n

tativ vers o c ea cou m en e i nto whi h app l ld be ade,

cour a ed c an an erson to v n to g h ge. M y p s o are gi e

var a e s e or s n th un ying wh tever th y whi tl i g. I n e musical this may be a vice ; in those who have a

a en for me is ar s se - sser on I n t l t lody it ti tic lf a ti .

r n l t r t ar ro st ume ta is s are pa icul ly p ne to this habit. They love to vary a melody insuch a way as to bring n out the ar a r s c o o u r ar . ch cte i ti s f vi li , ﬂ te o h p Both these tendencies are illustrated again and

a inth row of r s me o a d the ad ag in e g th I i h l dy, n ventures of a melody are oftentimes as interesting

a anc n as those of an individu l . Gl e f or a mome t ” a r T in. at the fortunes of that beautiful i , he Coul Traditionlinks it with anedict passed by the P ar

f l th o r teen r s liament o Kilkenny n e f u th centu y . Thi ” r s w law forbade the Degene ate Engli h, who ere fas t becoming assimilated by the native population 54 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAND and or r a e a r in f getting thei origin, to we r th ir h i the coulin or ea r ss the ris a ural h dd e of I h . N t ly r and the coa became a symbol of loyalty to E in, — the Irish maiden in the song unfortunately its — words have not come downto us is said to have expressed her preference for the lad who wore his

a r inthe na na mann e s ran r h i tio l er over th t ge . Sever al well-contrasted variants of the air of

The Coulin e me own and we hav co d to us, will e amine hree a e am es ere s the me o x t typic l x pl . H i l dy in its ms aml ar rm is a so the rm o t f i i fo , which l fo a e e r es a the ms er ect cc pt d by autho iti s o t p f .

1 110 ulin. Ex. 1 . Co

For this melody it was that Moore wrote HOW THE SONGS CAME DOWN TO US 55

Though the last glimpse of E rin with sorrow I ” ’ s i o t a r s ew s in r a s ee. It s one f he f i e t j el I el nd

r ow s n The onour has the unaff ec e c n of o g. c t t d elegance of a lily and Chopinhimself never infused greater variety of rhythmic charminto a composi

on e ro rt n How has s er ec on ti of lik p po io . thi p f ti beenarrived at ? I s The Coulin the little mas terpiece of some individual musician whose name

has not me n to us or oes re resen the co dow , d it p t

h sun In Im T O Ooullnas g C .

reﬁning labor of many generations of singers ? As su a a v is th orr for redly the l tter alternti e e c ect one ; ,

th ha me er e i a as if e s ong d co into being p f ct, l ke P ll

r w ! s e s ou ne er ﬁn an fromthe b o of eu , w h ld v d y such ingenuous versionof the strainas Teague Mac

arne in un are and ave to e r e Mahonle d Co ty Cl g P t i . The tendril-like elegancies of the familiar tune are

s ere is e ver ence too in me o c ab ent . Th wid di g l di

Y et the en of the two a rs a mts outline. id tity i d i 56 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

of no ou eas rs e d bt . R on and instinct alike pe uad us that this is near kinto the air which gradually

v o w v - de el ped into the Conlin e all lo e to d ay. Fortunately for our r ight understanding of this ineres n ro emi me c ev u on E w r t ti g p bl n lodi ol ti , d a d Bunting has preserved us an instrumental version of The Coulin whi ch goes back to the close of

h s n enh c nur n w t e e e e e . Bu n v t t t y ti g, it ill be re memere was mmiss one to wr e o nthe unes b d, co i d it d w t played by the h arpers at their famous meeting at

i 1 1 Th ms Belfast n 79 . e o t notable ﬁgure in that

was n ems m gathering De is H p on, a usicianof patri

in w ose a n n n e v h archal age, h pl yi g Bu ti g b lie ed e could discernthe remains of a noble artistic tradi

n Hemso a e for hi un r Th tio . p npl y d s yo g f iend e

ul had arne i 1 00 w s Co in as he le d it n 7 , hena cholar

r o s o f th s f t of Co nelius Ly n, ne o e la t o he heroic r o ar er s e s o is e ace f h p s. Thi v r i n h re reproduced ; ’ it shows the harper s dispositionto regard the tune he was playing as a sort of giventheme and to fret wor w ornamena onof his own ev s n k it ith t ti d i i g. I t is easy to see how a player with a touch of

s rce v n th n ss geniu , pe i i g e golde po ibilities ina simple s ra n m c nver a reat mo The t i , ight o t it into g el dy.

r m ve me o was n all e o th com p i iti l dy , i lik lih od, e out e of eel n i s m rso f ms ca nu deep f i g n o e pe n o u i l ge i s , who ma or ma no a e ee a mus an o y y t h v b n ici , f r the

t of me d e a e r is the rero a gif lo y, lik th t of po t y, p g

ve no c ass ut a r mA m Th ti of l , b gift f o l ighty God. e Clare tune probably comes nearest to the germinal s ra n er a s some ar er enr c e h the t i . P h p h p i h d it wit

58 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

i - m s mens all o v ne like e belli h t we l ve, and it ma be a the bars nr as in r m c y th t of co t t g hyth , whi h

v formso dainty anepisode inthe master ersion(E x . were added by a piper with a head full of jigs

r s u s of c urse is ure conec ure and and eel . B t thi , o , p j t aims not so much to lay downthe law concerning the growth of this particular melody as to indicate the inﬂuence commonly oper ative inthe development o r s m f I i h usic. CHAPTER I V

THE N ATURE OF I RI SH MUSI C

Em r people begins its a dult mus ical life with an equipment of notes which is its musical stock

r a e es no es r o in t d . Th e t bea a regular prop rtion one an er and rmw a ms c ans a l ca e to oth fo h t u i i c l a s l . Of scales there is a great variety owing to r acial

r e erenes inthe ma er of on The rs ar a p f c tt t e. Moo , S

ns and rabians ar n e semo c ce A e fo d of th it ne, whi h is the smallest degree of sound recognized inmodern

u s c se be e eve a e sed uar er m i . It u d to b li d th t th y u q t tones ; but the investigations of JulienTiersot tend t d scred tha v ew The un ar an ove the o i it t i . H g i s l poignant interval of the augmented second (fromE

at to s ar m the en e s t e in ﬂ F h p) . A ong anci t C lt h ter val of the whole tone was preferred above all o rs r s unes ha e come o nto us omose the . I i h t v d w c p d

f w o s n ro ess entirely o hole t ne , a d the ancestral p nen to s kip over the semitones manifests itself evento the n r s nt da . ore er man so s the a p e e y M ov , in y g , h lf tones even w en em o ed are of suc secon ar , h pl y , h d y importance that they may be omitted without prej

o th c rac f th ne he are en udiec t e ha ter o e tu . T y oft mere connecting links passing notes theorists w u d c hem—or se for ornam Th amu o l all t u d ent. e g t of ﬁv s the r m e s a th s e tones i p i itive C ltic c le, e oul

E ans s a e no ce of Irish music . very pi i t mu t h v ti d 59 60 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D

' the markedly Celtic eﬂ ect caused by playing only onthe blac e s He a o av ow w en . m n t e n k k y y h kn , h so en a e a he was a n mus onthe an ent g g d, th t t ki g ic ci

r sh sca e a a e to the ke of ﬂat ma r I i l , d pt d y G jo . Here is the primitive Celtic scale adapted to the ke ma or its s is the a or sca e in y of C j . By ide mj l us - Th a or sc s s o ﬁ e ones e to day. e mj ale coni ts f v t and two semones The semones c r on the it . it o cu

our an s n e ree h sc w f th d eve th d g s of t e ale, and if e om ese n s h e c s c e ma s it th ote , t e C lti al re in.

Here is an example of an ancient melody based onthe primitive Celtic scale

I t is inthe key of G major and the fourth and seventh notes (the f ab and the si) inthis key are

an s r r es ec . nce s ows a C d F ha p, p tively A gla h th t THE NATURE OF IRISH MUSIC 61 t ar sen ear we a e ere a n in hey e ab t. Cl ly h v h tu e

o v s the ld scale of ﬁ e tone . These gaps in the ancient scale caused by th e omissionof the half-tones are one of the most char acteristic features of Irish music They confront u in s f ll s r mhe ear es t h s air o a age , f o t li t o t e present

r e ess or e the s c ss day. Neve th l , bef Iri h ould expre

emse es mus ca l h er ec m e enss se th lv i l y, wit p f t co pl t e , the

rea s in the amu had to be e r b k g t ﬁll d up . F o , beautiful and characteristic though the ﬁve-tone sca e n e is th as l u doubt dly , e t k of realizing the musical

es n of the e race was e t w d ti y C ltic b yond i s po ers .

was ncom e e Th a - ns r s It i pl t . e h lf to e a e indi pensable to ms ca ou How th e s u r a u i l th ght. e C lt ac q i ed

nw ed e emwe can n nec re T k o l g of th o ly co j tu . he

n c en s s r the w e amu wi d, whi h oft igh th ough hol g t, ma s h mssi a s y have upplied t e i ng interv l . Or the lessonmay have beenlearned by virtue of what has — been called the divine faculty of error that gift w c ena s ma s i r e n t e e s um e ontr . hi h bl , a w , to t bl uth A singer of defective ear might happenby accident onthe missing notes of the scale inthe presence of a bearer of ﬁn a r u h e mus ic l pe ception. N o do bt t e discovery had to be made many times before the new no e er ass m Hun re s of me ies ase t s w e i ilated . d d lod b d onscales which have only one of the two semitones testify to the gradual character of the evolution. I nits purest formso famous anair as that now ” commonly known as The Last Rose of Summer is a s n s b sed onone of these transitional scale . I thi —“ — a case the fourth of the scale the fab is w nting. 62 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

Th s r s i we h e e hi to y of thi a r is typical. As av it to

th n u re ave day, even e crudities i trod ced by Moo h beeneliminated ; it is not the primitive melody. It has passed thr ough many transformations ; it has

o ea ne i s best gr wn fromb uty to beauty . O of t ’ ” v known ariants is The Young Mans Dream.

i une s ac the f ab the t er an Th s t al o l ks . On o h h d, i is ru as Mr . ra a o o u n his it t e, G tt nFlo d p ints o t ” s or of s T as o Hi t y Iri h Music, that he L t R se is re a e to the seveneen -c nur ir ed of l t d t th e t y a , N ” the i in c the f ab is resen ut even H ll, whi h p t. B if, ingrowing to the perfectionof The Last Rose the air was deliberately lopped of the fourth of the s e th e cal , e Celtic g nius which dictated the change was ru n au n n es ona x t e a d the tic . If an u qu ti ble e am e f s ass of a s f e pl o thi cl ir be a ked or, The Littl

Red L r l ser ve mra a k wi l ad i bly. A whole literature has grownup about this melody ” of T e s s h La t Ro e. Poets have loved it and the

rea comosers ave ra s v g t p h p i ed it. Beetho enhas left us a se n ns r tti g, it i pi ed Felix Mendelssohn to write his beautiful and too seldom played Fantasia ; Flotow introduced it into his opera of Marta and Hec r erlio the rea renc r man c to B z , g t F h o ti ist,

‘ declared that the beautif ul folk-song dis inf ected

the w o e wor . ar es o e a r h h l k Ch l W lf , utho of T e ” ur al of Sir o n o re wa mo B i J h M o , s ved by it to wr ite the following lines :

Sweet mourner cease that ml n s r , e ti g t ain. ’ Too well it suits the grave s cold slumbers ; Too well- the heart that loved in vain

reathes lives and wee s inthose wild numer B , p b s. THE NATURE OF IRISH MUSIC 68

N or did Moore fail to hit the spir it of the strain

h a o m c is the amen the rose in is p thetic p e , whi h l t of

ts u em is rue a o re ma rea e and i req i . It t th t M o lt t d the melody by introducing a showy cadenza and made a chromatic alterationof the air quite out of keep in its e c e us But his erse s tones f or g with C lti g ni . v

‘ his e ec s His eau u r c has d f tive musicianhip . b tif l ly i ’ famili ar ized the whole world with one of E rins loveli est airs and sowed the seed of sympathy with Ireland

s s nes in the hearts of freemen wherever the un hi . N or is he to be blamed too severely f or musical s r m ere a e s of the enera ho tco ings, which w r th r tho e g

on w c i a How unerr n ti in hi h he l ved th nhis own. i gly ’ his poet s instinct seized upon the true meaning of the air may be gathered fromthe fact that in The ’ ” oun ans Dr eam the e ma e ances r of the Y g M , l giti t to air ere s an amen oss the com , th i Ullagone, a l t, p ibly ’ os r p e s tribute to some dead and gone beauty. Here is The Last Rose inits authentic guise

“ m s Ex. 7 . e La t Rose .

’ Tis the last rose of sum mer , Lef t

bloom a 64 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

- - ﬂow er of her kin dred, No

blush es,

e o es o t e si t M l di with ut h , he seventh degree of the s a e are muc mor n m h s w c l , h e u erous t antho e ithout the our The se en i i th o s v m . s s e ms e u e me f th v th, , t l i ber of the ona am and inmo ernmus c one t l f ily d i , of the most chara ter s c is the a sence the c i ti . It b of seventh which gives its peculiar charmto The t n t ” h ee of he a ers . me in at l as t e M i g W t So th g, e t, of ’ lovelombeauty of F or E ire I d not tell her name is due to the s aus er a e 1 8 no ame c e. P h ps th re

e er e am e the e a the me 1 r se b tt x pl of typ th n lody, i ” inthe n w is Morni g ith my Heart full of Woe. I t ’ es nwn e ause r u r v r a s n b t k o b c of A th r Pe ce al G ves o g, ’ ” s an u s h n My Love Arb tu , and t e exquisite setti g

r en Sir ar ll e anor E er bar w itt by Ch les Vi i rs St f d. v y is a n s thi g of beauty and every trait is truly Ir i h .

I ts m ement is e w d r ov g ntly avelike an , whe e the s e en is om e the ar ca the v th itt d, e is ressed as by

ro ue so s ken b g ftly po .

66 THE SONG LORE OF I RE LAND

w h r s an most important as t e music of Ch i ti ity. It has been suggested of late years that the rever se was the case and that the music of the Church re re an ceived its characteristic color fromIreland. I l d

t rman not on r s an but anim gave o Ge y ly Ch i ti ity, r n in of he ur . Gerbert portant part r lit gy , w iti g manus and ur a s a . Colu b the tenth cent y, s y th t St

man o N o n m e our o . t his c p ion, St Abb , o ly i bu d

r s a ut a so Germany with the light of Ch i tianf ith, b l ” ” o v . u es s with the principles f ascetic li ing Do btl ,

con nues the rs ru e for rran n ecclesi he ti , ﬁ t l a gi g

amon s as m sa ms can astical services g u ade up of p l ,

i l s ms c lec s a d an ns was er ved t c e , hy n, ol t n tipho d i

romthe same so rce Bobbie in a a mon f u . At , It ly,

ster h r s s reser e the a y founded by t e I i h, they till p v

n nar of an or a man s r of the sevent A tipho y B g , u c ipt h

c enur is ma er cer u e a re an ave t y. It tt of tit d , th t I l d g ’ erman her ﬁrs esson in us a a t re an s G y t l s m ic l r . I l d

nuence onEn lan hrou o m a the i ﬂ g d, t gh St. C lu ba nd

mon s who nver e or umr a was ew se k co t d N th b i , lik i mus ca as e as re s e me es ave i l w ll ligiou . C ltic lodi h undoubtedly found their way into the liturgical ” o um es . The nro a e a ar om v l i t it, S lv S ncte P ens , c

se the r s ma ed lius i i t ur po d by I i h nS u nthe s x h cent y,

s o it ac inth m ua s till h lds s pl e e Ro anGrad l, and o ’ does the same churchmans hymn A solis ortu car ” ne the ver wor h di , y ds of whic are knit together in

the r s m ner . as mo s I i h an But a el di t, Sedulius

ou i th ree om The sca es th ght n e G k idi . l which give Gregorianmusic its distinctive character ar e of Gre cian r n The ﬂat seven one of the ms is o igi . th, o t d THE NATURE OF IRISH MUSIC 67

s of a ms orme ar the tinctive feature th t u ic, f d p t of musical systemof Hellas centuries before the birth

ris Onthe o er an t ere is no ev ence of Ch t. th h d h id to show that Gregoriancharacteri stics were present in Celtic music before the conversionof Ireland to

r s an Ch i ti ity. Two Chur ch scales inpar ticular have impressed

s v ma na on far the themel es on the Irish i gi ti . By more generally used of the two is a minor scale with

has its neares e u a en onthe a ﬂat seventh . It t q iv l t

n n w no es The an i the ke of us o e . pi o n y A, i g ly hit t

w ﬂa s ven and ma other is a major scale ith a t e th, y

th s a e most conveniently be represented by e c l of G,

s e s ese m es as e are u ing only the white k y . Th od , th y “ al e ma be s ar e onan no e inthe amu c l d, y t t d y t g t,

a an e ad pted to y k y.

For the help of persons who may wish to work out these modes indetail it may be explained that the essential thing ina scale or mode is the order inwhich the tones and semi n c no e ixol ia e f or to es su cee one a er . Th n o d th M yd md , ’ vi instance, only diﬂ ers fromthe scale of G maj or in ha ng f or its sevent na ra ins e o sh church h F tu l, t ad f F arp. The s of in nl i no h rimiti minor cale A, us g o y the wh te tes, is t e p ve al l d f o its sc e. I t is ca led the Hypodorianmode an it has r seventh nat r wherea the mode minr sca e has G u al, s rn o l G shar I n o ixol ian and ori es sev p. b th M yd Hypod an mod the cuth is ﬂattened ; in other words it is a whole tone below the ei hth note or nic. I n ol i o g , to the Mix yd anmde the semi tones occu r between the third and fourth and sixth and seventh e rees res ectiv l ma e e come d g p e y, in the j or scal th y etweenthe thir and our d even a d t e s b d f th an s th n eigh h d gree . I n the Hypodorian mode the semitones come between the second and third and fifth and sixth notes : in the minor scale now considered most perfect they occur between the secon and thir and seventh and ei h h o d es d d g t . The l mod 68 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

n ena ma he remar I cid t lly it y ked that, although the piano is the most convenient means of express ' in ese diﬂ erent sca es is not oo n o g th l , it a g d o e. F r the an s an ns rumen of omroms uses pi o i i t t c p i e. It one key to express two notes : C sharp and D ﬂat are

n a On s r n e ns r mn th o n ide tic l. t i g d i t u e ts like e vi li , ' r s s e iﬂ er nc — n w v ns it the e i a ubtl d e e o ly a f e ibratio , is r e but s r ec a e the uman ar —b t u , till app i bl by h e e

w e s ar and ﬂat ar an at a d t e nC h p D , D sh p d E ﬂ , n

s we s to et a rue ea th sca s o on. If wi h g t id of e le ’ v v i l w ms a e recourse to o n o a or ce o. e u t h i li , v l l If

ll sh unes c e a e o se ns rumns a Ir i t ould b pl y d nthe i t e t ,

o th a wo ore instead of n e pi no, their beauty uld be m

e st may be applied to any key of our mod rn sy em. They a e nan te f r ere ar f our my b gino y no o the keyboa d. H e scales :

ix l dianScale. Ex. 9. M o y

c l Ex. 10. S a e of 0 Malor .

i n o e . Ex. 1 1 . Hypodor a M d

EL I! Sa le of A Mlnor . THE NATURE OF IRISH MUSIC 69 c learly evident than an keyed instrument can m y ake it.

ese anien s a es so nd s ran a most r m Th c t c l u t ge, l g i , to the unaccustomed car ; but f amiliarity reveals

reat ea in em The r a g b uty th . Hypodo i n mode which is really the minor mode inits oldest form is e u ar s r I o of p c li pi ituality. t may be adapted t an e er a i y k y. P h ps there s no more beautiful ex ample of a melody inthis old mode than O Arran ” ’ mr i w o e. It s s eet and sad and Moore s words are

u of ten er s rr w r mt e ﬂat in t si f ll a d o o . F o h he g na ure and the c mmenemen the air on a t o c t of D , superﬁcial observer might j ump to the conclusion a wa n n r a s i the ke of m . th t it y D i o But, if th t

ere th as r be s ar inth me o w e c e, the e would a C h p e l dy, w reas th ma a ral rou o s he e C re ins n tu th gh ut . It i t he ﬂat seventh of Gregorianmusic.

O Arranmcre. 70 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

Menand womeninall parts of the world have paid

is son th r u e ears e reamn for th g e t ib t of t , littl d i g,

e mos a a s me n of r emo o was th t p rt, th t o thi g thei ti n due to the idealismof menwho worked and died more tha usan ears a o na tho d y g . Airs based onthe maj or scale with a ﬂat seventh are much rarer than melodies in the Hypodorian m e eau u e am e is Uileacan u h od . A b tif l x pl d b O h a e w ch Dr . ce ara els t e titl hi . P W. Joy p ll with ” English Alack and well-a-day ! I ts afﬁnity with the ancient plain-song will strike the bearer at once

Ullnchandubh 0 Ex. 14. . THE NATURE OF IRISH MUSIC 7 1

If we could retrace the footsteps of the Irish r ace along the shores of time we should sur ely ﬁnd that ' in f ar-cd days people listened with delightful ears to the strangely new melody of the Church and w eagerly made its peculiar tr aits their o n. “ To us m ems the r a se se en or ea n od i d v th, l di g ” o a is ca e eor s s seems as e s n n te, s it ll d by th i t , e i r to i g

a s vent But its ac e a i r s thanthe ﬂ t e h . c pt nce nI i h music seems to have beengradual and the allegiance of composer or singer has remained divided between th w ro s s ome mes the se en a e t o p gre sion. S ti v th p pears inboth forms inthe s ame tune.

- Be nErinni.

e E r nn e em e s u a n n B n i i x pliﬁ s thi ncert i ty. I

s remar a e air w c is a a os ro e to deed, thi k bl , hi h n p t ph 72 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

E r n summar es i s - i , iz , n the mall space of a single

er the r nc a c ara r s p iod, p i ip l h cte i tics of Irish music.

I is inthe sca e of E a he th t l Fl t. T ﬁrst time D ( e

n o the s a e a ars i a seve th f c l ) ppe , it s ﬂ ttened, suggest

in r e or an n uence. Two ars ur e s g G g i i ﬂ b f th r on, it i na ura e the ea enof mo ernsmis or n I t liz d ; l v d i w ki g. n the e assa es of emr er rs th our is littl p g b oid y, ﬁ t e f th

n the s v n Th ﬁv - o s e e e e . e o e sca e f kipp d, th th e nt l an is s i s the cient Celts till potent, n pite of the lapse of a es g . We have now investigated the nature of the ma teris l of which Irish music is made ; but before we canbe sa d ave overed the su ec a w o e i to h c bj t s a h l , ’ we must inquire into Ireland s contr ibutions to musi cal orman armn f d h o y. Wagner was r ight whenhe said th at poetry and music were manand wife and that the womanwas

r s c is on an nn ar s mus ic . I ish mu i a l g d i ﬁ itely v iou

m a is fﬁ to nce comentary onthis f ct. It di cult co ive an r s ne r s E ver air has moo I i h tu without wo d . y a d so deﬁnite that it provokes inquiry as to the natur e of th oemw c is assoc a e E th e p ith whi h it i t d . ven e dances w c of all mus c u seem eas de , hi h , i , wo ld l t to man the ns ra on r s are no e ce d i pi ti of wo d , x ptionto

s ml I nman ases the s n s a e ome own thi e. y c o g h v c d to I n o ers the name rres s su es s a us. th i i tibly gg t

n o e Who canres s s or l a e e a . t y, anidyl , l g d, j k i t

a o —an a s r too—is the belief th t a st ry d good to y, linked with such airs as What shall I do with ” this silly old man? The old womanlamenting her ” ” rs a ss or let ne s the pu e, T ke a ki it alo , Hu h

74 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND takes its formas well fromsome detail of the prin ci l s h l m pa train. But it must furnish t e e e ent of v rs r h s - ri rm e n . T di ity, of co t as t e ingle pe od fo es a s es the un amena r e of neness of t bli h f d t l p incipl o ,

n The u e er ormc nr u r n u ity. do bl p iod f o t ib tes the p i

i i s s a e ras c ple of d ver ity . Thi rrangemnt of cont t ing periods is known to musicians as binary form and in the an s th rea mos rs it has , h d of e g t co p e , s r r a r ss n To the hown ema k ble power of exp e io . primitive Irish singers it must have seemed like the

s r of a w wor oo s c an e and di cove y ne ld. M d might h g

ass n ee en ut m the a e p io d p , b the elody would tell t l as l s r e s m e am es we l as the word . Pe f ctly i ple x pl

f - a e nrall n o er rm re rar . e e s ea two p iod fo G y p ki g,

o th r s r ea som ms . ne period or e othe i ep ted, eti e both But a f ew songs have come downto us which consist

o o two r o s n mica e n. s lely f pe i d , u co pl t d by repetitio Th s e awn n m ns e Crui k enL is o e of the . It ope

r o of t ar Th s co ar the with a pe i d enb s. e e nd p t of

rev a e er of six ars to c song is anabb i t d p iod b , whi h

no a e o a the chorus is sung. A ther ﬁne ex mpl f bin ry ” ormis the air The R f or h c re f ed Fox, w i h Moo ” wrote Let E rin Remember . But though this discovery of binary formopened up a new world of possibilities to the musicians of

r a ms o l E n not m e em a er f a wor . i , it did k th t th t d The disadvantage of the two-period formlay inits

ac of nc us veness seem as ou the l k co l i . It s th gh ' s n er had s ar ed oﬂ ona mus ca e curs on s ruc i g t t i l x i , t k

out a n a ew a nd or o enthe wa om. lo g n p th, a f g tt y h e I n securing that f eeling of contrast without which THE NATURE OF IR ISH MUSIC 75

m a ro r ss t earl s n ers there canbe no usic l p g e , he y i g f ni lost something of their hold onthe principle o u ty.

r is a st It is to the everlasting c edit of the Ir h th t, ﬁr of all ms ca eo es e e e the means of u i l p pl , th y d v loped rec l n t s n r nc s an in so onci i g he e diverge t p i iple d, do n o ene a n es of ms ca e e o men i g, p d up ve u u i l d v l p t which made possible the work of a Beethovenand a

Wa er The e s im se but is gn . d vice i s plicity it lf, it ’ the s m of mus cons s s in i plicity Colu b egg. It i t a returnto the primary idea or theme after the section of r s n a a comos o a a cont a t . I this w y p iti nmy be unity and yet containwithinitself the element of con

r s The re r c n s t a t. c dit of the ﬂash of theo eti ge iu

ileen n E roo . Ex. 16. A

' ove h v er-mo Ei leen a I ll l t ee c re, a roc i

’ ’ ' l less th o er and o er i ee I l b e , R l n a

on: for thy sake rntread

Ri fond ly led. leen roon. 7 6 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ nto arro O Dal who ve in the a r is give C l y, li d l tte

t o h c nu th i part of he f urteent e t ry, and e song n which he gave deﬁnite expressionto it is Eileen n Aroo . a The air is easy of anlysis and its structure, — — once understood an easy matter will give the r e e a ke the a r ec a on in ss n a s th ad r y to pp i ti , e e ti l , of e

es f rms f ms cal m s Th s on high t o o u i co po ition. e g

ns s e ar s The rs is a er ma e co i ts of thr e p t . ﬁ t p iod d u of a rase w r a w p ph t ice epe ted, to which the follo ing words are set

’ I ll love thee evermore ,

E ileen a roonl

’ ’ ’ I ll bless thee o er and o er Eileen a roeu l

mes the onstr astin sec on h c con Thenco c g ti , w i h ' sists of four bars of melody markedly diﬂ erent in

ara ter romw a re ede it s e s e ch c f h t p c d . Thi s ction companies the words :

’ Oh ! f or thy sake I ll tread Where lains of a o s e p M y pr ad,

Th n s sec n a w e e an ne e e d of thi tio , s ill b f lt by yo

a v th m who sings or pl ys it o er, does not convey e i

ress o a the conr ar a akens the p i nof ﬁnlity. On t y it w

es r fo s se uent h r the d i e r a equel. Con q ly t e eturnto

r ma m wh c cons u es t e r ar of p i ry the e, i h tit t h thi d p t

t e so s ll th mr ra e u . w be h ng, i a e o e g t f l But it ill ’ noticed that O Daly did not conﬁne himself to any

r o He a too oo a mus me e textual repetiti n. w s g d i THE NATURE OF IRISH MUSIC 77

a f o a a n es a l s e the en of ei n r th t . H vi g t b i h d id tity

w t rs he ves the me o f r the third part ith he ﬁ t , gi l dy

in e ermnn the neness of the son om. E d ven d t i i g o g,

n ts Th w r s of o c u he e riches i diversity. e o d this c nl d ing sectionare :

n By hope still fo dly led, i een man E l a .

Among theorists the planonwhich this miniature musical ediﬁce is built is known as ternary formor

r e- ar son orm ere is a c th e p t g f . Th a l pse of a en tury or more after the compositionof this tune be fore continental E urope made satisfactory use of ’ re an s s co er and w u be c ur s ness to I l d di v y, it o ld h li h refuse her the credit of this greatest achievement in th e o u o mus ca orm e v l ti nof i l f . All Irish melodies have not the formal simplicity of the e am es uo e inthe resen c a ter how x pl q t d p t h p ,

v r an some the rs c os n to us ra the e e , d of ai h e ill t te growth of tonality will indicate the lines along which

v mn o mma be oo for The de elop e ts of f r y l ked . ” s ose f o am e e ac ara s th con La t R , r ex pl , x tly p llel e ” c s ree s truction of E ileena r oon. It onsi ts of th

n a o rma of the r s r s the r e n . p a t , thi d b i g c ﬁ tion ﬁ t

i r o n ras of The ﬁrst part s a pe iod , c nsisti g of a ph e T of four bars sung twice. he words to this section the tune are

’ s s of ummer Tis the la t ro e s , Left blooming alone ; A ll her lovely companions a d n A re f ded an go e . 78 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

The element of contr ast is a phrase of four bars which eventhe untr ained ear will recognize as lack in inthe e emen of na g l t ﬁ lity. It is set to the lines

No ower r ﬂ of her kind ed, N o ni rosebud is gh,

The ermna r of the mo t r c a g i l pa t el dy, he p inip l

s ec wo ubj t, as it uld be called in a sonata or sym ho p ny, recurs with the words

T o reﬂect back her blushes. o ive i r si T g s gh f o gh.

’ My Love s anArbutus also embodies the tri

r te a r h a tra s a ah pa ti ide . He e t e princip l s in i n

r viate r o s t s b e d pe iod of f ur bars, e to the ver e

’ My Love s anArbutus e o By the bord rs f Lane.

I t does not need the learning of a musician to

o e th om eness s eme oreover rec gniz e c plet of thi th . M ,

r s me o the t r ce that outs tanding feature of I i h l dy, h i

m a o m siz e th ea con repeated ter inl nte, e pha s e id of e s on lu i . The contrasting sectionis the same length as the principal strain; but it diff ers fromthat member in

e n r e ea e Onits se ond a earance wever b i g p t d. c pp , ho ,

is ra e u var e h s twice sun rase has it g c f lly i d. T i g ph the following words

So slender and shapely

I nher girdle of green, And I measure the pleasure ’ Of her eyes sapphire sheen. THE NATURE OF IRISH MUSIC 79

The r ar t c rro r a n h s m a d thi d p , o bo ti g t e ﬁr t the e n

r un n the son to a erf os s o di g g p ect cl e, both inver e

and me o l dy, has the two lines

By the blue skies that sparkle Thro h tha o r c c ug t s ft b anhing s reen.

It is not till the last three measures that the ter ar i 4 is n y character of U leacandubh O (E x . 1 ) es a s e t u at a c u the t bli h d. But he ret rn th t j unt re to concluding and most beautiful par t of the prin cipal theme is at once gratef ul to the ear and satis n T o x f i the ne ene n he u n E . 1 y g to i t llig c . I G li ( ) — the sectionof contr ast we should call it the subor — dinate t m h m s o e sona a is he e, if t e co po iti nw re a t o t u its ofﬁce r nly four bars long. Bu it f lﬁlls pe fectl The an romthe l n - ra n-out e e ac y. ch ge f o g d w l gi notes to a rhythmof alternate long and short notes su s the ance is tr n and ea u . gge tive of d , s iki g b utif l E ven this brief subordinate theme closes with a

a th n m gl nce at e pr i cipal the e. “ ” ' This same air of The Coulin aﬂ ords a good example of the vine-like elegance of melodies molded

e r m The o mus ans ere ser by C ltic hyth . ld ici w u pulously obedient to the l aws of metre ; but they - a moved so easily in their self imposed bonds th t, ’ in airs like the Lament for Owen Roe O N eil

x a The T is n the o e t e (E . 89) nd w ti g of R p h y seemalmost to have emancipated themselves from

r s the limitations of measu ed mu ic. Here and there inthe writings of authors up to the twelfth century we ﬁnd references to Irish music 80 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND — which suggest that harmony theninits crude be — ginnings onthe continent of E urope was more ad

vanc in re an Mr ra an is ncl e ed I l d. . G tt Flood i ind to believe that the words Modulabiliter decantare ’ S ama of h s in t. Ad n s a r c r r e n n life St . P t i k efe to t i g

ing of hymns in counterpoint by Irish monks .

o th ea r an sen Ab ut e y r 658 St. Ge trude of Brab t t

o r n f F oi i a to e to re a or . l nd v I l d St an a St. Ult n come to teach her nuns of the abbey of Nivelle the

sahno wo s art of p dy. She uld hardly have done thi if music had been cultivated to as high a pitch in her own unr or n erman o n c s E ri co t y i G y . J h S otu

en the amo s r s s c oo mn who in875 g a, f u I i h h l a , died , is the ﬁrst author to refer to the primitive formof

rm o um amus o um. r r ha ony knwnas organ N th b ia, f o above the rest of England for the skill of its in

ins n w r s an to habitants i ging inparts , o ed Ch i ti ity

anand his r s mss nar es and we a e seen St . Aid I i h i io i , h v that music was an essential par t of Celtic Chris ti i omth ar es ms a en se ar a e anty fr e e li t ti e . T k p t ly, these facts may seemvery slimtestimony uponwhich to base any claims onbehalf of the Irish to a superior

m w r no e e rmon . a e e e k wl dg of ha y Cu ul tiv ly, ho v , they forma body of evidence that cannot be disre

a I f the th e r i of bar g rded. proof of e C ltic o ig n mon is s h of u n e es is y light, t at other E ropea p opl s sam m wo be e lighter still. At the e ti e, it uld idl to make anexclusive claimonbehalf of an r ace to y m the discovery of either harmony or musical for . It is inthe highest degree probable that crude har monies were sung and played by ancient peoples long

82 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

r r the ne rs While she sings the uppe pa t, ighbo ,

omms rate her sin in gathered around, c i e by g g a — softly murmured Ochone ! Ochone (alas ! alas !)

re a in intoning the words on four notes, which a ga

a re e and at the se s n in and gain peat d , clo , u g o r an unison by both sol ist and cho us. This is

au en e am e a olk-son ass an r th tic x pl of f g b , d a e mar e n t it its rm c i t kabl thi g abou is fo , whi h s tha “ ” of the ro or e bass mu a r g und, ﬁx d , ch f vo ed by Henry Purcell and carried to per fection by John

a o r u r Sebasti nBach . With these f u reg la ly recur

ren no es th easa s n ers f re a omnin t t e p nt i g o I l nd, c bi g

em h the s r no me o ma e the r n th wit op a l dy, d two p i

ci al s mus c mnan an n ars p chord in i , do i t d to ic, the pill onwhich has beenerected the towering superstruc

r mo armn t se ri mi e tu e of dern h o y. When he p it v musicians had shownthe way all the world might CHAP TER V

SON GS OF JOY AN D SORBOW

Tm: life of the Irishmanhas beenset to music from

o r e His e r es rec e ons the cradle t the g av . a li t oll cti are the lullabies with which his mother cr ooned him

o o o me cor t sleep, ditties f the old f lks inthe chi ny

r so s th mensan e e s unthe ﬂax . ne , ng e wo g whil th y p

I nboyhood his feet beganto move to jigs and reels .

r a i mus ew se and o e wa ene Wo k h d ts ic lik i , l v a k d

n r s F or s erner m s ere te der st ains of it own. t ood th

r s s re m and le en e n a rs of we e ong of f edo , g d liv d i i

r r a nn Mac orr w r e a e la Dei d e nd Fi Cool . S o c ll d ments and death evoked the piercing note of the h n f een. T e r s manhas o r e k I i h so gs r eve y age, very mo e er s e od, v y tat of life.

As l e is the e nnn of l s v ov b gi i g a l thing , with lo e songs we may best begina chapter onthe Irish music ’ a r n - of d ily life. E i s most beautiful love songs echo

ss o th o the pa ion f e peasant muse. P ets are amorists rather than lovers ; for themthe conceit is com m l r th se mn But w h ony mo e than e nti e t . hen t e

eas n s n s of ove he oes so ecause has ma e p a t i g l , d b it d his m He is r ene a o a lif e a poe . to m t d by delici us p in a d r e in B an s n r n he seeks lief song. y d by the i ge is or o o v s o F o s o f g tten; but the s ng li e n. r the e s ngs

a s m stness h ve a i plicity, anearne , as ﬁne as the pas s o s r i nthat inpi ed them. 83 84 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

The love-songs which linger most tenderly inthe memory are those which tell of the wooing that is

i a- o n Menare Ma en e woo De st ll d i g. y wh th y , ” c r en e d sa s r er a embe we e . wh th y , y p tty P dit So

i o r o s n s o f o e re . a l ve g of h pe, often h p defe d T ke,

th aist onn o a r for instance, e P eenFi r, s D . P . W.

- ” s The a r a re n r . Joyce word it, F i H i d You g Gi l ' Some obstacle keeps lover and sweethear t apart ;

a n or ov or Th'o b parents are disd i ful p erty f bids. u le

s is or the over has c r there urely , f l beensi k with feve f or nne n n s rom n un er the e erow i lo g ight f lyi g d h dg , beneath the rain hoping some whistle or call might

is o He u ﬂee f ro s o an awake h l ve. wo ld mkinf lk d

n s But ne er ea e m s ee rama r e frie d , v l v y w t g ch e . He longs to be at home

r Betweentwo ba rels of brave brownale, air little sister to list m a My f y t le.

Between each verse the chorus applauds his de

i Who can oub a r e terminationto w nher. d t th t a t u lover made the following verses ? Their English they owe to Edward Walsh

’ My F elsteen Fionn is my soul s delight Her heart laughs out inher blue eyes bright o o The bloomof the apple her b s mwhite, ’ s Her neck like the swans inwhitenes .

v o osomm air P aisteen Lo e f my b , y f , ’ li the rose s sheen Whose check is red, ke ; f the mai en are ure ween My thoughts o d p , I , er health in m li htness Save toasting h y g . SONGS OF JOY AND SORROW 85

The Paisteen nn Ex. 18. Fio .

“ A love-song of a cheery s train is I wish the ’ ” e er s P et ere n I i f Sh ph d W Mi e. t s anidyll o the — Irish Arcadia not the ar tiﬁcial Arcadia of Florian and La ona ne ut a rc i F t i , b nA adia nwhich the dwel

ers are e as wel as care- r e Th o l childlik l f e . e l ver has ane e the s s an a n s of e c y to ub t ti l thi g lif , whi h help 86 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND to ma e ome c mor a e as wel as a e her k h o f t bl , l to K t

Her he w u a ossess ut he ou e self. o ld f inp , b w ld lik

r o s s s is sin s he rich ﬂ ck al o. Thi how he g

’ I wish I had the shepherd s lamb, ’ ’ The shepherd s lamb, the shepherd s ’ wish had the she her lam I I p d s b. d ate min r An K y co g afte .

The ellow cow eases him ms a e y pl too, but he u t h v

ome rom is r w s a welc f h da ling as ell . He conclude with a wish for the herd of kine and Katey f rom ” a e e h s her f ther . B twe n t e verses the chorus sing ’ i r (the English s D . Joyce s)

! i And Oh I ha l thee. I hail thee ! ’ heart s love without uile are tho My g u. d h ail hee An O ! I h t , I hail thee, The air et of th mther f p y o .

The Irish maiden sings her wish for happy mar riage with as entire an absence of false shame as

on r . o c as r e r w Grecian Antig e. D J y e h co ded t o “ ’ son s s n One is I m o n g of thi ki d. g i g to be mar ” r e o un a d the o er om c e r i d nS d y , an th , C e, h e up, ” eer au r . o son s a ch up, d ghte B th g h ve had to be re-wr ut Dr o as s itten; b . J yce h pre erved the spirit of the or a s nc r s iginl , i o por ating the be t lines and leaving out such verses as were either worthless or

e ona e I nthe rs son the r s n s obj cti bl . ﬁ t g gi l i g :

I t is quite time to marry whena girl is sixteen; " ‘ ’ l wes Wi that tol m so it lain o e seen lly d e, s p t b ; ’ n For he s handsome and manly and ﬁ t f or a quee ,

And j ust twenty years old onnext Sunday, t Just twenty years old onnex Sunday. SONGS OF JOY AND SORROW 87

But her friends think sixteen is too youthful to

r e wou ave er carr her ma ma ry . Th y ld h h y ild f or

wo o r r m e is t r th ee yea s ore. That, how ver , clean against her will

’ OnSatur a ni ht whenI m ree romall care d y g , f f , ’ ’ I ll finish my dress and I ll paper my hair ; re h rett mai s wait o me The are t ree p y d to n there, nd ance t m in on u a A to d a y wedd g S nd y, ce w din on a To dan at my ed g Sund y.

” I eer u c eer u au er the f ee n s n Ch p, h p, d ght , li g i deeper and the young woman says j ust what is in

r The son is inthe orm a her hea t. g f of a di logue, but there is no diﬂiculty indistinguishing the char

acters.

e wh ma e o ad ? Cheer up, cheer up, daught r, at k s you l ok so s ood ws dau h er wi ma e o r he r be Good news, g ne , dear g t , ll k y u a t ” glad. “ ’ h ! I inin ea mother O mp g, d r ,

This long and weary years, ’ And it s well ou now the oo news ear mother tha y k g d , d , t I ” s r hould like to hea .

Thee mother tells her she shall have a lamb ; but the daughter replies that she is a womanand can ” ot a w to s . s ee is romse n pl y ith y A h p p i d, then a cow but s the r is d sc nso a e as e ; till gi l i o l t . At l t th mother gladdens her with the longed-for tidings

” c eer a r d mrr h Cheer up, h up, d ughte , an a ied you s all be, ’ h ! w c r u o ear mo er f or that s th ws O I ill hee p nw, d th , e ne ” for me. “ You are a silly maid I vow ; ” And why do you cheer up now ? ecause love a oun man ear mother mo hanlam B I y g , d , re t b, ” r hee r o s p o cow. 88 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

People bummed the old airs until the emotionstir

w em o ormin e r a is ring ithin th t ok f po t y. Th t why The Coulin and E ileenAr oon h ave cre

s c e s er i m to ated u h a wealth of v r e. Th e s no li it

h ns r ow of a ﬁne air ar ol t e i pi ational p er . WhenC r ’ ” al san ee roon as ov -s n O D y g E il n A , it w a l e o g ; the same une mve omas oo t r e r n t o d Th M re o w it E i , the tear and the smile inthine eyes in Soggarth ” ’ r on s n s the easan s e o n his r es . A o , it i g p t d v tio to . p i t To establish the relationship of poemand tune be

v longs to antiquarian research . Petrie ne er rested content until he had compared all the obtainable

r ans of a ne and one hi ms to see out va i t tu d —s ut o t k o na oem Th o e s n o of the the rigi l p . e l v o g, N ra ” mer a r he r e ac inmanus r ormto A b H i , t ac d b k c ipt f ’ 5 is lea ue E u ene rr o a the 1 78 . H col g , g O Cu y, c ll ted wor ds given in the collections of Hardiman and

a s and c mare em a n r a on W l h , o p d th with ﬂo ti g t diti , working patiently towards a restorationof the origi

s ne h a e l nal. o e m a e a s o Thi d , d it r l tranlati nof the

ae En s ome of th n G lic into gli h. S e li es may be too realistic or too lowly to please our academic purists ; but eventhey cannot deny that the singer who tells his mistress he will tread the dew before her and not

ress ownthe rass has th i a o p d g e mginationof a p et.

0 Nora of the Amber hair I t is my grief that I cannot m ar un er Put y m d your head, ’ Or over thy bosoms vestu re ; I t is thou that hast lef t my head i h u a sinle ounc e W t o t g e of sens ,

90 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

What is here printed is the plainEnglish equivalent of the Gaelic

How happy are the little birds i e That r s up on high, And alight thentogether Onthe one sinle ranch g b . I t is not so that I do And my hundred thous and times loved-one ; But it is f ar fromeach other

I n a literal tr anslation the poetic spell of the or is o r iginal l st . I na mate ial versionall that the translator canhope to give is a pale and ineff ectual ima e the ormof verse g of f the . Word magic is too

o a e as s romone on ue to ano er r v l til to p f t g th . Neve theless an an a s er uson ou a e , M g , W l h, F g , D gl s Hyd and others have givenus songs of Irish originwhich add a e c us re to En is for C lti l t gl h literature. Un tunatel e er the mr le ar y, how v , o e e gant these songs e as En s r cs the ess a u do he mrror gli h ly i , l f ithf lly t y i the ori ginal . The literal translations of Irish song ’ made by E ugene O Curry reﬂect the Celtic spirit much more faithfully thanthe eloquent English even

f a The h es cu ure onthe u is o M ngan. igh t lt s bj ect re res n Dr ou las e who su emens p e ted by . D g Hyd , ppl t his metrical translations of the songs of his native

nn a rans a n i a ros Co aught with t l tioni to l ter l p e. ’ Dr H s n e e ou of o e . yde Ri gl t d Y th My L v will make this matter clear evento the personwho has no

e i he s r overs who a e uarre e . Ga lic . It s t to y of l h v q l d ’ his wa the r s ear es The boy has gone y, but gi l h t ach SONGS OF JOY AND SORROW 91 whenhe passes by the house and does not come in to see h r She s er sor o n a so r e . h r n put w i to g. He e are none of the stock phrases of the poets ; but the thought is inevitable and the words have the nobility of r i Th r s a s pe fect s mplicity . e I i h miden could ay with Heine

t f ’ Ou o my heart s deep sadness, ma e h ttle s ns I k t e li o g .

rs we re the l era r s Fi t will ad it l p o e.

0 outh of the oun ac hair Wi th w m was once y b d b k , ho I together ; You went by this way last night ; And you did not co h n ar wo l ne ou me to see me. I thoug t o h m u d be do y If o w r m k f o me d s r it i o little y u e e to co e and as r , An u e s y ur

iss woul ive como t wer in h mi s t of a ever . k d g f r , If I e t e d f

n wo ma e If I had wealth a d silver inmy pocket, I uld k nT he oor of the ouse of m storeen Ho a handy boree o t d h y , p lo i shoe ing to God that I might hear the me d ous sound of his , d hi e ev r and long (since) is the ay onw ch I sl pt, But ( e ) ha in for the te of i iss p g tas h s k .

nd o h m en Th o we e he sunand A I th ug t, y store , at y u r t n t a w snw on the moon, A d I thought af er th t, That you ere o d a ter tha Tha ou were a am the mountain, An I thought f t t y l p od Or that ou were the star of nowle e oin be fromG , y k dg G g ” e f ore me and after m.

omare h s e r o r eas s s C p with t i po t y f pu e id , a di t ished r mthe oe r of ormth rs rse ingu f o p t y f , e ﬁ t ve

— ‘ of the same son one nto me re th m r g, d i t e et e of the

ae c ance l s w t th e rna G li . A gl wi l ho hat e xte l graces of metre have beengained at the sacriﬁce of

o v things which make f r ch aracter and indi iduality . 92 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

The language is ﬂowing and sweet ; but much of

easan c i n p t harms go e.

inlete outh of m l v R g d y y o e, With thy locks bound loosely behind thee You passed by the road above ; B ut ou never came int fin me y o d . here were the harmfor o W y u, If you came f or a little to see me? o r is i a n Y u k s s a w ke ing dew, Were ever so ill or so ream I d y.

Irish love-songs are conﬁdences on which the singer is thinking aloud or addressing the beloved

a e a ot one inthe intimacy of du l solitude. Th y re n

amn a s abs ra ut orn e tal pieces ddres ed to an t ction, b a e mus n s ones s ons a a n are the udibl i g , c f i , l yi g b of s c a es h so The n of ee es a os e ret pl c of t e ul . ote d p t p th is struck whenthe singer is some peasant girl lament in her too com e e trus inman on s e Do g pl t t . S g lik ” Y ou Remember That Night ? and Youth Whom I Have Kissed are autobiographic ; they are uni n sa u b t e in r ns . ver l intheir sad tr th , u , C ltic thei i te ity The English of the ﬁrst of these songs we owe to ’ Eugene O Curry

Do you remember that night That o we y u re at the window, With neither hat r no gloves, N or coat to shelter you ; reache out m han o I d y d to y u, And ou r e y a d ntly grasped it. And I remained inconverse with you Until the lark beganto sing? 0

Do you remember that night That you and I were

94 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

Oh outh whom have isse like a star throu h the mist , y I k d, g , v v i r I ha e gi en the th s heart altogethe , nd en o A you promised me to be at the gre w od f or me, Until we took counsel together ; But n m v h l e n s r t k ow, y lo e, t ough at , that o sinis o g ea , c For which the ange ls hate the de eiver,

A t first to steal the bliss of a maidenwith a kiss, T iv r v o dece e her afte this and to lea e her.

A nd do you now repent f or leaving me downbent With the trouble of the world going through me Preferring sheep and klne and silver of the mine A nd the black mountain heifers to me ? I would sooner wina youth to winme inhis truth n Tha the riches that you love, have chosen, Who would come to me and play by my side every day i o d f W th a y ung heart gay an unrosen.

w n s n s i t But he the u goe round, I s nk upon he ground, I feel my bitter wound at that hour ; Ah ! alli ull of loomli e one romout a tom p d, f g , k f b, ’ ar s n witho t ow r O M y So , u p e . And all my friends not dead are casting at my head ro ch a m sa n oin Rep a es t y d u d g, s w h i A nd thi is hat t ey say, S nce yourself went astray, ' ” n er a Go a d suﬂ so to d y inyour min.

The published collections of Irish songs do not

a ear nc u e an r a a rs or marr son s pp to i l d y b id l i iage g , like the Chanson de la Mariee of the Breton

easans or the ss e n an ut ere p t Swi W ddi g D ce. B th undoubtedly were such songs ; for they are spoken of inold folk tales and the ceremonial of rustic wed

n s w h a di g would be incomplete ithout t em. L dy Wilde ih her book onIrish folk lore refers to such a

s on c sh sa s use to sun a marr a e g whi h, e y , d be g t i g

as s th w o e man th new marr e a r fe t by e h l co p y, e ly i d p i SONGS OF JOY AND SORROW 95

n n s a ac erse of the son alo e remai ing e ted . E h v g ended with the refrain

There is sweet enchanting music and the golden harps are t ineine e And twelve comely maidens deck the bride bed f or the brid .

E ach of the twelve bridesmaids had a cavalier and

together they escorted the bride and groomhome. ’ The young mans mother met the bride at the door and broke an oat cake over her head intoken of

en i s ore La e es an a un of pl ty n t . dy Wild giv cco t a rustic wedding which took place about the middle

at a a e a e some of the of las t century . E ven th t l t d t ,

s immemorial customs of the Celts were still ob er ved.

t th mar r a e ceremon a rocess on was Af er e i g y, p i

rme headed b s who ma e a sort of ru e fo d, by oy , d d

o r o ca n l e music on holl w eeds . A b y rryi g a ight d torch of bogwood was the Hymenof the festival and

t a w a e an preceded he newly wedded p ir, ho w lk d h d

in an n er a ano . Two a en a a e h d, u d c py tt d nts w lk d behind holding a sieve full of wheat over their heads

r f hon-ﬁr had een as anaugu y o plenty. A e b built,

d is ss o an to th the proce i n moved, encircling the

am m hen he a as ﬂ es three ti es. T t c nopy w taken away and the young couple kissed before all the

e e p opl . ut t u n s of re is B if he nptial so g I land are lost, it

not s th n c i o nat on o with e so gs of h ldho d. No i al

s is o es s is a e an mu ic s rich in lullabi a th t of Ir l d . Some of the tunes are so artlessly beautiful that they seemto be the instinctive music of motherhood ;

t rs mr i or anze su est ns o s o he , o e h ghly g i d, gg co ci u 96 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

mus ca ra smans i l c ft hip . The words are usually of ” the s mles n e s o a h i p t ki d, lik Hu h B by, S oheensho, or , perhaps the mother soothes the child with the

romse of a o en ra p i g ld c dle, swung to and fro by

en e r s g tl b eeze . Here is an example of the simpler n Dr e r ki d. . Joyc ecords it inhis Ancient Music ” of Ireland and says he was familiar with it all his e t “ lif , but never o any other words than Shoheen ” sho and ou are m , y y child.

We must try to think how it sounded inthe quiet of the c a e the mo ott g , ther holding the child inher arms roc n a ar s and orw rds s , ki g b ckw d f a a she sang.

THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

Ma neither colic nor eath-stitch stri e o y d k y u, ’ The inant s isease or the u l sma o f d , g y llp x. - Sho heensho, hoo 10 lo, etc.

lee m c d it l S p, y hild, an be the s eep of saf ety, And out of your sleep may you rise inhealth ; rom ainul reams ma our heart be ree F p f d y y f , nd ma our mother o w A y y be nt a sonless oman. - Sho heensho, hoo 10 10 , etc.

’ I n Sir Charles Villiers Stanford s Songs of

E r n is a u ab of rea ea s t or s i l ll y g t b uty , e to w d by

ar e rc a r aves is u two in Ch l s Pe ev l G . It b ilt up of on dependent tunes taken fromthe Petr ie collecti , making a simple compositioninwhat musicians call

two- art son orm a two unr e a e me o es p g f . Th t l t d l di should contrast so happily is an accident by which the musicianwho perceives their is perfectly

en e to roﬁ titl d p t .

I t will be noted as a conﬁrmationof what has been said concerning the primitive character of these SONGS OF JOY AND SORROW 99

so in o is ngs that the ﬁr st lullaby (N . though it

on f our ars on the sam me o e s r ly b l g, e l dic id a i e peated f our times ; yet so beautiful is the strainthat

ere i s es o o o Th ec n th s no ugg ti n f mnotony . e s o d

u a N o. 22 is a er o com s two co l ll by ( ) p i d, po ed of n

trastin r ases s m e n ee but not so ous g ph , i pl i d d, ingenu as the companionlullaby with its entire absence of

c nras The rs am e on a o t t. ﬁ t ex ple probably b l gs to

v er ar r o s ca a r th y e ly pe i d of mu i l rt. Togethe e

two ul a e m o of s u n l l bi s ake a s ng exqui ite bea ty, a d

the r c t e ave ns re Mr ra es ly ic with whi h h y h i pi d . G v is a charmingly poetic development of the nurse-song

rm a a u v re is th s erse : fo ul ll ded to abo e. He e ﬁr t v

’ I ve found my bonny babe a nest

OnSlumber Tree. ’ e I ll rock you th re to rosy rest, s chree A tore Ma . l n a Oh, lulla o, si g all the le ves

OnSlumber Tree. ’ Till ev rythlng that hurts or grieves A ar must ﬂee f .

Th oltree o mus c of sorr ow is mos ar e G , r i , t ch acteristically exempliﬁed inthe cry which the Irish

o s a n ea he cal the pe ple u e to l me t their d d . T y l it n e n an its eff ec is e r and near . W e k e , d t w i d u thly h the last confession has been said and death is mo mentaril e ec e all of the am nee ar un y xp t d, f ily k l o d

o wa er is s r n e a ou the dying person. H ly t p i kl d b t the roomand all j oininreciting the litany for the

n he a comes all rise and o ninthe dyi g. W nde th , j i

c n n v on who ears sa s a ra er death ha t, a d e ery e h it y p y

for the sou i is one The an c ose f ol l wh ch g . ch t l ly 1 00 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

ows the na ra accen of r ef now r s l tu l t g i , i ing inpro

es now s n n in es r T ' t t, i ki g d pai . he words are ex clamations r e l e of g i f, ik Ochone ! Ochone ! (Alas ! Alas !) and they are sung again and again at in

tervals. Dr e e us ha . Joyc t lls t t every neighborhood — — has or used to have withinrecent years its two or three womenwho were the recogniz ed keeners of the a s mn e. e e e c oa e in om pl c Th wo , l k d s ber garb, r ock

a war s and or ar s a t the a n n b ck d f w d bou de d, s i gi g h a t t e immemori l death music . Between these ou bursts of melodious grief some kinsmanof the dead mo er or i s an or w b o s th ch ld, hu b d ife, r ther or si ter w as on men ill break into p si ate la tation, addressing the or se in erms of endearmen and ca n to c p t t, lli g m s one ome mes ind h appy day g by. S ti these out

urs r the es e ree e o uen s e b ts a a in high t d g l q t. Li t n ’ to is mo er s a s r e to her son s en n th th po t oph , pok withi the last ﬁfty years :

w men loo onme women look me w i ook n 0 o , k , ; on , onen; l o m sorrow ave ou ever seenan sorrow like e me in y . H y y min ? Have you ever seenthe like of me inmy sorrow? Ar rah ! rl s our mother that calls o n then m a in it i u. How lo , y d g, y y g

ar s ee in . Do ou see all the eo le roun m you e l p g y p p d you, y nd rel we in ? rrah ! wha i hi a s darling, a I so y ep g A t s t s p lene s r onyour sweet face ? Su e, there was no equal to it inE rin o a w f or beauty and fairness. Y ur h ir as heavy as the wing of r w whi er an h han a raven, and you hand as t th t e d of a lady. I s it a stranger that must carry me to my grave and my son lying here ?

Canclassic sorrow show anything more beautiful ?

ere a een c Dr o ce sa s he a ed H is k whi h . J y y le rn ” on n a o re uen ear n r ne on l g, lo g g . F q t h i g p i t d it

s mmr . i d v no ars a o hi e o y It s i ided i t b , s th ugh it

1 09 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND the funeral procession and the esteeminwhich the deceased personwas held might be gauged by their nmer o n ra amDal ell the o . Sir a f u b J h G h y , uthor ” us c emor es f M i al M i o Scotland, illustrates this point inhis descriptionof the obsequies of Matthew

‘ ar a er of n e in is a a a H dy, pip ot h d y. H rdy w s a wee mr a n two ee a o t l, o ly f t high, but he h d the spirit of a giant and Dalyell calls him the life and soul ” hi mn r hi t i a of s country e . They bu ied minRa hmch el

u ar in r l 1 8 n his co w r Ch rchy d, Ap i , 7 7 , a d ﬁ n as p e

e e no f e er hane ou es of ers c d d by w t ight c pl pip , who

a e a r e om se b aro n ere is a pl y d di g c po d y C la . Wh th t

-d ? e r a rec rde some dirge to ay Fortunat ly, Pet ie h s o d

ma n c e am es one of c is ere en. g iﬁ ent x pl , whi h h giv

v s n ir ar es anf or x Mr . ra e a d S (E . G Ch l St d have linked this magniﬁcent air with the memory of ’ N il The a ian al e r n ab ut OwenRoe O e l. It l G il i, w iti g o

e r ers to the use the middle of the sixteenth c ntu y, ref i war . a s of the music of pipes in He dd , With t

ra e ma n also they accompany their dead to the g v , ki g

e na to a mst such mournful str ains as to invit , y, l o ” f or e s an ers to ee . c , by t d w p s r an n s n s of sorr w Music of Ireland i luxu i t i o g o . I nadditionto the keens f or the departed there are

— n s of amne execu laments f or the living also so g f i ,

e em r an son s aments tionsongs, songs of exil , ig t g , l f or a am es i e the battle rma national c l iti , l k of A gh ” es and the ﬂight of the Wild Ge e.

s a n for es stormed and The laments f or heroes l i , citi garrisons massacred may ﬁttingly be described in ’ chapters onthe part played by song inIreland s his SONGS OF JOY AND SORROW 1 08

or s e es of am s t y. A p ci l ent till heard is the E xecu ” ion on . Dr o c v a i t S g . J y e gi es n a r which he has oftenheard inDublinset to tales of murder and sud n a Th de e . e erses o ere ou n d th v , d gg l th gh they ofte are ac u re a r m orror r m e r su e ere , q i g i h f o th i bj ct . H are a couple of verses takenfromsuch chants and sun i s re ts es son s mn g n the t e . Th e g are como ly

r e ona r a e a s ss o s p int d b o dsid , with kull and cro b ne ,

m w r u or o s of s a on The ve se co gall by way illu tr ti . , as Dr o ce o ns out s a a es the f orm a . J y p i t , u u lly t k of “ ” as c L t Dying Spee h.

w r tr o s I t as a cruel murde ; the uth I nw mu t own. ’ n l Twas Satan stro g y tempted me, as we were both alone ; wit a he v ha che v o l a al Then h a y t t, I ga e C nnol y f l,

r wors o all. And I cut himup inpieces, which appea ed the t f

orm a om a e wi w c the secon The f ul , C e ll y , th hi h d

a a r c on o u quotationbegins, h s ser ved s int odu ti to p p

so a mos o num r Th us c anis lar ngs l t with ut be . e m i i a street singer and he is inviting the people to listen

Come all ye tender Christians ; I h0 pe you will draw near. A doleful lamentationI meanto let you hear ; n ea o d did swea r ves awa How a child of only te y rs l r ou li y. May the Lord have mercy onour souls against the Judgment

A more beautiful class of lamentations are the

e r an to the r s ma is er o songs of exil . I el d I i h n ev H ly

r a hena nat ve of onnau is ome ed I el nd. W i C ght c p ll

o o the old ome he ma es a ma e t t f rsake h , k pilgri g o

uma. s o e the bir thplace of St. Col b A ﬂag t n marks 1 041 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

the s o in ac er an ere Columcill w s o p t Bl k G t wh e a b rn. Once it was thick and ponderous ; now it is wornthis ’ by thousands of E rins childrenwho h ave r ested a night there in the hope that the saint would give

hems ren ear the an s of o e t t gth to b p g h mesicknss.

F or Columcille mse was an e a n hi lf xile nd, thirtee

cen r es a o in l h v tu i g , chil Iona, e wrote erses full of

n n fo E r n ans e o r . to Al a he mo r e l gi g i B i h d b , u nd

the s ee of the orac e a or him n i wa p d c l th t b e o h s y.

ere is a re e e a oo s a u o r n Th g y y th t l k b ck p nE i , “ s a be i s a l ot see ur n th m of id ; t h l n d i g life, e en ” ve n a rs E r nor e r s . I er ea rememer n in th i wi l t y , b i g

a a on h r s h ppy d ys g e by, e c ie out, Were all the

u of mine r mhe cener to h or e trib te Alba , f o t t t e b d r , I would prefer the site of one house inthe middle of ” rr The memor of the s rea n rees the De y. y p di g t ,

n r s e e s r an ma e hims c f or tu eful bi d , th whit t d, d i k

ome e e is ca of the c rac or r nhe e e. e h . Th i typi l C lti M than a thousand years have elapsed since he wr ote t ese one no En l s Dr Si rson h words , d i t g i h by . ge

’ e li u Twer de ghtf l, 0 Sonof God, orwar rin F d fa g, ai hois over s S l to t urges, Home to E rin but they voice the yearning of his spiritual child ren to s da The se same on n can e e th thi y. lf l gi g b f lt in e

oemof o our a ar ne p a Celt f day, K th i TynanHink son and inthe r n s of man a o er c i of , w iti g y nth h ld ’ E rin es es ea t ese verses rom rs . Hinksons b id . R d h f M ” o n inthe rees bo k, The Wi d T ,

1 06 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

” a s s n inhis r s as o s cl s of o g I i h Pe ant S ngs . It i ” ca le wee e an nit e s r l d S t Coot hill Town, d i th inge tells his love for the towninwhich he was bornand

re an c s i o o b d, d whi h, to hi grief, he s nw f rced to

a a a n s s le ve. D ve Dw ne of Gle o heen u ed to sing it and the as me Dr ce hear was at an l t ti . Joy d it — Americanwake the evening before the departure of a c man em rans for mer ca ave was o p y of ig t A i . D

n awa the r es a d he s an the s n goi g y with t , n g o g with ’ s en ee n a inDr . c s o s h uch int se f li g th t, Joy e w rd , t e

o oma mn om c in wh le c p ny, e , w en and hildren, were ” ” ar ha is o more a s t ar a o te s. T t nw th n ix y ye s g , s a s Dr o e and to s our ﬁnd ar to y . J yc ; , thi h , I it h d ” n a ars re a t ce e. e restrainte , whenI c ll he s Wh t b

am a wan l os een di he s c e of D ve D e of G en h , and d ing the old songs in the New World ? Who knows ? w il ” Here is S eet Cooteh l Town,

w fare you well. sweet Cootehill Town. The place where I was bornand bred ; Through shady groves and ﬂowery bills

My youthful fancy did serenade. ’ But now I mbound f or Amerikay A country that I never saw : ’ Those leasant scenes I ll a wa s min p l y d, w WhenI amgoing f ar a ay.

The pleasant hills near Cootehill Town Where I have spent my youthful days ; Both day and night I took delight

Indancing and inharmless plays. Bu while r ve romtownto town t, I o f , The memory inmy mind shall stay a a outh ul h urs Of those ple sant. h ppy, y f o d d That now are spent an passe away. SONGS OF JOY AND SORROW

I h0 pe kind fate will reinstate, ’ That fortune s face will onme smile, And safe conduct me home again To my owndear native Irish isle ; Whenmy comrades all and friends likewise ill r n aroun and wi a W th o g d thus ll s y, ' We will sing and play as indays of old ; ’ ” So you ve welcome home fromf ar away.

At times of parting eveninanimate obj ects seem to share our sorrow and almost reproach us f or leav in a re r e s a uc n s r g them. L dy G go y t ll to hi g to y of

r o s n m r a e Onthe anI ishwomanwh wa goi g to e ig t . las da he was s en inthe me she r ose t y s to p d old ho , at a n to a a w t t e ear m ar d w , t ke a f re ell look a h d , f a ili

ec s she u ne er see a ain The r man obj t wo ld v g . poo wo envied the birds that were fr ee of the air and the beasts that were free of the mountains and were not ” forced to go away . But the hardest fate of all is that of the loved ones — who re e w o e a l ft behind, ives anxi usly awaiting mony to pay their passage ; old mothers hoping against ’ ’ e f or the an erer s re urn r a s us has hop w d t . I el nd m e

ra man a e c c ures suc cens Who d wn y p th ti pi t of h s e . ‘ ’ c an forget Lady Duﬁ erins Song of the Irish E migr ant

’ I m i in lon r b dd g you a g fa ewell, My Mary kind and true ; ’ B l no r o ut I l t fo get y u, darling, ’ I e lan oin nth d I mg g to. ’ They say there s bread and work f or all And the sky shines always there ; ’ n r ld relan But I ll ot fo get O I d, e es air W re it twenty tim as f . 1 08 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

I n meri c in ustra a un A a, A li , der the bur ning

of ou r c ere er he ma be the ris emi S th Af i a, wh v y , I h

r n o s ba to the ol ome i on g a t lo k ck d h w th l ging. Fate may never permit himto return; but his interes t in

N or as E rinnever ﬂags. h this interest beena barren

sen mn The o n of a - d ti e t. d w fall semi feudal lanlor d systemwould not have beenpossible had it not been

for the in uence em a a rers the ns ﬂ of igr nt l bo , pe of

e r rs l a o s rls xpat iate autho , the do l rs f Iri h ser vant gi

e nd s ar es K ickhamhas ne s me b yo sea . Ch l J . do o

smal m s r f usticeh - an ns a men as were l ea u e o j i t l t, it — to Irish girls inhis Irish Peasant Girl

r i O b ave, brave Irish g rls W e well may call you brave !

Sure, the least of all your perils I th storm w e s e y ocean av , Whenyou leave your quiet valleys A nd cross the tlantic oam A f , To hoard your hard-won earnings e me For the helpless ons at ho .

This chapter beganwith love ; it may well end with

e n r mr sin inthe mrnn to n to d votio . F o i g o i g goi g

bed at e r a u act the ael has its night, ve y h bit al of G

acc ma m f r a er Ba in read se n o p ni ent o p y . k g b , tti g

out o o o n to urc ten n the ﬁre n a j urney, g i g ch h, di g

al ra mens of er se l have their suitable prayers, f g t v mnd descended fromparent to child time out of i . Nobody knows who made them; they are par t of the

ra onof t ce u ess man em a e t diti he ra . Do btl y of th h v

er s b r u as e has c e e man p i hed ; ut D . Do gl Hyd oll ct d y beautiful examples and they are preserved inhis Re

1 1 0 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

ar meet me at h ort O M y, t e p ; Do not let my soul (go) by tbee; a m a Gre t is y f ear t tby Son.

communion f salnts ma w Inthe o the y e be, v Listening to the oices of the angels, d r no for ever d eve An p aising the So f God an r.

d in n o o r wa be not ff e An , goi g ny u y, pu d up with pride because of the richness of your garments ; for t is the r s the s a o s ou not i d e s of oul th t G d ees . W ld the world be better if people acted up to this little verse fromUlster ?

Look not with pride at thy polished shoe, Be not proud of thy cloak so nice humilit wal the roa a oot I n y k d f , nd wa ute h or man i A al ys sal t e po tw ce.

Many of these poetic fragments enshri ne doctrine

an s r ce s he we me un a e d piou p e pt . T y lco S d y ; th y inculcate devotionat Mass ; some of the most beauti

a f o e a ful are medit tions or H ly Communion. Wh nd y

r s a m nar e th ﬁre is d aw to a close nd bedti e is e , th n e ” to e sa e The owin ea is ere b v d . gl g p t cov d up with

s s s r u the n she a hes and burn lowly th o gh ight. As does this oﬂice the goodwife says

I save this ﬁ re

a As Christ once saved ll.

May Bride care and keep it. ’ s on ca OnMary high S I ll. The three angels most mighty ’ I nheavens hall

Until day shall dawn. SONGS OF JOY AN D SORROW 1 1 1

And before lying downf or the night the Bed Dann is said

I stretch onthis bed As I shall stretch in har conession make to T ee A d f I h , O God ; absolution I am” mg of F r v l s o o the e i saying f my mouth, For il n a the ev thinki g of my he rt, For the evil actions of m esh y ﬂ , v i a e E eryth ng that I have s id that was not tru , v E erything that I have promised and have not fulﬁlled. CHAPTER VI

I ON GI OF WORK AN D P LAY

Nowrmnnhas music beenmade to serve the turnof th r r ac ca an n an e laborer mo e p ti lly th i Ireland. M y occupations have associated with themancestr al tunes

n s c ass are the o unes of high a tiquity. Of thi l pl w t

e for nn we vin The and the tuns used spi ing and a g.

r s sun plow tunes a e of peculiar intere t . They were g w ow or whistled by the ph wmanas he follo ed the pl . Petrie thinks them as old as the race which intro ” r duced into Ireland the use of the plow . I nthei wildness and freedomfromobvious planthey strike u nthe car e me med a ons a r mus po lik lodic it ti , so t of i cal reamin a ud r e ul uns mme r a nas d g lo , g ac f ly y t ic l . I much as they served to stimulate and to pacify the laboring horses they were utilitarian; but to look uponthemas this and nothing more would be to miss

r ar r s n can F or ese s ra ns are the thei l ge ig iﬁ ce. th t i

r u na ure m ds m s in c th mena p od ct of t oo , ood whi h e t l machinery seems to be quiescent and the soul to per ceive n s not uc sa t a v e enc thi g vo h fed to he cti e int llig e.

The s r a nn s s t art tu n r m t i i g hor e , he e h up rni g red f o the s are th ma c f e m s plow h , e gi o th orning : all the e

n s ener no ese me es c th man thi g t i t th lodi whi h e plow , man and a t his n boy, h s repeated a task for u told enra e ns. Dr Si erso inhis r s th ae g tio . g n Ba d of e G l l l,

1 1 4! THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ the w r s w c ere sun an c Cu of o d hi h w g to it d whi h O rry,

e ear eminhis o o r fo who oft nh d th b yho d, reco ded r ‘ ’ ’ his r en As a e as O urr s m wa f i d. l t C y ti e, it s usual

to a e ree menen a e at the h as man h v th g g d plow, wit y

as i Th r four or s x horses . e Headsman d ove ; the Tailsman stood inthe f ork to guide the plow ; the Thir dman leaned on the head of the plow with a

r h ee w As e r the r dis c utc to k p it do n. th y wo k t io cuss the prospects f or dinner and what they say largely depends onthe reputationof the good wife.

h o s s rs o If t e outlo k i bad they abu e the ho e, if go d

e re m ndl The e emen mr sa n th y a ore ki y . l t of i p ovi tio which enters inhere is commoninIrish occupation s n s The a sman e ns the o e to he o g . T il b gi , giving t n t

w is n ers w c is r e a e a ter song ith h ope ing v e, hi h pe t d f every additional bit of tidings fromthe Thirdman. They tr ace the cornfromits sowing to its appear

The a s ans n s the ance onthe table as bread . T il m i g ;

m w r s eec and the r er o ns in Third anans e s in p h , D iv j i

s as ns w c are sun all the uni on of the l t li e , hi h g by

ree inc orus The eme of the son is the c rn th h . th g o to be used f or the repast and the singers tr ace it in imagination fr omits reaping to its appearance on

a The r ula en s se f rea i to ree the t ble. fo m l d it l d ly f

a me an is u an two ers ns tr e t nt, d it doubtf l if y v io

a r would exactly g ee. — Tailsman Goad and strike and drive ’ The bad womans little brownmare ; o Th mas P ut your foot onthe pl w, 0 o ,

A nd see if our dinner is coming. — - Thirdman I t (the cornf or dinner ) is a reaping. SONGS OF WORK AN D PLAY 1 1 5

Tailsman— oa and s ri nd G d t ke a drive, etc. Thirdman—I is - re t a th shing. Tailsman—Goa and stri e and rive e C d k d , t . Thirdman—I t is ~winnwi a o ng. Tailsman—Goa and stri e d k and drive, Thirdm — -d an I t is a rying. Tailsman—Goa and stri e and riv d k d e, etc. Thirdman—I t is a- rinin g d g. Tailsman—Goa and stri e n i d k a d dr ve, Thirdmnn—I - n t is a sifti g. Tailsman— oa and stri n i G d ke a d dr ve, Third an— s - m I t i a kneading. Tailsman— oa and stri e and ri e e G d k d v , tc. Thirdman—I t i - s a baking. Tailsman— o d t i G ad an s rike and dr ve, Thirdman—I - n t is a comi g. Tailsman—Hob and ein d H an drive, ’ The good womans little brownmare : no e the hor Thomas U y k ses 0 , w a n i N o th t our diner s ready.

’ Most people are famili ar with Handel s Har ” o i mnous Blacksmith . The melody was obviously ’ s uggested by the blows of the smith s sledge onthe ’ ” The m s n the r s e sanr anvil. S ith So g of I i h p a t y was r a its re ecesso n s n one p ob bly p d r by lo g age . A y hearing the tune will recogniz e its worthiness to be

w a s n compared with the better kno n Germn o g. ’ h e ver he m s une is th u come W il , howe , t S ith T e o t no u of an occupation and could t exist witho t it,

a it is ot a c u a on une The strictly spe king n no c p ti t . ’ smith s calling is too noisy to be vocal f or anyone with lungs less powerful than those of a Stentor . ’ The clang of the smith s hammer was none the less th r n the me we er has een e inspi atio of lody, ho v . It b 1 1 6 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ se u n u s f o e r ams an O Curr ized po by yo th r th i g e , d y tells us that the mothers of Connacht oftenused it to t e r st ess c W i e sh san an r c soo h a e l hild. h l e g d o ked the child the womanwould beat the ﬂoor with heel ’ n e e a e mmck he sm s an ham a d to alt rnt ly , i i ing t ith h d m and s ed The w rds of the s n are su er big l ge. o o g p posed to be spokenby a smith whose wif e has eloped

r E ac ers e n en s a with a tailo . h v e b gi s and d with

ins hr c a m ma th couple of l e , sung t i e e ch ti e, i it ting e blow of the hammer and the sharp ringing of the anvil Din on didilium g, d g, . i e i ow Str k th s ; bl this.

It would be hard to parallel the imitative perfec

on s e re ra n o ti of thi littl f i . Here are a couple f s ana th t z s of e song,

in on di D g d g dilium.

tri e this low is. S k ; b th (Three times. ) My wife has gone it e ai r W h th ry tailo . N ot well canI see A hatchet or reaping hook ; N ot well canI see s e or sl A pad a eaghan ( tur f spade) , Since fromme hath gone statel wi e My y f , With a misera le b gag, Witho a ut c ttle or purse. n n d i o idili m . D g d g u . etc

Din on didi n g d g li m, Stri e this low this Th ti k ; b . ( ree mes . ) My wife has gone With the airy tailor

1 1 8 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAND click of the spinning wheel have beensuggesters of

m a es E en u s melody fromre ote g . v q een did not dis dain to grind corn and spin in the Ireland of old — to s da in out-of the-wa a es and, thi y, y pl c , good a e armens for the ami ese oc wives we v g t f ly. Th cupations have givenrise to a notable literature of The uern unes e er and the s n s con song. q t , how v , o g

em a e near all er s ed une nected with th h v ly p i h . One t “ that has beenpreser ved formed part of the Irish

en w r E ntertainment giv by Horncastle. The o ds

r is t originally sung to it a e lost. It interesting o learnthat the ﬁrst mill for grinding cornwas erected

orma the k n in the t r cenur for his by C c i g, hi d t y, i ’ a Ce muit. E er da eimuit h to bondmid, v y y C ad grind a certainquantity of cornand the king wish — ing to lightenher labors for Ceimuit was beau

u —sen across the sea f or a m tif l t illwright, and he

ame and bu l the ml c i t i l. Fortunately the sp inning songs of Erinhave es caped the f ate which has deprived us of the quern ’ son s re and s s innn and u n a t g . I l p i gs q ilti gs re no yet

n of the s an th r v v a thi g pa t, d e e i ed national spirit expressed in the Gaelic League prompts the hope that this tr easure of the ancient lor e of the Irish w be reser e The s nnn a a ill p v d. pi i gs nd quiltings re neighborhood gatherings of young women to pre ar w l n ﬂ fo s p e oo a d ax r the loom. A they wor k they s T s s v ing. he melodie are tune that ha e served the s sam s e e r o m out m . The w r s f or lf pu p e ti e of ind o d , the mos ar are ma e u as the son s s t p t, d p g i ung and formimprovised dialogues onthe love aff airs of the SONGS OF WORK AND PLAY 1 1 9

’ n e t e coman s u nc ese you g p ople of h p y acq ainta e. Th themes are worked out accor ding to a simple form

s ers i urn r a rse. ula, the ing nt cont ibuting ve To ’ e s ace for momn s r o n ac giv p a e t eﬂecti n, betwee e h verse of r ma ter a s s r s l eal t , nonene ve e of Gaelic sy lables i e th o n , l k e D w derry down of old English

a la s or the F al lal la of the ma ri a is in b l d d g l , tr oduc n s w ed. I thi simple ay the gossip of a neigh borhood is urne t s n The s t d ino o g. keener the wit

s n ers th s r . of the i g , e p ightlier will be the song ’ O Curry noted down a c ouple of typical examples . But it must be borne inmind that the words ineither

are on casua th a a a case ly l ; e formul lone is permnent. The es sence of the spinning s ong lies in its im

romtu c arac er p p h t . ’ ’ I n O Curry s ﬁrst example one of the company begins by singing the refr ain

Mallo lero is imbo nero which is nothing more thana metrical group of syl lables e the He nonino a es n , lik y of Sh k peare. A other gi rl star ts the song proper with some such statement as :

traverse the wood whenda w n I d y as breaki g.

The ref r ainis a a ear e n s ce g inh d, b i g ung twi , to end the rs erse a e n t s e ﬁ t v nd b gi he econd . Th n a companiondarts a shaft of insinuation

’ For ohn carroll ou wan ere a J O y d d so e rly.

The merr y controversy will last as long as the gi rls 1 20 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND have the fancy and mischief to carry onthe fence

ee rse the rs s n e on of of repart . Of cou , ﬁ t i g r will n e ’ arro Her ma e ne as muc and t re out O c ll. t k w h h w

no n he is no a the name in pure wa t n ess . S t dis p pointed inher expectationof a breezy answer :

d e et hi l Wiith ga s b girt l mp ow through Erinn.

’ anner ess ir he s our match f or a h an Y m l l us . ou g , y b d

a s i ot But a mtch is ju t what he s n , as the ﬁrst ’ singer s disavowal shows :

' I care not. Leave oﬁ . e m r lo G t me y t ue ve.

So they suggest another name

Thomas ’Maddi a ak d O g n t e an be blessed with.

’ Thomas is more to the lady s taste

I ake and and ma well wear m t hell y I y husband,

she e l ms and the r has ease d xc ai , gi l who t d her a ds, so that there may be no h ard feeling :

To the East or the est o n e W may y u ev r be parted.

N ow another girl invites the malicious lightning with the ch allenge :

Go Westwnd Eastwar and ﬁnd e go d m my true love.

She does not ask invam

1 22 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND u o an her o e s n t s e p n d l v r cho e , he ing rs off er sug

s n f o the r s n t m w r ge tio s r fu ni hi g of he ho e, hat chee

ere s a be and the n f coma a l be th h ll , ki d o p ny th t wi l

oun t ere ome me anin v ua s n er h f d h . S ti s di id l i g , wit a ready imagination and the knack of thinking in me er w runonw a e su s n r ea t , ill ith doz n gge tio s, ep t

‘ — ing the middle part of the melody which divides — natur ally into three parts ending at last with the

o c u n art of th t c nl di g p e melody . I n order that he manner of s n n ma b ear u ers oo th i gi g y e cl ly nd t d, e so is e in ts n r ng giv n i e ti ety, refrainand all

r tho air love on and ior e n O o, u f d e, o, thou fair d ar o e, ’ ’ Who s the young womanthat s to be married this Shrovetide? ai ov n lam an Oro, thou f r l ed o e, thou b d thou love.

d Oro, thou fair loved one, an ioto, thou fair dear one, ’ r O Clear acc r in as un erst n Ma y y, o d g I d a d. ro ou air ove one tha lam and thou lov O , th f l d , n b e.

o and o Oro, thou fair loved ne, ioro, th u fair dear one, Who is the young man that is struck at so luckily ? o ai ve one tho am an o v Oro, th u f r lo d , u l b d th u lo e.

d Oro, thou fair loved one, an loro, thou fair dear one, ’ t John O Kennedy, according as I unders and . o ai ove one thou am and thanlove Oro, th u f r l d , l b .

v on a d ro o ai ar ne Oro, thou fair lo ed e, n lo , th u f r de o , What nuptial suit shall be found f or the couple ?

o ai ove o e thou lam and thou love. Or , thou f r l d n, b

a v one an loro o air ear one Oro, thou f ir lo ed , d , th u f d , A twelve hundred tick with white feathers ﬁlled ; White linensheets and white blankets abundant ; il the earest in imeric A quilt of ﬁne s k, d L k ; SONGS OF WORK AND PLAY

Candlesticks of gold upontables a glistening; n Good gold and silver intheir pockets a j ingli g A plentiful board and a cheer ful gay company ; And I fervently pray that they gainthe victory ;

e thanlam and thou love. Oro, thou fair loved on, b

- Her e is a good example of the spinning song

ts s m c is a for ere mus c is melody. I i pli ity typic l ; h i the mediumof story and repartee and there canbe - no departure f romsquare cut regularity of form. air is the s n ers Daintily miniature though the , i g themselves are not more characteristically

innin on Ex. 26. Sp g S g.

I t would be a sad omissionto pass onfromthis branch of our theme without making some r eference to the par t played by the spinning wheel inIrish

Th ma en at the s nnn w ee is ar poetry. e id pi i g h l p t

o the r e e s a e sun her of the tradition f ac . Po t h v g ; 1 24 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND she smiles inart ; a hundred romances are centered

r o r a s a e ra s a s h r about he . J hn F nci W ll r t nl te e image into verse as light as gossamer :

r o s n Merrily, chee ily, nisele sly whirri g ’ win the wheel s i t wh S gs , p ns he eel, while the foot s stirring Sprightly and brightly and airily ringing ri l the sweet voice of oun e i Th l s the y g maid n s nging.

I nthe hands of Authur Perceval Gr aves the con ceit takes on a droll turnthat is deliciously Irish

Show me a sight Bates for delight Anoul rish wheel wid a o rish irl at it d I y ung I g , Oh no !

’ Nothing you ll show ’ als her si in an a in a ir a i Aqu tt g t k g tw l t t.

Look at her there ai Night in her h r, The blue ray of day fromher eye laughing out onus ! ’ Faix, an a foot,

Per fect of cut, ’ P ee in to ut an end to al ou t inus p p l d b .

’ e the lams wool Se , b Turns coarse and dull sh n e themso eauti ul wee white ha s of h r. By ft, b f , y, d

Down goes her heel, ’ Roun goes the wheel ’ er Purrin wid pleasure to take the commands of h .

Besides songs which partly owe their structural

a ac r o t a or e o are ch r te t he l b they light n, ther airs linked with various employments in a more general way and testify that associations by their titles .

1 26 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D

’ all the men a s reat n the er i Of th t b hi g, rov s my ” del and ight, the song tells how he travels from t nto n n n his m ow tow , cha gi g eans of livelihood ea ch.

I n i urn ’ L sb he s a weaver, asier i A. gl nLurgantown I rma ’ nA gh he s a j oiner, smith in or A P tadown. ’ I nDungarvanhe s a ﬁsherman nd o te n A f nplows the bri e, I nYoughal a wool camber And ma es k his wool to shine.

Let us rnnow r m r a ns e of tu f o wo k to pl y . I pit he sorro has t a r ws, E rin he gayest f ncy of all the sin ers of t na ons ance une re o g he ti . Her d t s a pr ’ vocative ; they arouse all a mans gladness ; they are characteristic pictures of the Gael inhis lighter mo mens ese ances w mst rememer are I r e t Th d , e u b , ’ an s a nrees her mus c of au er th mus l d G u t , i l ght , e ic w c on on a o ma e the omor an or e hi h, l g, l g g , d F i s f g t

arna i mr t c o soo o d e . Y c g n i th e , be ause, f r th ! the l

s and ree s r n a sme t e s ma er jig l b i g il o th lip , ny p sons assume that they must be artistically insignif

t as u ne een a co ne an ican. Since whenh d ll ss b c u t d ’ attribute of genius ? De we enj oy Virgil s picture of ’ s the ess o s e c on of the rival hepherds l , r Ovid d pi ti

n an th sa rs ecause e are umorous ? Sile us d e ty , b th y h Surely our attitude towards these wonder ful dances is a we s ou reco n e hout spoiled by c nt, or h ld g iz , wit a e are not mere merr cavil or reservation, th t th y ly y

t mus c ms r and quaint, bu good i , u ic wo thy of the SONGS OF WORK AND PLAY 1 27

great composers ? Beethoventhought so highly of ’ r c s Da a h of St . Pat i k y th t e left us a setting it ” and Moscheles made a canon of Garryowen. Perhaps people would be less condescending towards

t ese o anes f a mor n h f lk d c o the G el , if it were e ge erally knownhow str iking is the resemblance they bear to the themes of the lighter movements of the

eet o ens m ones th r a B h v y ph i . Let e eader comp re the theme of the Scherzo of the E roica with the ’ s e mens ere en of re an s s and e s p ci h giv I l d jig re l .

He see a e on o s will th t th y bel g t the same genu . Here is the theme of the Scherzo

‘ ” Scherz o lb eme from“ Eroica S mh Ex. on 27. y p y.

Ireland has two dances which surpass all others n ne s i re . e are the and i t t Th y jig the reel . Some au ors s ee to r a e the to an a r th k t c jig Itali n sou ce. They base it on the gigas of Corelli and his suc 1 28 THE SONG LORE OF IR ELAND cessors and in on rma on of s ew o n to , c ﬁ ti thi vi , p i t the vogue which Corelli had inIreland inthe early

o t ese e years f he eighteenth century . Th good peopl overlook the pr esence of jigs in publications eu ’ terior no a l a n to Corelli, t b y in Pl yford s Da cing ” s c ame o t i s c ss v ns Ma ter, whi h c u n uc e i e editio be

w s t een 1 650 and 1 700, and which contain many c nessed r s unes h s s n le ac es awa o f ly I i h t . T i i g f t do y with the claims of the would-be Italianizer s of t he

i s d J g as f ar a Corelli is concerne , and he is the ma nsta eir as i y of th c e.

aro an is r e s a ene but C l , it t u , hows I tali n inﬂu c ;

ere aned in re an n e re his da j igs w d c I l d lo g b fo y.

ore er ar a was nesse an ma of M ov , C ol n co f dly i it tor

r a a e enc ere is on s the g e t Corelli . Wh t vid e th thi

n en s to the conclt ion hat Eu o e rs poi t t d u t r p , ﬁ t

ro a en rm s n e e to re th ugh It ly, th Ge any, i i d bt d I

an o s s r es a es er re as l d f r thi p ightli t of d nc . Th e a p sages is Corelli which strongly suggest acquaint ’ w a i ance ith Irish music. We have G lilei s test mony that Italy owes the harp to E rin; why not the j i g also? When the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnel

ﬂ to om in 1 08 e had a un re rs ns ed R e 6 , th y h d d pe o in e ra nan is none a e in e of the th ir t i d it i c c iv bl , vi w tenacity with which the chieftains clung to clan

sa s a the man did ot n u e ar ers u ge , th t co p y n i cl d h p

a r a an a ese and pipers . Wh t more p ob ble th th t th men or their disciples played in the hearing of Corelli ? He was bornin1 658 ; so there is no chron m n ological diﬁ culty inthe way of the eeti g . ” wa i The or wh c It s a j g, Top of C k Road, i h

1 80 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAND m es th n a th o d od , e Dorian, proof sufﬁcie t th t e l sca es ere ar of no mere ms ca a e l w p t u i l di l ct, but

u v were ni er sal intheir emotional signiﬁcance. Another characteristic Ji g is Wink and She Will ” o . a r m Foll w Y ou The fact th t it is int iple ti e,

a of t - t na nc d inste d he six eight of he ordi ry da e, e c ares a r s e ca a ho The l it to be wh t I i hmn ll p jig. shamr ock itself is not more Irish thanthis jig and it argues ill for the ancestry of anyone who calls himself a Celt to be able to hear it without a ting n inthe oes li g t .

Wink and she wmfoll w . o you. SONGS OF WORK AND PLAY 1 81

The exuberant gayety which characterizes the Ji g

e e the same ster n is also present inthe re l , likewis li g

has een ene some in ers musical virtue. It b d i d by th k or he that music is capable of expressing hum . T y

m is inthe is ener not inthe mus c. say the hu or l t , i If metaphysics makes it impossible for people to per ceive the high spirits and downright funin Toss ” th ﬁne ree rom o n are the Feathers, e l f C u ty Cl

ess eo e a e to w printed below, thenthe l p pl h v do ith

r ous f ea ure a ou metaphysics the better . A cu i t b t

is l er an this tune is its lack of anending. It it ally

lo is so ns ruc ed a the end inﬁnite me dy. It co t t th t leads back to the beginning and the piper goes on playing ina circle till the sturdies t couple has had

er a a w a e a ance une in a enough. H e g in e h v d t

r s e ese n en e c es as ca mo es chu ch cal . Th a ci t c l i ti l d of s a d e are enter into the very ﬁber Ir ish mu ic, n th y oftenthe means of those suddenchanges frommir th — to melancholy the very sunshine and tears of music

— r a r s e d which a e so ch racte i tic of Irish mlo y.

l Ex. 30. Clare Ree . Toss the Feathers . 1 82 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D

A r eel gave Joseph Mccall the idea of his peas ” ant Herse f and se . e er th s r t idyll, l My lf If v e pi i

o t e r ee oun e ress onin e r in f h l f d xp i po t y , it is this

u e o er w fu an ha s song. It b bbl s v ith n d s j u t enough

en erness to ma e s ee as el as merr Mr t d k it w t w l y. . McCall did not adapt his lyric to strict reel time ; he contented himself with putting into words the

s an pirit of the d ce.

" ’ ’ Twas e on at a re in a en o l s in b y d M c dd , t Ow D y e wedd , he o air of f r T b ys got the p us out o a reel. ” ’ ” Sa s o s us s. a n y I, B y , exc e u S ys they, Do t refuse us. ’ ” ’ I ll la nice an is sa s arr Nei l p y d a y, y L y O l . ' ’ ’ o w nt ri t S oﬁ we e t ppin it, up an down s eppin it Herself and myself onthe back of the doore ; Till o l — d less her—ell into the e er M l y Go b f dr ss , ’ v il An I tumbled o er a ch d onthe ﬂoore.

’ ” Sa s erse sel We re as oo as the es of them. y H lf to My f, g d b t ’ a s sel o erse Shur we re betther than ol . S y My f t H lf, e g d ’ Sa s ersel to l W e re as oun as the rest f them. y H f Myse f, y g o ’ s se o ersel Troth we ll never ro old . Say My lf t H f, , g w

1 84! THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

n r ra a l o s re a M . oo w a I l d. G tt nF d, h h done valuable ’ or i n a e s s o s w k n analyzi g Sh k speare s Iri h allu i n, identiﬁes the Fading with the Rinnce F-ada or Long

a t Si e r e e o er e and the Vir D nce, akin o r G o g d C v l y ginia Reel ; Trenchmore is the Rinnce Mor ; the

i une for the tiomanor sma ar dumpe s a t p ll h p. It

a a all s a e urv a mn is prob ble th t the e d nc s s ive, fr g e taril at eas in the set and a ll y l t, ﬁgure d nces sti

rac i re an races of t e on nc p ticed n I l d . T h L g Da e — are to be found indeed in all Celtic countries sure

i s r cha a er was s a proof of t t ibal r ct . It the fe t l

ance o the eo e and a r c enne wh s w d f p pl , P t i k K dy, o a

n1 1 2 has ef a c oun i a it danced i 8 , l t na c t nhis B nks ” th oro of the manner in w c the eo e of e B , hi h p pl

He sa s a e ere in e dr essed f or it. y th t Th y w th ir

e v a s coa nee reec es w s oc shirt sl e es, w i t t, k b h , hite t k

ums all r h co ors ar u e r ings and turnp p , b ig t l o nd th i wa s and r b ns of w e hue en rc n ea s i ts, i bo hit ci li g h d ,

s v n an oo the s ou ers shirt lee es, k ees d b ts , h ld getting

a w e r ue The ir s had more th n as th i d . g l their hair ” w r in n decked with ribbons and e e their Su day garb.

Th mee n of two r oa s at the end of the a e e ti g d , vill g , was the f avorite place for the holding of these fes t vals and oun ere on to mee ere and i . Old y g w w t t th

t e wen merr the sound of he pip t ily. When the people were tir ed of the Long Dance

r ans n ua anc n w and its many va i t , i divid l d i g ould be

in ome o a es ave e r anomime ances g . S l c liti h th i p t d

s old meas ures s l ers s F or and relics of the e ti l p i t . ’ m e imer c had its u er s arc ex a pl , L i k City B tch M h ’ and the boys of Wexford have Dr oghedy s SONGS OF WORK AND PLAY 1 85

” ar ans are at March . What the latter was antiqu i a oss e rmn a r c enned who saw it l to d te i e. P t i k K y,

ance near u re ears of a e sa s was d d ly a h nd d y g , y it

r danced by six menor boys armed with sho t cudgels .

s mo e r u the s s of the ance each A they v d th o gh tep d , manfenced his nearest neighbor and the pipes made ’ E as er and music like Brian Boru s march . At t

sun e er ar a nc s ome a e e Whit tid th e e c ke da e . S l wif with an eye to business provides the cake and it is s t or ona ar on h to f a o e f or all to e f th bo d t e p o p l , s o t mes it is ento the s ancer some ee. S me i giv be t d ;

es to the merr wa mla on is r e and tim iest g. E u ti if e er bo ves the er a enn so he ma v y y gi pip p y, that y

us c and anc w his o e have m i d e ith c ll en. Goldsmith is not gener ally r egarded as a Celtic

oe ut a t ou s mannr wa p t ; b , l h gh hi e s English , the picture he paints of the rural sports at eventide is surely based onrecollections of his boyhood days

at sso . acau a arme w s r n ualiﬁca Li y M l y , d ith t o g q

ons fo r e cence sa s a u was ti r ti , y th t Aub rn anEnglish, not an Irish village ; but the picture squares with tra onand the e a ls ear the s am of ru diti d t i b t p t th.

How o tenhave lesse the comin da f I b d g y, Whentoil remitting lent its turnto play ; And all the villa e train romla or ree g , f b f , Led up their sports beneath the spreading tree ; While man a astimcircle inth sha y p e d e de, The oun conten in as the old surve e y g d g y d, ’ And many a gambol frolicked o er the ground And lei hts f an a s g o h d and fe ts of strength went round. nd s ll c e ir A ti as ea h r peated pleas ure t ed, Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspired : 1 86 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

dancing pair that simply sought By holding out to tire each other down; swainmistrustless of his smutte ace d f , While secret laughter tittered round the place ; ’ v r in i lo v The bashful i g s s de ng looks of lo e, ’ The matrons glance that would those These were th charms sweet villa e s orts li e these y , g ; p k , ’ With sweet successiontaught e entoil to please

1 88 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

mor a s here is ea ous e ween music sung by t l . T j l y b t

s n th name oo eo e is the two race . Eve e G d P pl givenby the Celts to the fairies for the same reason that made the Greeks call the Furies Gracious ” Th a r es w ose e s ence the Goddesses . e f i i , h xi t , by wa is rm l v i man e s- r is y, ﬁ ly be ie ed n by y C lt I h,

o s e s an men es En an ol Sc t , W l h, M x , W t of gl d f k ,

r o s i ld or and th N ew a o c B et n, n the O W ld e , C th li

n s a — ar in s nerme ate be a d Prote t nt alike, e be g i t di

we n n an s he are su ose to be t enma a d the gel . T y pp d the Tuatha de Danann a ms erious eo e w c , th t y t p pl hi h —“ — o came fromGreece ao legend has it long ages ag .

- s e After driving out the sea roving Fomorian, th y

s is wer e in turndispossessed by the Milesian. It said that the Milesians and the Tuatha de Danann

h es an e E r n e we n em. Amer in t e divid d i b t e th g , Mil i

u e a o e to the Tuatha d Danannthe n er j dg , ll tt d e u d

or r r t a e f his ow r ace. w ld, ese ving he earth bov or n

ent a a h T ath ananu c e led Th he D gd , t e u a de D hi f, his eo e to w a is now the of K nockma he p pl h t hill . T y enere the we s of the ar conver the ca s t d bo l e th, ted ve of the hills and the caverns of the sea into beautiful

a a es an er e we v r s n h p l c d th e they hav d lt e e i ce. Wit the advent of Christianity popular ideas about the

a r s un r n a c an T o eo e f i ie de we t h ge. he G od P ple h

‘ an re ar e as a e a ls— o who g to be g d d f ll n nge th se , when war arose in heaven and Lucifer drew after ’ imth r ar of ea ens sons were nei er for h e thi d p t h v , th

s F or av n God nor againt him. this cr en eutr ality

a f eaven e wa oo bad f or they were c st out o h . H ll s t themand heaventoo good ; so they were allowed to SONGS OF FAERIE AND SPIRIT 1 89

ma e r o e r k thei h m on ea th . But they h ave heard how Adamand his seed are to occupy their vacant

r min eave s a o Yet oo h n; o they are j e l us of man.

a is u on n rom s em rom ime ime w tf l l gi g p pt th , f t to t ,

to ues on o e o r f r One q ti h ly mn ab ut thei utu e lot.

a r as o w a o ome of the f i y ked St . C lumba h t w uld bec

a r es onthe as a o mci l o him a f i i l t d y, and C lu l e t ld th t

at o ms a th a s ou e a a e D o d y e f irie w ld b nnihil t d . A parish priest r eturning home one day was sur

r se o a n s p i d t he r the rustle of innumerable little wi g ,

t o u en a vo ce h ugh he could see nothing. S dd ly i “ ” a resse him Who are ou ? eman e the dd d . y d d d “ ” r es . ar t the o ce r e e p i t We e he ClanShee, v i pli d,

and we s ou to ec are a at the as da wi h y d l th t, l t y, our lot w w Sa a the a or ill not be ith Satan. y th t S vi

ed for us a el as for ou di s w l y . ” wi o av r a answ r sa the I ll give y u a f o ble e , id “ r es o w ll m a o n Do ou p i t, if y u i give e h peful o e. y ” ador e and love the Son of God ?

He r e e ed no re n s r l an a n ve c iv ply, o ly h il d pl i ti

r es c i . None of the saints appears to have denied the

e s ene of the r es a r c s m to a xi t c fai i . St. P t i k ee s h ve f elt towards themas Dante and Miltonfelt towar ds — the gods of classic mythology that they were fallen

o fo e es angels who deceived mento ad re them r d iti .

s wors h r ss or s Thi hip e exp e ly f bid . The Irishmangrows up inan atmosphere of the mar e o s F or im rea on is of oo and v l u . h c ti full g d e i o rs a f r mas er ons an v l p we , w rring o the t y . C t tly at his s de n s e comanons of his a i , the i vi ibl p i d ily 1 40 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

e ener n no his er ou s ar two n s lif , t i g i t v y th ght , e a gel , one of Go and one of an s in d Sat . Spirit ride the w nd and in the osomof th c o E ver star i b e l uds. y has its appointed guide ; the round wor ld itself i s s eere r ou th s ow r The t d th gh e ky by anangelic p e . angels of the stars make music together and we mor a s m ear th mo not too t l ight h it, if e el dy were

ure f or umansense se z e e weenthe n e p h to i . B t a g lic hosts and manthe Irishman conceives other orders

n s a d to ma s n w of bei g n , teri ali tic u believers, he ill observe that people who have reasoned all the mys tery out of life cannot hope to escape atrophy of t e ma na o o w e he ar a h i gi ti n. Sh uld e b lieve in t om of ﬂowers if we had not the sense of smell ? Should w cre the s e of ms we r a a e e dit p ll u ic, if we e inc p bl of sweet sounds ? A part of fairy mythology which has always ex ercised a strong hold on the Celtic imaginationis the ea a ara se of the senses s a a s id of p di . Thi p r di e

i no n man names . is Tirnano e the s k w by y It g ,

n of the E er o n is r a th La d v Y u g ; it Hy B zil, e Isle

e eenonc ear a s r mth es rnmos of D light, s l d y f o e w te t

s of r an re e in er e r o cliff I el d, but c d g ev b fo e th se who

t ut i sear of ers now as a pu o n ch it. Oth k it M y

e the a n easure or as the eau u M ll, Pl i of Pl , b tif l country discovered by Prince Gounla at the source of t s re el liam u er e s a a he ac d w l . Wil B tl Y at , th t p ’ our da a s the and of ear s De gan of y, c ll it L H t ' w a e er e n n a wa s oﬂ ers the sire. By h t v titl k ow , it l y same pleasures : skies serene as that stormless heaven in which the gods of Olympus take their eternal

1 42 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

There shall be neither grief nor care ; Whi ar e s te e the te th, black the eyebrow , Pleasant to the eye the number of our host ; nev is h O ery check the ue of the foxglove.

rimson f l i C o the p ain s each brake, ’ Delightful to the eye the blackbird s egg n Though pleasant to behold are the plains of I nisfail, ’ Rarely woulds t thou think of themafter frequenting rea the G t Plain.

Thou intoxicatin thou deemest the ales of nnis ail gh g I f , More intoxicating are the ales of the great land w n n s e f The o derful la d, the land I p ak o , here o th never old a e W y u grows to g .

Warmsweet streams traverse the lan , d, The choicest of mead and of wine ; ansome e without emish H d peopl bl , i o st Concept on with ut sin, without ain.

i e We see everyone on every s d , And none seeth us ; ’ The cloud of Adams transgression Has cause this concealment of us romthem d f .

a if comest to m valiant eo e 0 l dy, thou y p pl A diademof gold shall be onthy head ; Flesh of swine all resh an uets of new mil and , f , b q k ale, o v he wi e B n Shalt th u ha e t re th m, O eﬂ d.

’ Making Adams s inthe cause of the invisibility of the fairy kingdomto mortal eyes is an obvious Chr istiangloss ; so possibly is the suggested sinless

ness of the eo e. the same me is no to p pl At ti , it t be denied that the old religions contained preﬁgura

r r tions of Christianity . Such preﬁgu ations a e also t s an r o be found inBuddhi m d the wo ship of Hellas . SONGS OF FAERIE AND SPIRIT 1 48

The Grecian altar to the Great unknown God re erre a r nd str n f d to by St. P ul is a familia a iki g

King E ochy and his followers were unable to pre n ut the en r rom arr off the u n. B v t Midi f c yi g q ee , by aid of v na on a an the r i sc ere the di i ti , D ll , d u d, di ov d

a n a his moun fairy hill to which she h d bee t ken. T d

e n u is al th y at o ce beganto dig p and, to save h p ac r s ore a n e, Midir e t d Et i . ’ onnla s e ra a ar ar C W ll , Hy B zil nd Moy Mell e v i f Tim n w o of onn ants o anoge. Gou la as the s n C of the un re a s a e o e H d d B ttle . A fairy womanmd l v to himand e oa ff r a oa to th y ﬂ ted o , ina c yst l b t, her n omun er the sea c me sa the ki gd d I have o , id

a r romth an of v w c re is f i y, f e L d Li ing, in hi h the ne er ea nor sin nor r e w o r e ua ith d th , st if ; e enj y pe p t l feasts without anxiety ; benevolence without conten

on. ar e s e a i is e w we ti A l g h e ! f iry h ll] wh re e d ll, ” so a is ene we are ca e s e e The th t it h c ll d h e peopl .

s an of the sea reac r ant no F ebal i l d , hed by B he so f , is a sea r Tirnano eau f scr nis gi t ge. A b ti ul de iptio ’ givenof it inthe seventh-century account of Brans

ourne The o o n rs s ro r ssor j y . f ll wi g ve e f mP ofe Kuno ’ Me er s r ans a on a en in onunct n i h the y t l ti , t k c j io w t

a es of E a and onnla i r n me to the t l t in C , w ll b i g it ho reader how deﬁnite in character was this Celtic dreamof par adise

There is a distant isle n h e s Rou d which sea ors s gli ten, r c rse a ainst the white swirlin r A fai ou g g su ge.

Four feet uphold it, 1 44 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

Feet of white bronse under it,

Glittering through beautif ul ages, ’ o el thro ho w r L v y land ug ut the o ld s age,

Unknownis wailing or treachery l In the famed cultivated and. n o There is nothi g rough r harsh, But sweet music stri in o the ear k g p .

Without grief, without sorrow, without death, Without any sickness or debility i t is i n of mei Tha the s g E n,

r e Wealth, t easur s of every hue, ntle lan s A re inthe ge d, a beauty of freshne s, stenin sweet m ic Li g to us , rin n s D ki g the be t wines.

Goldenchariots onthe sea plain d Rising with the ti e to the sun, Chariots of silver inthe plainof sports mi And of unble shed bronse.

u ame mos eli A beautif l g , t d ghtful. The si n y play ( tting) at the luxurious wi e,

Men and gentle women under a bush,

Without sin, without c a

Years glided by unnoticed in these care-free

ns ss an was in Tir ano e for hau t . O i n g three cen

1 46 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

n Bel res e tion of the great feast of the su . ﬁ th y are called and the weight of evidence is in f avor of their having been originally kindled inhonor of

n en -da a e are aa the od of the su . E B l, g v to y c ttl mes ou h the old aa driven through the ﬂa , th g B l f feast has given place to the Christian festival o

ur se of h s c s omis to ro ect E aster . The p po t i u t p t r the stock fromdisease during the coming yea . Antiquarians see init a memorial of more sinister ob

s summer E ve and at ama n servance . On Mid S h i

e ese (Summer ending) ﬁres are also light d. At th

e o en and the s r es seasons the fairy hills are wid p , p it

m r a s s come and go at will to te pt mo t l . Why thi s u e so or w a er the re a ons of the a r es ho ld b , h t w e l ti f i i

ne h l sun ors has not een e erm . to t e o d w hip , b d t i d It may be th at it means no more thanthe coming to

e er f or more eff ec ve o s on of all the orces g th , ti ppo iti , f

nmca t r s an F or th a s e wer i i i l o Ch i ti ity. e pe sant th se e

m of mn r an as a ro c ti es i gled te ror d f cintion. T o p te t

e r uses rom arm e sca ere r mroses be th i ho f h , th y tt d p i

ore the oor f or th n oss m er r r e f d , e ge tle bl o s w e ega d d as os c c a m t efﬁ a ious shield against the Good People. They also put a lighted tur f under the cr adle and ano er one un er the c rn f or w a r es th d hu , bet eenthe f i i and ﬁre ere s the an a of war r n r n es th i tip thy i g p i cipl . All night long the sound of the fairy pipes was

ear on e i us h d th hills. It s m ic of a per ilous fascina on or mo a f r s. me mes u w th ti — t l So ti it wo ld thro e bearer gener ally a woman; f or women are more sens t e a r mus c han m — n i iv to f i y i t en i to a trance,

and enshe aw e er o e e , wh ok , h wh l b ing would be pos SONGS OF FAERIE AND SPIRIT 1 47

a o a the rea er sessed by inextinguish ble l nging. Th t d may know that the termfairy music means some thing more thanmere sweet melody and that it does

mus c a e ermna e c ar ac er The indicate i of d t i t h t ,

a s s air was re Song of Oon g is ubj oined . Thi

ar r a er nc en a en a n g ded by Pet ie s v y a i t . T k lo g with The Song of the Pretty Girl Milking her ” w e er ea of a a r mus c Cow, it ill giv a bett id wh t f i y i — — really is its delicate aroma than could be con v d nma r s ere is a o is n eye i ny wo d . Th b ut th So g o a s m n ream an a uc na or f Oongh o ethi g d y d h ll i t y ,

- f - r as though the notes were of ivory or mother o pea l . It is the spirit of Tirnanoge expressed inmusic and has ﬁtly beenset by Sir Ch arles Villiers Stanf ord to

n t e a rea uo e on of d r i the a versio of h l dy q t d S g Mi i , n absence of the words o riginally sung to the air , which ar t e los .

in. 31 . The 1 48 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

a e amon the easanr a I t is a popul r beli f g p t y th t,

s s ee on a f a r he wi ear if anyone fall a l p i y hill, ll h the music played by the Good People and it will sink ’ s us was a T urlo h O Carolan into hi soul . Th it th t g came into his heritage of song and many another sonof Erinowes his eloquence and his gift of melody

to the same cause.

n e s me Though there seems to be something deﬁ it , o

s wn ou the r e a r mus c thing peculiarly it o , ab t t u f i y i — — whatever the nature of that music may be the tendency o f the people to apply the name to any lovely tune as a way of expressing admir ationmust

se n s wa the w r s ar be borne inmind . U d i thi y o d p allel the pr aise so often applied to a graceful dancer She has danced to the fairy music onthe ” u ra ons ea s of ar cu ar unes over hill . B t t diti p k p ti l t

r s t em a heard by mortals and p e erved by h . L dy Wilde tells the story of how a piper learned the tune “ Moraleana and of the tragic sequel to which his

ed was onMa E ve and the er knowledge l . It y pip

w enhe ear ea u was walking over the hills, h h d b utif l

1 50 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

e r e has reser a r n rse son o Dr . P t i p ved a f i y u g, b th

d mus c w c e s the s or o marr e wor ds an i , hi h t ll t y f a i d

ho s n carr o th The womanw ha bee ied f by e Shee.

r is su ose to be the oman erse wh is singe pp d w h lf, o nursing a fairy child withinthe conﬁnes of a fairy

n erce e she cansee one of the ne ors fort . U p iv d, ighb ,

n th n the r er To who has come dow to e ba k of iv . this

ma she s n s her s or ne ne e weenthe wo n i g t y, li by li , b t repetitions of the r efrainwith which she croons the ' to e she were to eave c d s n f airy babe sl ep . If l i ging the lullaby the fairies would know what she was do ing and prevent her communicating with the outside ear a ear has e a se s ne she was world. N ly y l p d i c — snatched fromher palfr ey probably leaving be — hind what appeared to be her body and carried into

inthe r of the loc m r s bondage Fo t Hil k . Ti e p e ses, if she is to regainher freedom; for people stolenby the fairies may be redeemed withina twelvemonth of

uc on but a er a ere is no o their abd ti ; , ft th t , th h pe f or

em is a eau u a r ouse inw c she is th . It b tif l f i y h hi h

and oo ee i to oun r hidden g d ch r s be f d the e. Hand some youths and golden-haired lassies are indur ance

men oun a r an is no n and old tightly b d . F i yl d lo ger the delightful place it was inthe days of the heroes ;

more oes conf er the on of mmorta no d it bo i lity. These old menare the stolenyouths of a few year s

o oor wrec s of uman now who so ag , p k h ity , will me

be e a mor a res e in e c an e day l ft by t l ﬁ id , x h g f or nw T young men e ly carried off . he womantells how

n is t c r re ease her husba d o eff e t he l . Whenthe fa ir y p rocessionemer ges fromthe fairy fort onthe night SONGS OF FAE RIE AND SPIRIT 1 51

o ow n h m o th wa c a ece es f ll i g, e ust be n e t h, pi of bl t

c an e inhis a m n the orse the rs r er dl p l , a d h of ﬁ t id that passes himhe must pierce with the blow of a

ac - a e n e But let him eware how he s a s bl k h ft d k if . b t b twice ; for the sec ond blow undoes the harmof the

rs s s ro e w l ss a e h a r ms w ﬁ t . Thi t k il di ip t t e f i y i t ith

c th r s er s n rou er a ere whi h e p i on i e sh ded. H bs g th d near the gate of the f ort will prevent the fairies n ro a a But the ee is r . f mtaking her b ck ag in. n d u ge t

the us n mss s as on is e s to If h ba d i thi occ i , h wif is lo t himorever f . ’ er is t s r ns a rr The H e he ong, as t a l ted by O Cu y.

rs v r ﬁ t verse is gi en inits enti ety, with the refr ain coming betweeneach line and the longer burthenat the c ose l .

0 woman o n rin of h stream bel w o the b k t e ,

Sho hoo lo, sho hoo 10 , Do you understand the cause of any wailing?

Sho hoo lo, sho hoo 10,

ear and this da was whi t of m alf re A y y I p y p y,

Sho hoo lo, sho hoo lo,

i s- - oca And carr ed into the Lia anChn in.

Sho hoo lo, sho hoo lo, - n - - - Sho bee , sho been, sho been, sho been,

Sho hoo lo, sho hoo lo,

- e n h - n ho- o- Sho b e , s o bee , s been, sh been,

Sho hoo lo, sho hoo 10 .

e ti l e Here is here my b au fu gr at house, n ew re and l Abunda t is n ale the old a e, n Abundant is yellow honey a d bees wax there, an s the ld an ti un th M y i o m ghtly bo d ere.

- ai e r Many is the curling brownh r d boy the e, Man is e ow-haired comel irl there y the y ll , y g , 1 52 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

re are tw ve women rin sons e e The el bea g th r , nd man mo re es t A as y re are the b ides hem.

Say to my husband to come to-morrow

With the wax candle inthe center of his palm, i - And in his hand bring a b ack hafted knife,

And beat the ﬁrst horse out of the gap.

’ To pluck the herb that s inthe door of the fort, ith trust in od that woul o hom with him W G I d g e ,

Or if he does not come withinthat time, t will eenover all these womn Tha I be qu e .

r l r a r e as i This fai y g ance o f iry st ok , it s called, thr ows the personagainst whomit is directed into a e - r an Th s u is r a w e the o d ath like t ce. e o l pt, hil b dy - w remains corpse like, or is replaced by a shado y s m a of s l om mes eo s orme e bl nce it e f. S eti a hid u def d c r a u i ni lace the s l rson e t re s left i ts p , or , if to enpe was a c a mserab e c an e n w c rows u hild, i l h g li g, hi h g p to a ervers an ra enous m r er eo e p e d v atu ity. Old p pl , whose character pr oves too strong f or fairy spells

o a a a ns re o en s e w omaﬁlictio t v il ag i t, a ft vi it d ith s e n.

ome mes ut are the ar s a a r or S ti , b r ly, t of f i y doct will r t th r estore the abducted personto his kind ed. Bu e fairy homesickness never leaves him; he longs f or

r t fai yland till he day of his death .

The r s e a who am I i h b gg r tr ps the highway, think in a r Mab and uc na an anan g of f i y P k, of Clio d M nan a r is e m th a M c Li , a fr e anof e re lmthat laid

a es eare un er a ea e a es eare in Sh k p d h vy d bt . Sh k p troduced the fairies into English dr ama and drew Puck and Mab inlines that the Irish peasant would — reco n e as r o da . r n mm g iz t ue t y He e, i Midsu er ’ ” ’ ream s a s a a Night s D , pe k Sh kespe re s Celtic self

1 54 THE SONG LORE OF IREL AND

a a m r a er c s had e nns e the o e. f th , bl k ith , l ft u ﬁ i h d by f g One night he accidentally disturbed the nocturnal visitant and the next day a pig died and one of the

r w sl child en as takenwith the mea es.

v i En a w c a s e to E en n gl nd, hi h is gener lly uppos d have emerged fr omthe period of fairy companion s the easanr ou of the wa aces es e hip, p t y of t y pl , p

i ll in rnwa and the as ora a s w c a y Co ll p t l Midl nd , ill

how he i e- uc of a sure w e s the tell you t P xi P k, ty, i ld

a a n r s t e o ne En f iry ﬂ il at ight and th e hes h c rn. O g

s armr n rou a c i h barn li h f e , peepi g th gh hink n t e , an spied the little fellow har d at work . The yeom ’ o ce a th e o es r a ere so a a nti d th t e lf s cl th we e t tt d ; , d y or two af er s he e h ma new su to a e t ward , l ft i it t k

e r ace ee n r ou the in he saw the th i pl . P pi g th gh ch k ,

es d e i pixi all eck d out n his new attire. The imp sang : Pixey ﬁne and pixey gay; ix nw w a P ey o ill ﬂy way,

an am a mor re i l d he c e b ck no e. The s a so a couplet ’ about Jack O Lanternthat ﬁts Puck perfectly ; for ’ o m ﬂits - - - he, t o, someti es about as a will o the wisp

ac of e l n n J k th a ter , Joanof the wad, Who tic le he mai t ma e her ma k d t d o k d, ’ Lea me home the weath d ; er s bad .

c e on s to the am of h ma s He is Pu k b l g f ily nig t re .

as c an ea e as r o w c eav ir on h g bl P teus. He ill l e the a

the w n s of the a rov t ma ow ss i g e gle, e he e d s inlikene

of a u ca a oa ut a v l b ll, per like g t ; b bo e a l things he prefers to put onthe semblance of a horse and get SONGS OF FAE RIE AND SPIRIT 1 55

h h w career some mortal astride his b ack . T en e ill ma r u bo and fen o er mouna n and dly th o gh g , v t i s reamth v lon a w aw a ars t , e li e g night nd, hend n ppe

nt E s n a is the i he a t , throw his rider headlo g. Th t

r s o o hi How we s r s w the I i h c nceit f m. ll; it o t ith English notionof the madcap fairy the verses quoted ” s ow ere is a une A uca The h . Th t nP Puck )

ase onth ue c scal ﬁve no es b d e antiq Celti e of t . ’ How many of those who delight inMercutio s de s criptionof QueenMab ar e aware that the sprightly Veronese was chanting the praises of the fairy queen of Connaught ? She was Mab in her original es tate and archaeologists would give much to know whether Shakespeare got his knowledge of her from the r s men re u ne h E a c r I i h who f q e t d t e lizabeth n ou t , or whether the Forest of Arden still preserved her " memor omf arh oﬂ e c mes E t er o y fr C lti ti . i h hyp

es s is ena man a s E an—e s e th i t ble. I n y p rt of ngl d p ciall inthe es ere are es es e inﬂu —y W t, th v tig of C ltic ence ru c mono s and ca rns ac ames D idi lith i , pl e n ,

ocal usa es a o all s h e e en s. e e e cs t l g , b v , l g d Th r li of e Celtic past tend to strengthenthe conviction which has eens ea r ow n i th m b t dily g i g n e inds of historians, that the Saxon conquest was not the r uthless exter minationof the aboriginal Britons so oftendepicted but that there was intermarriage and gr adual fusion

e een on uer rs and c n uere the nva ers im b tw c q o o q d, i d posing their language and assimilating much of the na e o - ore tiv f lk l .

Fionvarra and na the a r n Oo gh , f i y ki g and queen,

ure in ales w ou numer F ionv a r a ﬁg t ith t b . r a is a soci l s r er of w ne and oman as pi it, a lov i good c p y. He h 1 56 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND great power over the imaginationof young girls and will lure themaway to dance with himonthe fairy r n s he e wa e u inthe mornn t e are i g . W nth y k p i g, h y inbed at home ; but they have a vivid recollectionof

ll a h n He is a rea orsemanand a th t as happe ed . g t h

- bestrides a coal black steed with nostrils of ﬂame. Fionvarr a has his favorites among mortals and they say the r eason why Captain Hackett of Castle Hackett always wonat the races was bec ause it was his customto leave out a keg of wine or whiskey f or th use of his a r i ness F or the o e f i y h gh . G od People are extremely sensitive to attentions from mor a s he e the emers to be e urnn t l . T y lik b l ft b i g, so that they candance about the hearth ; they take it kindly if the wineglasses are not quite emptied and e n er rec se in e r a ts no n , b i g v y p i th i h bi , thi g

eases em er an a e e u s e he or pl th bett th to h v l ft o t id t do , for e r use a a o c ea wa er n ness e th i , p il f l n t . U tidi th y punish sharply ; indeed it gives thema hold over mor a s w c e ou not o er w se ossess Let t l hi h th y w ld th i p . the good wife see to it that she sweeps behind the

oor for she n c s to so h d ; , if egle t do , t e Good People w e a e to come in the w e s t e ill b bl . If at r u ed by h family to wash their feet before r etiring f or the n he e unem th a ight, l ft ptied, e p il itself will act the

art of an or and o en the oor to the r e p j it p d fai i s. Shakespeare must h ave had some inkling of these notions whenhe made the fairy say :

I amsent with broombefore To swee the us h p d t behind t e door .

1 58 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

I ntimes of f amine the F ar Goila or Manof Hunger

o s u a ow th a a as wan but the g e p nd d n e l nd , le n t , bringer of good luck to those who give himfood . Part of fairydomis well disposed towards man and loves music and good living ; but there are wicked

a r s s omthe ev has un er his ru e and f i ie al o, wh d il d l sen s f r om e m mr a s s k n d up h ll to te pt o t l . Of thi i d

F a wh r the a eon is the r Liath or Gray Man, o lu ed g ll

t rt a ana s rea u of on he rocks at Po n Sp i . Mo t d df l

s th D lla a n w o wan ers a ou the counr all i e u h u , h d b t t y

n is e r is He noc s at the carryi g h h ad unde h arm. k k door and dashes a basinof blood inthe face of the

i the eo opener. H s coming is the signof death to p

l inth use p e e ho .

I nthe a e of the unc ac er usmor e re t l h hb k pip , L ,

a e ro on ro er is a une c asses f or l t d by C ft C k , t whi h p “ t tr c nn in is ic fairy composi ion. Pa i k Ke edy h F ” tions of the Irish Celts says that this same legend is be met w in r an not an as onsh n to ith B itt y, t i i g

r a se n a th r o r el s thing, pe h ps, ei g th t e B et ns a e C t a so One n Lusmore was o n ome to his cot l . ight g i g h

a e inthe enof Aherlow He sat own to res t g Gl . d t o t s th ' a r r n he lope of e old f i y f ort of Knockg afton.

As he sa n n his ear cau th soun of t thi ki g, s ght e d mus an o ces an he hear the or s on a ic d v i d d w d , M d y,

u s a in a r r e —i ae c of T e d y piped a f i y t ebl n G li ,

co rse fo the r s a r has no ax n. w s a u , r I i h f i y S o It a

mlo and f a w t e r es pretty e dy , or hile, h fai y voic

a him But soonthe mon on of wor and ch rmed . ot y ds s r r s He wa fo a us n traing ew wea i ome. ited r pa e i the music and thenbroke inwith a new phrase and SONGS OF FAE RIE AND SPIRIT 1 59

” too I n a mmen the words And Wednesday . o t there was excitement ; the hill opened and the fairies a e carried the astonished Lusmore into their p lac , i the mornn he where they made a hero of h m. I n i g awoke with a delightful feeling of lightness and un

er his a the a r es restr aint, and discov ed to joy th t f i i had removed the hump fromhis back and made him

sa in straight as a pl g.

All treasure hiddenunderground ; all the gold and silver and precious stones of the mines ; all the

r s s es h o e of the f eight of unkenargo i , are t e pr p rty

a es o er ar a r es the sea as e as f iri . F r th e e f i i of w ll th an s rm co rt o m e l d. Fi he en ming into po na cal evening sometimes see the little folk taking their way ina s n black warmfromo e island to another . They are a ou th e c an ome ms e b t e h ight of a hild, d s ti e th y

me out of th su s of the c a mwill co e ﬁs re ro k to t lk to r a s. F or t e ot o n e o o t l h y have n f rgotte that th y, t o, 1 60 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND were of the r ace of men and belonged to the mys terious ua s de B enenn o er n of sea T th . Anth ki d

a r es is the errows who seemto be a n e ween f i i M , li k b t the a r as ommon ma n r n f i y c ly i gi ed and b ute ature. They will sometimes appear in the shape of little horness cows and in e r ow s a e e a e l , th i n h p , th y h v

ta s . But a as ! for cre ence in s m v v il , l d the e ar els , e en the islanders of the West are losing their ability to see em enera onhas s r n u w is in th . A g ti p u g p hich bl d to the fairies sipping nectar fromﬂowers and the Good People riding the clouds onhorses made out of of s r w nce the enr ance to a a r or bits t a . O t f i y f t could surely be found by ci rcling the hill nine times inthe mon h ow he efﬁcac of the r e has o lig t. N t y it

e ar e me was too enthe a r omenuse d p t d . Ti wh f i y w d to d s t a s nthe gli e by inging softly , heir h ir hining i moon eam o en corn N o more oes the ld b like g ld . d o ecstasy come onhearing fairy music or the kiss of the fairy damsel tempt mortal youth to the loss of

v e i a n un t f r a hea en. We p er n v i der the hem o glimpse of the green suit and red cap ; the rings on the greenswar d have been expl ained away by scientiﬁc dryasdusts ; eventhe fairy forts are r esolv

- the e ing into old time enclosures f or cattle. Once R d wind of the hills was supposed to betide a fairy bat tl i h c o s n th asan anc n u at the e nt e l ud , a d e pe t , gl i g p mon ou see a r s l oue es scu n a ross o , w ld f i y i h tt ddi g c it . ” But where are the snows of yesterday ?

The ans ee owever or f a r woman i s b h , h , i y , s till

a f u to the r s ce She is ee l a tac e to f ith l I i h r a . d p y t h d the o am es n the me omes for one of ld f ili a d, when ti c

1 62 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

rows wanand mac a e an s c l g e i t d d die young. Cu hu linhad a fairy mi stress ; but he was a demigod and ’ nconro e her o er as ens s r o had u t ll d by p w . O i pi it l ve him i her in r lan for w th fai y d three hundred years, until yearning for earth brought himback to anI re

an inw c was r i he a s an er msera e a old. l d h h t g , i bl nd

a r c was s t in h St . P t i k too wi e a man o th k that e could quickly weanthe people away fromtheir old

s ms o nstea u in the an en es a s cu to . S , i d of p tt g ci t f tiv l

e r a i h r s under th ban, as utte ly irreconcil ble w t Ch i

e h a a e emto new uses The Ma tianlif , e d pt d th . y

r n t Day celeb ations were still to he kept up, but o in onor of the S od as of re r es s ame h ung , yo ; ﬁ till ﬂ

s mmr E ve but he are n e in o r of onMid u e , t y ki dl d h no

o n the es va of ama nor ummer End St . J h ; f ti l S h i S

l o s a ing has become the vigil of Al Souls . T thi d y usages pers ist which are obviously of paganorigin;

rs the a an and r s an e ements while, inothe , p g Ch i ti l intermingle like strands of diff ercut colored thread i o The ess n of the e s and er s is a na r pe. bl i g ﬁ ld h d Christian rite ; but dr iving the cattle through the ﬂames to pr otect themfromdisease is reminiscent of

- the same me is be remem fire worship . At ti , it to bered that the idea of pur ificationby fire is Chris

a wou b fﬁ u to e tianas well as p gan. It ld e di c lt d cide whether the peasant who walks three times round the ’ on r on o ns E ve inth e a e . e e b ﬁ , St J h , b li f th t he will r be safeguarded frommalady du ing the coming year ,

o I ts c a a is per forming a pagan rite or nt. h r cter

o o n on I n the o em r w uld depend n the i tenti . N v be Eve ceremonies the confusionof ideas is strikingly SONGS OF FAE RIE AND SPIRIT 1 68 a aren N ot on s it the eve of ou s but pp t. ly i All S l ;

is t va n is ew se it he Druidic festi l of Samhai . It lik i ’ the a r es ﬂ t n m The o eo e ance f i i i ti g ti e. G od P pl d onthe hills and ther e is a belief that the dead dance

em ome i es a rta is ure t e r with th . S t m mo l l d ino th i m s an i the mornn his o w be ac id t d, n i g, b dy ill bl k

h th ou of ea n ers s f es va of wit e t ch d d ﬁ g . At thi ti l Samhainthe Druids were wont to pour out libations to pr opitiate the evil spirits and the spirits of the

a res w re e n s e to be re e de d . All ﬁ e xti gui h d, light d

t w e from he sacred ﬂame hich burned inthe templ .

I nthe omes the e e insome a o relan h of p opl , p rts f I d, a chair is left by the ﬁreside ; food provided and the emers e burnn F or on s n the ea re b l ft i g. thi ight d d

s e r omes a d sit in e r old a es vi it th i old h n th i pl c . There is a belief that the spirits of Irish people who have died in foreign lands revisit their na

ve ounr ore anes at s el e in ti c t y. Mo gl c thi b i f Oh, ye Dead :

Oh e ea , y d d ! Oh, ye dead ! Whomwe know by the light you give F rom our col and leamin e y d g g yes, Though you move like men who live ; Why leave you thus your graves - I n f ar off seas and waves,

Where the wormand the see - ir b d only know your bed, To haunt this spot where all Those eyes that wept your f all

And the hearts that waile ou li e o r ow li d y k y u n e dead.

I t is true, I t is true, We are shadows cold and wan; And the fair and the brave Whomwe love on earth are one n d g . 1 64 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ But still thus ev nindeath, 8 0 sweet the living breath ’ Of the ﬁelds and the ﬂowers inour youth we wandered o er, ’ e con emne we o That e r d d g , ’ ’ To reese mid ecla s snow F H , n c We would taste it awhile and thi k we live one more.

in and The s pirits walk about among the liv g , whenthey are asked why they do not returnto their

omes e re l a e are o e h , th y p y th t th y blig d to go to

un ec a here is ev ene a the r s ere Mo t H l . T id c th t I i h w the ﬁrst to take the message of Christianity to I ce l n ma be a ec a the urnn mounain and, a d it y th t H l , b i g t i h ro en an mresse the mn s of the e nt e f z l d, i p d i d C ltic mi ssionaries as a vivid image of expiatory torment

r a s s s e af te de th . Ju t a the Greek and Romans w re wont to regard the r ocks of Taenarumas the por

a s of e so the r s oca e th a roac of t l h ll, I i h l t d e pp hes

ur a or inthe ms o m arts E rin ere P g t y o t gl o y p of . Th is a dismal taminNorthernDonegal which bear s ’ the name of a r c s ur a o an for c St . P t i k P g t ry, d entu ries it was the resort of pilgrims fr omall parts of

E uro pe. This legend is referred to by Moore in ” his son s W as t a Dim a g, I Wi h I by h t L ke. The Irish mind ﬁlls the air with innumerable pres ences o ra s and ma n b th g ciou lig , angels and fairies and the s r of s the ea . e w e o pi it d d Th y ill t ll y u that, on we the ea o T lfth Night, d d c me out of thei r gr aves and onever r oo e s s sou we f y f til it a l, eping or its sins and beseeching the living f or prayer s to help it on its wa to ur a onand the Beatiﬁ s on n y p g ti c Vi i . Whe the sou is a o ea e the o e s i l b ut to l v b dy , vil p rits are

1 66 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D wins fromhima promise to meet her inthe same

a e a mn a er en e a e ar the pl c o th l t . Wh th y h v p ted ’ memory of the legend ﬂashes into the mans mind ; he f al s s d es and is home his as res n l ick, i to l t ti g place onthe day appointed for his trysting with the s the as ersonto ea e the r ard pirit. If l t p l v chu chy be oman the s r ass me the se of a a w , pi it will u gui

a m ou I n h r s e a r n is h ndso e y th. eit e ca e th ppa itio

dea anomenof th. Sooner or later these Irish tales of the unseen world will be collated with parallel myths of other

an s th c ra enwe ma o e to br che of e Celti ce. Th y h p gainlight onearly beliefs and perhaps may be able to trace the evolutionof stories through successive

hases rac a and r el ous n uence The mos p of i l igi i ﬂ . t

rra i na s or o utwar a ea anc r un i t o l t y, t o d pp r e, ightly derstood ma owar s the so u on of orn , y help t d l ti th y an ar a en as e w e ff us o of ore of tiqu i n igm . Th id di i n l

s i is s n c n en uc ulli cal s on thi k nd ig iﬁ a t . Wh C h n l heavenand earth to assist himinhis single-handed ﬁght against the armies of Queen Maive and the

ver rom mes to his aid w a e a el ar Ri C co , e h v C tic p al e of the mer c s or of c es and the am l l — Ho i t y A hill Sc ander a similar interventionof nature gods inthe ' aﬂ air of me The e e a th s ans n her s n. b li f th t e w i gs most beautiful song j ust before death is knownboth in rela nd onth co nen the r s is I nd a e nti t . Did I i h m sionaries carry it with themwhenthey evangelized Germany ? The werewolf of the E uropean main

s its s r e om the land ha Iri h pa all l . With wh did idea originate ? Witches weave spells both to curse SONGS OF FAERIE AND SPIRIT 1 67 and enam r o m e the ear a to ou . A poti n ad of h t of black cat will incite to love ; a candle made of the hair and f at of the dead and held inthe hand of a cor se is w The easel is p strong to blight ithal . w sometimes a witch ; the wren is the druid of birds but the little robin got his r ed breast fromthe

oo of o o c e the eres orn bl d ur L rd. He plu k d bitt t th fromthe divine brow and his breast was reddened ’ the e eemr s o T orses oe is uc with R d e bl od . he h h l ky

ecaus w e ass the b e it as wornby the horse and th , humble beasts of burdenwhich shared the manger at e e em ear t o ce the B thl h . H d by the hearth he v i of ’ cr icket is a cheery sound inthe peasant s ears ; for it keeps away the Good People ; but he is sad whenthe

ees su en the a s n t at b dd ly quit hive, for it is ig h de t is er ne r a h hov ing a . CHAPTER VI I I

SON GS OF P AGAN C HI VALRY

’ u n a mn ems a re an s er c a T as re a y po bout I l d h oi ge,

a The ar n w ch some of hoar ntiquity. b dic writi gs hi celebrate the deeds of the heroes of the Red Br anch — ’ and the F anna E r ns ct res e re- r s an — i i pi u qu p Ch i ti chivalry date back as f ar as the eighth century of

u r erar o umens n ee er is o r e a. Of lit y d c t i d d th e

ent not s we er w the mus . pl y. It is o, ho v , ith ic It

an o b oo s ea ome inmn a mn the c nt e t t dily h i d th t, a o g

mos the memr liv Irish people, until al t within o y of

th r of mus c was ure ra na ing men, e a t i p ly t ditio l.

o ae c o i co a se am the When the ld G li p l ty ll p d, id

t r mwe an and me ars the ruin of he C o lli Willia it w ,

r ar s and m s r s chief s ceased to have thei ownb d int el . The musicians died without disciples ; the artistic

o e en erse and mus c traditioii was br kenand, ev nwh v i

ere s are the re a on e ween the two was fre w p d, l ti b t

uen r o nn e reas re s n er q tly fo g tten. I ﬁ it t u of o g p is n Yet in S e of war hed fromthe minds of me . , pit and amn n e of e e and ersecu on me f i e, i spit xil p ti , mentoes s mus ca and oe a e of the pa t, i l p tic lik , a oun ve me o es the names of w c b d. W e still ha l di hi h reca w c a l ll the remote Celtic past and hi h, in l like lihood - , date fromf ar off antiquity. Only those who cherish the name of E r in can know the joy of the searcher of her past whenbe 1 68

1 70 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D

ranc at e r n rc s th B h th i k ightly exe i e, and one of e c ie a ns N aoisi t e son s a w s s h ft i , , h of U nch, gre o plea ing inher sight that she desi red himfor husband.

One a wh th ro n w d y, en e g u d was covered with sno ,

r ll e for her tuto ki ed a calf, which he mant to cook his war at a ens e ow nd e anto d to e . A r v w pt d na b g drin the s ow the s k blood a it ﬂ ed on snow. Thi Deirdre saw and she said to Lavarcam: The only manwhomI could love would be one — who could have these three colors hair black as the ” n r d as oo w c ee s e o e as t . rave , h k bl d, b dy hit he snow ” as n o rtunit n a r Thou h t a ppp y, a swered L va cam; the manwhomthou desirest is not far of

i c os ee inthe a ac he s l e to th , p l e : he is N aoisi, sonof ” Usnach . ” s a not be a a e seen m sa I h ll h ppy till I h v hi , id

L e f o n a wa as a wa s w a d s ov u d out y, it l y ill, n , e

a n f r mher ea o s uar e ower r c pi g o j l u ly g d d t , Deird e

N aoisi c t an er the a we ﬂed with to S o l d . Th e p ir d lt in ea e a e rou em ac to E r n nor p c till f t b ght th b k i . Co ,

ac ous romses b t w u e i t f ull of gr i p i , u ith g il nhis hear ,

s e o r u a aoisi r I n be ought th mt et rn, nd N t usted him.

a eir re an u sh inher ear r es v inD d , with g i h t, p oph ied

a i her ese r s ill. N ois chid inth wo d

Thy month pronounceth nought but evil.

mai en eauti ul incomara le. 0 d b f , p b The venomof thy delicate ruby mouth ri s rei ners Fall on the hateful, fu ou f o g .

r The eroes met ac But she spoke a true wo d. h bl k SONGS OF PAGAN CHIVALRY 1 71

’ ea o or s r c r eir re s ainn d th by C n t ea he y and D d , di d i g

to ve w en ac a was no more s ew erse . The li h N i i , l h lf lament she made over his body is celebrated in a a beautiful folk poemwhich is sung to this d y. ’ That the words are Deirdre s need not be believed ; but they ar e surely the wor k of a poet onwhomher ir spirit descended. The English version is by S

me er uson Sa u l F g .

The lions of the hill are one —g A nd I amleft alone alone ; h r v wi Dig t e g a e both de and deep, inw e For I amsick and fa ould sl ep.

o The falcons of the w od are ﬂown, — A nd I amleft alone alone ; Di e rav oth ee and wi e g th g e b d p d , i And let us slumber s de by side.

f h roc r slee in The dragons o t e k a e p g, Sleep that wakes not f or our weeping; r v nd m it rea Dig the g a e a ake dy, ’ Lay me by my true love s body.

Lay their spears and bucklers bright ’ By the warr ior s sides aright Many a day the three before me e ne uc lers ore me Onth ir li k d b k b .

w rav oo Lay uponthe lo g e ﬂ r, Neath each head the blue claymore ; Many a time the noble three o Reddened these blue blades f r me.

l rs meet Lay the col a , as is , Of their greyhounds at their feet ; Many a time f or me have they red eer to ba Brought the tall d y. 1 72 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ I n the f alcons j esses throw, n Hook and arrow, li e and bow ; ver a ain streamor lain Ne g , by p , e w Shall the g ntle oodsmengo.

omanions wer r Sweet c p e ye eve , m sis — Harsh to e, your ter never ; ‘ Woods and wilds and misty valleys ’ al Were with you as good s a p ace.

Oh ! to hear my true love singing. Sweet as sound of trumpets ringing Like the sway of ocean swelling n wellin Rolled his deep voice rou d our d g.

l Oh ! to hear the echoes pee ing, ee nd air she n Round our gr n a f ly eli g, When the three with soaring chorus ’ Made the skylark silent o er us !

E cho now sleep morn and even; Lark alone enchant the heaven; ’ n re Ardans lips are sca t of b ath, ’ h N aoisi s tongue is cold indeat .

ta exu t on len and m ntain S g, l g ou almon lea rom oc to ountain S , p f l h f eron in ree air w rm H , the f a ye, ’ nach s sons no more will harm e Us y .

’ E rin sta no more ar s y ye e, Rulers of the ridge of war ; ’ Never more twill be your fate eamo attle strai h To keep the b f b g t.

is e ! b rau and wron Woe m y f d g, raitor alse and t rants stron T s f y g, n d so Fell ClanUs ach, bought an ld, ’ ’ or Bar ch s east and onor s ol F a f C g d.

1 74 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

Avenging and bright fall the swif t sword of E rin Onhimwho the brave sons of Usna betrayed l ’ w i e wakened a tear in For ev ry f ond eye h ch h , - ’ A drop fmmhis heart wounds shanweep oer her blades.

r s s st r onor a the And what he w ite i hi o y. C p id

i m a th Ul nanca a Em penalty of h s cri e nd e to i pit l,

ra to . N ot wever ania, was zed the ground wholly, ho ; ’ archaeologists believe they canstill identify Conor s

n w th ranc er es were wont stro ghold, here e Red B h h o to assem e F or Eman s o w ere rma h now bl . ia to d h A g is er was the r al a ace or the e k ed . Th e oy p l Sp c l ” e i its wa ls r w s r n r e hous , w th l of ed ye t o gly iv ted with copper and the House of the sorrowful sol ” er inw c the n m ere n rse ck di , hi h ﬁghti g enw u d ba to al he th . The knights of the Red Branch are magniﬁcently ’ ” s n in o L r e u g M ore s et E rinRemembe . M lody and poemare as warlike as the Marseillaise and

rea e a more e era e a or The air is a owe b th d lib t v l . h ll d ’ by association with one of Ireland s martyred

a r o s o r m e n d o was e m . O p t i t , R b t E t e ay M ore sea e at the ano Emm his s a n the t d pi , et by ide, pl yi g old s He a s s e s nob ongs of E rin. h d ju t ﬁni h d thi le — air of The Red Fox to give it the old Irish name— enE mme s ar e as roma re er e wh t t t d up, f v i , and e a me 0 t a er at the ea 20 xcl i d, h t I w e h d of , ” o s 000 men, marching to that air . The poet c ntinue Little did I then think that in one of the most touching of the sweet airs that I used to play to him O Br eathe Not His Name his owndying words would ﬁnd aninterpretation; or that another SONGS OF PAGAN CHIVALRY 1 75 of the mournful strains She is F ar fromthe Land Where Her young Her o sleeps would long be associated inthe hearts of his countrymenwith the memory of her who s hared with I reland his last bless ” n a ing a d pr yer . Wherever Irish chieftainheld his state or peasant

i t mn corner the e o s sang h s ditty in he chi ey , xpl it of ’ ane The e ne E rins ancient chivalry were ch t d. xti tionof the bards and the passing of minstrelsy have

n h as But the ances ra lost us many a li k with t e p t . t l

e n s s ema n and r sh ms c orce r m l ge d till r i , I i u i , div d f o

r r a m r e seems the ve se to which it was o iginlly ar i d, to beg the poets and musicians of to-day to wed t a was omas re to w mthe in hem new. It Th Moo ho spiration ﬁrst came to take up this tr uly national

or an the amo e s i ee his mem w k, d f us M lodie w ll k p ory greenso long as Ireland has sons and daughters who love her and so long as menand womenof all

o a c a t a u i s The nati ns can ppre i te he be utif l n ong. bardic themes live againinthe measures of Moore ’ an s a an a d a s d Davi , of M ng n W l h, of M Gee and

r us n th o ces e ea s an man Fe g o , of e J y , Hyd , Y t d y o ers I n th rt of ese men the ra th . e a th , t dition of

r s s n on ar a e ress n ms I i h o g, l g p lyz d by opp io , beco e an ac e orce nc mor tiv f o e e.

Cuchullin rea es t e r as , g t t of he R d B anch heroes, h beensung by poets without number frompagandays r own m H downto ou ti es. is amours with Emer and

a is o ss F nd, h pr we against the armies of QueenMaeve of onna the ra l r a re to C ught, t gic idyl of Fe di d, a the bards of E rinwhat the exploits of Achilles were 1 76 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

to omer . E a r c ul H ach w s wo thy of the other . Cu h ’ lins heroismhad beenapproved inmany a ﬁght and

E mer d all th n u r s ers ha e atural and acq i ed gift . H

r t of a th f e we e he gift be uty of person, e gi t of voic and the gift of music ; she had the gift of embroid cry and the gift of needlework ; the gift of wisdom and the gift of virtuous chastity. Cuchullinadventured upona war which forms the

em t a r s e th a n o uail ne th e of he gre t I i h pic, e T i B C g , o th a t a of o W a the l a is r e C t le R id C oley. h t I i d to

ree e the e n n ed erman a the G c , Nib lu ge li to G y, th t

a uail n to a ce ra e a or T inBo C g e is Irel nd. It leb t s f ay made on the people of Ulster by QueenMaeve of

r e Connaught to gainpossessionof a b ownhull, th most aut in ll E r n c as i a is be iful a i , whi h p tured nwh t now o a t ma h nnsu a a as knwn s he O e t pe i l . M eve w an r s ama on he o ta of he r ce an as I i h z , t Hipp ly r a , d s re as she was rav h m he ac on h wd b e. S e ti ed r att k the Ultonians f or the hour inwhich she knew they wou be eas a e r es s her e a s i ch ld l t bl to i t . Fiv d y nea year the menof Ulster were aﬂ icted with the weak ness o w ma i r ss f a o n nchildbi th , a weakne brought u n em th rse acha om mis po th by e cu of M , wh they

r a ac a w s the an ster an e e . a e m a t t d M h wif of Ul nd,

ca se e kne her to be ee o th o e be u th y w ﬂ t of f ot, e pe pl ma r r ac a ns th s es orses t e de he e gai t e wift t h of h king.

Sh wonthe race but as sh reac e e oa she e ; , e h d th g l, w e h th an s as s ized wit e p g of childbirth . Thenit was that she cursed the Ultonians and the curse was w mf or nne ener a ons ee a v ose ith the i g ti . Qu nM e e ch ’ this time of sickness for her attack onKing Conor s

1 78 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND in th s r e r of an immr a of e Venu be g, he w a ied o t lity sensual delights and he returned to the world of mor a men N ot et h e er was he eaned r m t l . y , ow v , w f o a i e E er dis Fand nd he brought her with h m. Wh n m co ere m she e er ma e to ut v d the , plott d with h id ns p

an to ea She came on Cuchullinand his F d d th . up — fairy mistress playing chess all the heroes played chess and one king had a set of menmade fromthe

o i e s Th nvers b nes of h s nemie . e co ationbetweenthe

w m s a e Dr i rso ar s t o wo eni rel t d by . S ge ninhis B d of an a the Gael d G ll . Emer seems to feel that her mortal beauty will suff er by comparisonwith the beauty of the woman roma r an f f i yl d .

s a not s h oman o followest I h ll refu e t e w , if th u ” er sh sa s t u li ver h n h , e y o C chul n; but indeed e yt i g red is beautiful ; everything new is bright ; every thing high is lovely ; everything common is bitter ; everything we are without is prized ; everything ” o s o knownis neglected till all knwledge i kn wn.

o s r s uchullin e c aims T uched by the e wo d , C x l Thou art pleasing to me and thou shalt be as long ” l e as I iv . ” m e re u a e sa s an um e Let e b p di t d, y F d, h bl d by

h s ac of ma ns anc t e pect le hu nco t y.

r r e u ia e me nerru s It we e bette to r p d t , i t pt

Emer .

w u er a e omes anannan N o , nseensave by h lon, c M , t e sea- od w ose e F und has een and a es her h g , h wif b , t k

chull is erw e me w h r e at her away. Cu in ov h l d it g i f

oss But the r s e hima rau of r et l . D uid giv d ght fo g SONGS OF PAGAN CHIVALRY 1 79

fulness that the thought of Fand may haunt himno

mor an ana a a his o e w n the e, d M nnn sh kes r be b t ee

ers t e ma ne er meet a a n lov , hat th y y v g i .

I nthe of smre the s r is of a Book Li o , to y told

r ncess name re e he a au er the p i d C d . S w s d ght of

in err n a e ress an s rs K g of K y a d a gre t h i . M y uito sought her inmarriage ; but she would accept him alone who should write such a poemabout her beau

u ome as ease her ae the Red ranch tif l h pl d . C l of B determined to make the essay and told his mind to

F nnMac oo nn r e to ssua e him rom i C l . Fi t i d di d f

he a m She is the c e e n woman t tte pt . hi f d ludi g ” mon the women E r n sa he n o ho a g of i , id , a d t ld w there was scarce a beautiful j ewel inall E r inthat s a v r B a he h d not in eigled into he dwelling. ut C el went his way and presented himself bef ore the lady .

‘ Ha h o for ? s e r s e a p em me a k d C ede. ” a e answere ae . a o mhas I h v , d C l Th t p e been reconceived by some later poet and is preserved in

e smor is o u nar is he th e c me . t Book of Li . It d t y It

ure of the ome of a a r c a a en rom pict h p t i i nCelt, t k f

o me wh c a es a to the e even cenur a v lu i h d t b ck l th t y . ’ Here is the poeminPetrie s literal translation:

Delightful the house inwhich she is etweenmenan chil ren d women B d d an , etween rui s and msical er orme B d d u p f rs, w cu - rer d r - Bet een p bea s an doo keepers.

- Betweenhorse boys who are not shy, And table servants who distribute The command of each and all of these e h air el ow- r Hath Cred t e f , the y l hai ed. 1 80 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

would be happy f or me to be inher dun Among her sof t and downy couches ; oul re e ei nto hear m suit Sh d C d d g ( y ) , a f r me woul m o rne H ppy o d be y j u y.

r o A howl she has whence be ry j uice ﬂ ws, By which she colors ber eyebrows black She has clear vessels of fermenting ale ; u s s has and ea ti s C p he b u ful goblet .

c The color (of her dun) is like the olor of lime.

Within it are couches and green rushes. i s d l man es Within t are ilks an b ue tl , r d Withinit are ed gold an crystal cups.

’ i n h Crede s chair s o your rig t hand,

The pleasantest of the pleasant it is.

All over a blu e of Al pine gold, o e a At the f ot of th be utiful couch.

A goldencouch infull array l Stands direct y above the chair, I t was made by (or at) Tuile inthe East

Of yellow gold and precious stones.

There is another couch at your right hand. l d ve with t e ect Of go d an sil r ou d f , ' R ith curtains and soft pillows, r f l And with g aceful rods o go denbronse.

The household which are inher house To the happiest of conditions have beendestined r nd l ar their arments G ay a g ossy e g ,

Twisted and fair is their goldenhair.

une menwoul sink inslee Wo d d d p, l te loo Though ever so heavi y eming with b d, i ir s With the warblings of the fa ry b d , From the eaves of her sunny grianan ( sunny h er c amb ) .

1 82 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAND

n the orthwa c eatin it does upo N rd bea h, b g as against the olishe roc lamentin f or ael now tha e o p d k g C t h is g ne. 0 woe ful fight and 0 ﬁght of woe is that the wave wages with outhern sho woe me o d o the S re. O ful l dy an O a mel dy of is that which he heav sur e of Tull cleis e i woe t y g a h mts. A s the al it which has allen on for me c amy f up me, having shat r d me for me ros erit exists no o te e , p p y mre.

s amen has beenset Mr arles od Thi l t by . Ch Wo ” e our e ore a n a fine old to A Littl H B f D w , air . But it had first to be ver sified and paraphr ased and much of the beauty of the original evapor ates inthe

cess pro .

To th mar a ne I f all the a e ti l tu , Se were I nk, Moore celebrates animmemorial burial customof the

e race en e a a e arr or C ltic . Wh th y l id d ad w i inthe

om e ace his s e some mes inhi an t b, th y pl d by id , ti s h d,

t o w w e e i a e he sw rd hich he i ld d nb ttl . A king they

wo some mes ner in a s an n s o uld ti i t t di g po iti n, look ing inthe directionfromwhich he was wont to ex

ect is enmies en wen el n p h e . Wh O B l, ki g of Con

nau la woun e uno ea af er th a ght, y d d t d th, t e b ttle of

l o w c ou a a ns the men S ig , hi h he f ght g i t of Uls ter

in537 he sa to his arr ors r me , id w i Bu y with my r ed ave ninm a o th s e o j li y h nd, n e id f the bill by

w c the or t ern s hi h N h s pas , when ﬂeeing before the

arm of onnau an ce m w y C ght, d pla e ith my face ” urned owar s eminm ra w t t d th y g ve. It as done as he comman e and th d d, e story tells how the men of

ster came onto the attac a a Ul k g in and again, but wer e a wa s r ven ac as l y d i b k. At l t, however , they suc ceeded in moving the body and averting the gaze of the ea n and r d d ki g, f omthat moment the fortune of SONGS OF PAGAN CHIVALRY 1 88

a n s mar s or is o of n Lae b ttle cha ged. A i il t y t ld Ki g h re os n a r c camto re an . T e gi , inwh e reig St. P t i k e I l d customseems to glance at a belief ina future exist

w a a n ence onearth henwarriors and foe sh ll meet gai . The Celtic Britons long hoped for the return of

t on o e and King Arthur to rid themof he Sax y k , Ir ish missionaries were probably responsible for the s r a t e s erman The old Teu p e d of h ame idea inG y. tonic legends picture Barbar ossa sleeping his secular s e h a r an s a ca l him l ep, till the call of t e F the l d h ll l to s ee o no her o s I n re an to s da w p d w n f e . I l d, thi y, local traditions recall the ancient dreamof heroic t e- r Ail ach in one a the e e n bi th. At e , D g l, p opl poi t out an ancient cave fromwhich the heroes of the Hy Niall are expected to come forth in some hour

w a f r n s ran er ass n s big ith the f te o I ela d. A t g p i g thi way came upon a group of horsemen sleeping

es e e r orses r han rmed f or the b id th i h , b idle in d, a

T s of o s e w e one of the war ﬁght. he ound fo t t ps a ok r rs a o t I s the r io and, rising, he c lled u hou come? But the stranger ﬂed in

The Dlrge of Ou lan. 1 84 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAN D

” ss n reserve etrie The Dirge of O ia , p d by P , brings up memories of that second great ﬂourishing

nna o n s a ch a r the a r e ian. of pre Christi n iv l y, Fi F d the R ed ranc were to s er What Cuchullinan B h Ul t , FinnMac Cool and his b rothers of the Fianna were

ou The or of to Ireland of the S th . gl y the R ed ’ ranch en e w th the a of nor s a a Em B d d i f ll Co c pit l, ana cenur a er in the re n onn i . A t y l t , ig of C of t th an a com he Hundred Fights, e Fi n e into promi ncnoc o s rom ha im to . Their d ing f t t t e the end of the thir d century are the theme of a great cycle of on s . The anna were a m ar or an o g Fi ilit y g izati nand, in e r r me e numbere evenint me of e ce th i p i , th y d, , i p a ,

1 86 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAND who longed for the ﬁerce j oy and unrestraint of the old a an a s Th a ss an ove was p g d y . e music th t O i l d the c an or of a th ress of s ee s a in of l g b ttle, e p t d , h y g

bo an n r . is unds, d the call of the hu te He plainly

nre ous w r c e s himof the wer i c dul henSt. Pat i k t ll po of th m Y o s a ro e Al ighty. u tell me your God i st ng ” man sa s be our God an m son s ar , y ; if y d y O c

at es le at Knockaulin a if saw s ar were wr t nd, I O c

o n t is e u d sa o r od was r n d w , i th nI wo l y y u G a st o g ” man The hard ves in the ast m rnn for . li p , ou i g

n ns i so his l ma o Dr . S er n has the o d co p i . g Gaelic story into beautiful English

Each day that comes to me is long

N ot thus our wont to be of old,

i never music har or son W th , p g, attles bol N or clang of b d.

N o wooing soft nor feats of might

N o cheer of chase nor ancient lore, N or banquet gay nor gallant fight

All thing beloved of yore.

Long this night the clouds delay i rave-cairn stone on stone I raise the r g , , F or Fionnand Fianna passed away le t a one I, Ossian, f l .

aoi t Evenwhenthe old manC l e becomes 11. Chr is tianthere is a curiously heathenring about his wor ship

Thanks unto the King of Heaven ’ i n And the Vir gins Son be g ve , Many men have I made still r er h Who this night a e v y c ill. SONGS OF PAGAN CHIVALRY 1 87

The name Ossianic is givento a few old melodies which f romtime immemorial have been associated w s or es the ha a is s ma be ith t i of rd nd h fri end . It y that their prototypes belonged to the days of the

anna but ere is no mans of r The r e Fi , th e p oof. Di g of ss an is a o am O i go d ex ple.

ea u e en ushers inthe ris n awn —A b utif l l g d Ch tia d the e en of onn ala De r r is th embodi l g d Fi u . If i d e e men of E r nm an nnua a es the ea e t i ilit t, Fio l typiﬁ p c and ur of r s a oma o r a a n p ity Ch i ti n w nh od . He e g i ,

an s omas oor ou h th k to Th M e, antiquity puts ony t a a n n . e o e be the roa rs g i Sil t, O M yl , r of thy wate ’ has carried the story of Lir s lonely daughter r ound the world and the melody to which it is sung has softened into tender ness towards Ireland hearts once

ar w re u ce and msun ers an n a h d ith p j di i d t di g. Th t the impressionable Moore was moved by the st rain there is little need f or wonder ; but it was the intui tionof genius that led himto make it tell the story of onnua Fi la. ’ onnua a s a er n ir mrr seco Fi l f th , Ki g L , a ied a nd

me a i v ti , nd h s wife concei ed a hatred for Fionnuala and her two un r o ers w t i a yo g b th . It as he ant p thy of a c is e f or a o en t e th t whi h vil wh t is go d. Leg d

or s her m o rs sh ra s rm c d that, by agic p we , e t nfo ed the

r c en o a a s th ee hildr int sw ns. I nth t gui e they were condemned for long ages to make their homes onthe

a es of E r n e ou se e eer li o l k i . Th y c ld e th ch ful ght f home but wa not or em e rs e he , it s f th . Th i w re t c and eso at on the w n and wa es hen old d l i of i d v . W n me n n a o s r her n s ight ca o , Fionual w uld p ead wi g 1 88 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAN D o er her ro n s s o swee v b thers a d they would ing l w, t, ” a r ms a ma s r I nthe c urse f i y u ic th t de o row sleep . o of time Lir died and the age weary swans ﬂew over the ru ne a s e r m t th end i d w ll of th i old ho e. Bu e came a s The rs w c wa o ou t la t. cu e hi h s up nthemc ld not withstand the virtue of Christianity and the sig nal f or their release was to be the sound of the bell inthe rs M-a s r sa inE r o o e ﬁ t s eve id in. One mrning n of the brothers heard a str ange noise and he turned to is s s e in a arm The s e of the s or is h i t r l . equ l t y told in anold Gaelic poemtranslated into English

Dr. i son nn a by S ger . Fio u la speaks :

e oice the lorious ell now ri R j ; g b ngs. A rise and raise alo t our wins f y g . Than the true God for tha o k t v ice. rate nd r o Listeng ful a ej ice.

h sh i n Right it is t at He ould re g , Who shall part you fromyour pain; e i Part you fromrud , rocky p llows,

And part you fromrough billows.

i Hence I rede you now g ve ear, Gentle childrenof King Lir l i v n i Let us fa th inhea e s ng, ’ eric While the cl s bell doth ring.

To s the eo e re and r e thi day, p pl of I l gard swans with a peculiar tenderness and will not suff er them to b rme e ha d.

1 90 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

r But r anhad red were impatient f or the f ay. B i ﬁ the Gaels with a spirit as indomitable as his own. a art Eventhe wounded begged to be allowed to t ke p . ” t o s e Let stakes be stuck into he gr und, aid th y,

' to d s r ed and suﬂ er each of us, tied an uppo t by n a n Sou d . Ex. 36. G theri g

ac inthe r n s at the one of these stakes, to be pl ed a k ” And was one as t e side of a sound man. it d h y

was too a anced in ears to ea the asked . Brian dv y l d “ h his son The s mmer of battle and Morroug , , wi ” n sa s ha e enthe is ace. e e rivers, took h pl L g d y t t v o and o s es invisible forces of faerie were mved to k id , r M r like the Homer ic deities inthe siege of T oy. o ’ r end Dublain had een ans e rough s f i , g, b b i h d by id Aevil his s r t Brian; but he besought the a of , pi i GAEL AND GALL 1 91

r e d sh covere him mn e of n s b id , an e d with a a tl i vi i i n b lit o s r o an s E r . y. S h uded he fought inthe r k of i But w r Morrough as quick to know he was the e. bl ” Methinks I hear the battle blows of Du aing, ” sa h bu s i ot u lai re id e ; t I ee h mn . ThenD b ng vea e mse his r e il arne Mor l d hi lf to f i nd. Aev w d r u a ef or mo n his o gh th t, b e rni g dawned, he and f a er ou be ead and so me ss Mor th w ld d , it ca to pa . r ou was the rs a r the gh ﬁ t to f ll, in the fo efront of s r fe r a was o his s a f c t i . B i n n knee pr ying or vi tory,

w en the din ame. r n i he h ti gs c Gi di g onh s sword, s me th f T e e e oe. s n tood to t h Dani h pri ce, Brodar, was the r to me an r n him a ﬁ st co d B ia laid low. Tsw ’ Danes besides fell by the monarch s swor d ; the

o h m s a to f urth gave i hi death blow . But the d y was the s The anes ere r en the mar n Iri h . D w d iv to gi of the deep ; their ships had beenburned ; they had only

of a r t the e the choice death inb ttle o dea h by wav .

r was a e ea more com e e and rom a Neve d f t pl t , f th t

a h anes b e r ea s to ae c ru e and d y, t e D owed th i h d G li l , , i ourse of me ere ssima e t e na e nthe c ti , w a il t d by h tiv a o popul ti n. r l r m r Seven centu ies ate , Tho as Moore celeb ated Brian and his great contempor aries in the stately measures of Remember the Glories of Brian the Brave and the sixteenth-century tune of Molly ” n we et a more n ma e c re of McAlpi . But g i ti t pi tu

s a a . n the old hero fromhi chief bar d, M c Li g Ki g and poet were not merely sovereignand dependant ;

Mac a they were friends together . Li g seems to weep

s n th ra a of h as he call to mi d e b ve d ys old, when e 1 92 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND s t w r a i the a s of Ki or i a ith B i n n h ll nc a. Here s the

ear of his s n ol inE n s t a ael of h t o g, t d gli h by h t G— our da — el in enus el mis r un ar y Ga g i , Ga in fo t e Cl ence Mangan:

e 0 where, Kinkora, is Brian th Great, And where is the beauty that once was thine ? 0 where are the princes and nobles that sate At the f east inthy halls and drank the red wine ? ' “here, 0 Kinkora

re r a l d O whe , Kinko a, re tby va orous lor s f r ita le are ’ O whithe , thou hosp b , they gonei 0 where are the Dalcassians of the goldenswords ? And where are the warriors Brianled on? a Where, O Kinkor ?

o c And where is M rrough, the des endant of kings, i rave The De feater of a hund red, the dar ngly b ,

Who set but slight store by j ewels and rings, Who swamdownthe torrent and laughed at its wave ?

Where, O Kinkora? n They are go e, those heroes of royal birth Who plundered no churches and broke no trust ;

’ ’ Tis weary f or me to be living onearth n i r o Whe they, 0 K nko a, lie l w inthe dust.

Low, 0 Kinkora.

O dear are the images my memory calls up Of BrianBoru l how he never would miss v a To gi e me t the banquet the ﬁrst bright cup, Ah ! why did he heap onme honor like this ?

Why, 0 Kinkora?

I amMac Liag aud my home is onthe lake: Thither o n fte , to that palace whose beauty is ﬂed, ame rian to ask me and wen f r his sa e C B , , I t o k m r d O y g ief ! that I should live, and Brianbe dea !

Dead, 0 Kinkora.

1 94 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND restraints of English rule and would have thrown emof ha ot th , d it n beenthat English bir th conferred

e a advana e c r o l g l t g s whi h they were loath to fo eg .

The r s had eir c s omar law ma nthe I i h th u t y , de upo bills by the people and dating back to immemorial an n u . a s s law am t onlaw tiq ity Ag i t thi , n ed he Breh a ter the menwho recor e a arr an h f d d nd ged it, the i vaders sternly set their faces and enf orced the N or manco e ere er e c u o so s ore n d wh v th y o ld d . Thi f ig law ene e the s ran er a one anEn s man b ﬁt d t g l . If gli h wron e an r s man the a ter ad no r e ress g d I i h , l t h d ; if an r s man off en e E n s man he was r e I i h d d an gli h , t i d

t o is b he En s e. a for h r one t e y gli h c d S ve hu t al , h

s ma was o s the law a n and a a n Iri h n ut ide . Ag i g i the Irishmanof the Pale appealed to the Crownfor

t s w ut ou me the protectionof he Engli h la . B th gh ti and fellowship were making the Anglo-Normans Irish

m n s mn r e e e e E . e , p ivil g k pt th gli h

t in s e of a s s em e ise to ee em Y e , pit y t d v d k p th

l s h va ers earne to ove the an e a ien, t e in d l d l l d th y dwelt in and gradually they became part of its

o The En s overnmen no e s ten pe ple. gli h g t t d thi

n a arm To ouner e ns s de cy with l . c t act it th y co i t as omrs romEn an The ently favored the l t c e f gl d .

i The re erence s own result was continual fr ction. p f h

ou er a nes the new colonists so incensed the pr d G ldi , ' r os the u ers a e rew c d lo the DeBu g , B tl , th t th y th y “ alty to E ngland and became More Iri sh thanthe

s mse ves or in the conem uous e res Iri h the l , t pt xp

w e enera e E n s . sionof the la , D g t gli h an A parliament held at Kilkenny in1 867 passed GAE L AND GALL 1 95

act which aimed to check this dangerous blending

r aces r r of . It o dered eve y personof E nglish blood to learn English ; forbade the placing of E nglish childrenat nurse with the Irish ; and made marri age

the r s re son An a of n s with I i h high t a . y mn E gli h

r ace who o an r s name s o e r s wo r s t ok I i h , p k I i h , re I i h

ress or ra e r s us ms for d , p ctic d I i h c to was liable to

f eiture an and enemens as r a of l ds t t . It w high t e

sonto use the re onlaw or to su m to B h b it it. — W e may attribute to this period the beginning — of the r een cenur t a amous son The fou t th t y h t f g,

Gou n E x I n1 295 the e ener a e En li ( . , D g t g lish were forbiddento imitate the native Irish by ” a n he a r to row in o e e the llowi g t ir h i g C ulin. Lik

r a e ore r w Spa t ns b f them, the I ish ere fond of letting their h air grow long and the men fastened it in a a o little bundle at the b ck f the head . Thi s bundle

wa th con n F or en r es had ee a s no s e li . c tu i it b n di ti tively Irish fashion and it became a symbol of love ” for r n a er inhis r sh ar s e s of a E i . W lk , I i B d , t ll

son c was s t a memor inhis da ou g, whi h ill y y, th gh

o a s w c to i sam the w rds re lo t, in hi h , th s e beautiful air anIrish maidensings her love for the lad who

ore the c n n an her r erenc of himover all w o li , d p ef e

a a ow r strangers and such as ped their w ys. H eve we ma c o t e c a m as o i a re can y de ide n h l i s t ts ge, the “ ” be no doubt that The Goulin stands for loyalty

to the ae c s r G li pi it.

We a e a rea seen inthe er onthe ar s h v l dy , chapt b d

m s r how w o en to and int els , the Engli sh ere f rbidd give countenance or entertainment to the Min 1 96 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAND

” strels r mers and s or e rs . a so o , hy t yt lle It was l f rbid dento admit the Ir ish to any ecclesiastical beneﬁce

or re us ous e wer ev to b a to ligio h e. Th y e en e mde

o e r s nt a —for r es f rg t they we e Iri h . I he P le centu i the only part of Ireland inwhich the E nglish law — could command evenr elative obedience the p rocess

an ci a onwas s ea carr e on The ar of gli z ti t dily i d . p

liament was eu a and orman er ose to f d l N , utt ly opp d

the c mmuna s r w c e o en rea r ns o l pi it hi h, lik a g ld th d, u

rou r s inall a es anact asse th gh I i h polity g . By p d in1 465 all menof Ir ish name were ordered to take

some E n s surnam— a of ow o or or gli h e th t a t n, c l ,

occu a on a s wh ere are s ma r ms p ti . Th t i y th o ny T i ,

rowns a eners n th amon ris mento B , C rp t a d e like g I h

da Th aw a so a o w a r y. e l l l id d wn h t manne of

c o es mn s ou wear th n of ats womn l th e h ld , e ki d b e

s ou ut on how the r s s ou r e orse ac . h ld p , I i h h ld id h b k I n every case some customdear to the Irish heart

s su rs s m en s But much wa to be pe eded by o e ali u e.

of s e is o was in ain aronF in lass in thi l g lati n v . B g ,

re of enr t asser a n the ign H y he E ighth , ted th t E g lish laws in Ireland were not observed eight days ” a er e er ma r as he con nues ft th y w e de, Whe e , ti , “ those laws and statutes made by the Irish ontheir

ls e ee ﬁrmand s a e ou rea n hil , th y k p t bl , with t b ki g ” for n avo or rewar them a y f r d. This discrimination aroused in the Iri sh breast

r n s en bitter hat ed against all that was E gli h . Wh ’ a O Donnell he Athenry was t ken by Red Hugh , t y

esou himto s are the c urc ecause con b ght p h h , b it ” i r care not he tained the r emains of h s mothe . I ,

1 98 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND I

Foobooni on ou up y , ye hosts of the Gael, For our ownI nisf ail has eenta en y b k . A nd the Gall is dividing the Emerald Lands our owntreacherous an s orsa By y b d f ken.

lan arth of unster rom rst to C C y M , f ﬁ un last, Have forsakenthe past of their sires ; And they honor no longe r the menthat are gone - Or the song of the God sent lyres.

’ O Briens of an a whomMorro led o B b , ugh n, They are gone with tinSaxonoppressor ; They have bartered the heirloomof ages away And or o ten o the o s f g t t slay ppres or.

ld r of rianmac oh h The o ace B Y y t e Stern, i w l n W th gallo g ass, kerna d bonnacht (mercenary) r w n eir n n - They a e do no th knees ; they are cri gi g to d ay, ” e wa th rov of ch I ts th y rough the p ince Conna t.

s in e I nthe valley of Le st r the valorous band, li h ne e an wi i arin Who g te d th l d th the r d g, ’ I E rins ar hour now shi t f or themse ves n d k , f l ;

The wolves are uponthemand tearing.

’ d ei who is rone n mania af ar An O N l, th d i E And gave kings unto Tara f or ages ; F or the earldomof Ulster has bargained through The kingdomof heroes and sages

n ’ n t i n lion A d O Do nell, he ch eftai , the inﬁght, e en h i o Tirconnel Who d f ded t e r ght t , (Ah ! now may greenE rinindeed go and droop) — ’ He stoops with them Manus O Donnell !

But though Conn was weak enough to let his ’ as ot so his son people s rights lapse, it w n with ' ane a ew was e in a n aﬂ ra and Sh . M tth kill d ight y , n the o o n onn ie . isre ardi inthe year f ll wi g, C d d D g g GAE L AND GALL 9

En is law c av t suc s o o gl h , whi h g e he ce si nto the heirs f ’ ’ a ew N ills ect M tth , the O e el ed Shane The O N eill and he was a thor ninthe side of E ngland to the day of his ea C mmss ners r a d th. o i io f omEliz beth tempted

himw an En s e bu he anwere em ith gli h titl , t s d th

r u E a e ou ms s p o dly, If liz b th , y r i tre s, be queen of ’ En an amO N eill n r I s . I n gl d, , ki g of Ul te ever made peace with her without having beenpreviously

so c e to her I amnot amitions f the h li it d it by . b o a

c of ar am r e j et title e l . Both my f ily and bi th rais i o r o me above it . I w ll n t yield p ecedence t any be ; my ancestors h ave been kings of Ulster ; I have gained that kingdomby my swor d and by my sword ” n ro wor an r s a ma a . u s d I h ll int i it P d d , if thei s ma r s c a ns pirit had ani ted other I i h hieft i , they

t o r a might have dr iven he E nglish ut of I el nd. ’ v N il ner no a a reemen w E entually, O e l e t ed i t n g t ith E liz abeth ; by virtue of this he was to be conﬁrmed ’ in the e of The O N eill ni the ueen eco titl , u t l q d ” ra him ano er on r a le e The er te with th h o b titl . p ’ sonality of O N eill made a deep impressionon the

E n s m m r ar ou c e gli h ind. Conte po y acc nts of the hi f ’ tains visit to Londonvie with one another indescrib ’ ’ in th n N eill s ar as o os t g e sce e. O gu d w c mp ed of he

nes s s ﬁ t pecimens of Iri h manhood . With head

are e r on a r ow r e v s e b d , th i l g h i ﬂ ing f e , e t d insaff ron and arme w a e-axe and swor e marc e d ith b ttl d, th y h d t r the s ree s of n on E a e o e a h ough t t Lo d . liz b th l v d manof ﬁne port and courage and she was greatly ’ eas e N eill ar cu ar en h as e pl d with O , p ti l ly wh e k d her to e him c se a e ut e sub h lp to hoo wif . B littl of 200 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

s ance resul e romthe v s a e was r ch t t d f i it . Eliz b th i ’ f roms o n i l w o p i e, but po r ingift, a d O N e l as little

a t ma e u u su ss s s e p to k a d tif l bj ect. Po ibly thi counts f or the attempts of Hollinshed to blacken ’ s a r The c ro s hi char cte . h nicler say that O N eill was so deep a drinker that sometimes he had to be

e inthe ear so a his m buri d th, th t body ight recover

s m t i a ura e era ure. On e r t nt l t p t h othe hand, the

esu am on e s ane ti at J it, C pi , t ll of Sh how, Sit ng

ma e re he ut one morse n his o t he e t, b fo p l i to mnh,

se s ce r n a e the a aims nd u d to li a po tio bov d ily , a

sen name to s me e r at the a a d it, ly, o b gga g te, s y ” i was mee serve r s rs ng it t to Ch i t ﬁ t .

' The Irish chiefs were j ealous of one another and

n lan cr af i a e off one a a ns t o r E g d t ly pl y d g i t he the . ’ ’ Hugh O Donnell of Tirconnel invaded Shane s ter

to and e ea e him an sou r u e ri ry d f t d . Sh e ght ef g

mn h co s se ers nth as n m a o g t e S tti h ttl o e co t of A tri , onwhomhe had inﬂicted a severe defeat a couple of n- u- t a e or . a h h s c ye rs b f e Cl boy , e Scotti h hief, received

t u e seemn r n s he f gitiv with i g f ie d hip, but listened to

the off er an En s oﬁ cer name ers of gli h d Pi . An entertainment was given in the Scottish camp ; a quarrel ar ose between the Scotch and some of ’ ’ O N eill s men; the roomﬁlled with armed men and ’ ’ i r w s an s a O N eill and h s followe s ere lain. Sh e he d

wa s n n here to be is a e as a r m s e t to Dubli , t d pl y d g i

a r was en ar o a warning, nd Pie s giv a rew d f thou

san marks d . ’ ’ O N eill s death off ered a goldenopportunity for the carrying out of the policy of conﬁscation in

202 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND looked forwar d to the time when he should return and ea ema a ns h n es l d th g i t t e e emi of Ireland. They s ay he is tied to anenchanted pillar ; but every seven ’ ear e r de w hi v o y s h i s forth and, hen s horse s sil er sh es are w rn r u the da es n l be ere o th o gh, y of d ti y wil h . rr a r e s I itated t the obstinacy of the I ish r si tance, the government resolved to accomplish by famine

a t e ou not c mass h w e wh t h y c ld o p by t e s ord. Th y es ro e all th ro s all a t e er a means d t y d e c p , c t l , fodd , nd

s s nc un i th r s th u as of sub i te e til, n e wo d of e Fo r M

rs T w o a ow or t o c te , he lo ing f c he v i e of a plow mancould scar cely be heard fromDunqueen(Valen ” i t oc t a) inthe West to he R k of Cashel . Edmund

s w o r ar es a D Spener, h eceived a l ge tate nd the es mn cas e lman as his s are the s o o d tl of Kilco h of p il, describes the misery of the people inthis awful time

Out of every corner of the woods and glens they came creeping forth upontheir knees ; for their legs

t ea e e oo e a could no h r th m. Th y l k d like natomies

f a e s o s cr n out r o de th ; th y p ke like ghost yi g —of thei graves ; they did eat of the dead car rions happy d ﬁn m— a o were they if they coul d the ye , ne another

er nsomu as the r a s soon aft , i ch ve y c rcasse they s re not to s cra e out of e r ra es and pa d p th i g v , , if

n a o of wa ercresses or s amroc s er they fou d pl t t h k , th e

as for the me et not they ﬂocked as to a fe t ti , y ,

r a a i s or m able long to continue the e with l , th t n h t ti e there were none almost left and a most populous and plentif ul country suddenly made void of man and ” eas b t . GAEL AND GALL 203

’ This f amine Spenser would lay to the people s

o au et in m r at he mse ad wn f lt ; y , the sa e b e h, hi lf vocates hunger as a means for the exterminationof ’ h s r ns r r s s mra t e Iri h ebels . Spe e s wo d o ad i bly represent what was partially done that they deserve

a e re s e a pl c he . Say h

The end (I assure me) will be ver y shor t and

m s ne in so r a r u e uch oo r than could be ( g eat t o bl ,

ere s u as it seemeth) hoped for . Although th ho ld none of em a the s r nor be s a n the th f ll by wo d, l i by s r s e n e r mman ran e and oldie y, yet thu , b i g k pt f o u c

a r m nnn a r a s ar re their c ttle f o ru i g b o d, by thi h d s u c consume emse es and tr aint, they would q i kly th lv

r devour one anothe .

The divisions among the Irish themselves every

s Or where strengthened the hands of the Engli h . monde the Protestant and Desmond the Catholic were foemen; the Clanrickardes of Connaught were n v o ne a a ns no r . di ided, ne ge ration g i t a the Nothi g could prevent the conﬁscationof the estates of Des mon nd ose 1 40 of his wers me 00 d a th of follo . So 6 , 000 acres of Irish land were divided among English

d enur rs a v t e . One of the most famous of Irish songs is the ” ” s n Th tl ac s is Roi i dubh, e Lit e Bl k Ro e. It ’ su to r to u Do l r pposed efer H gh Roe O nne l, the t usty ’ inman e - ou e i l ally y a w ll f ght ﬁ ld of Hugh O N e l . ’ The O Donnells had been onthe English side since they were made earls of Tirconnel ; but Sir John 204 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

Perrott turned f riendship into hatred by treacher ously seizing Red Hugh and keeping himprisoner

s a u i a F o r a ed and ho t ge inD bl nC stle. r fou ye rs R

u ne in a v At s he es a e and H gh pi d c pti ity. la t c p d ,

er en r a is aft du ing terrible h rdships, he reached h ’ a er me in s er Sir u was now rn f th s ho Ul t . H gh wo

in ears an the c an e erc s n e r anc n y d l , x i i g th i ie t right, ’ e e e Red The O Donnell his s ea To l ct d Hugh in t d. ’ ’ himan to u N eill ns r ns a e d H gh O , Con g a d on, f t ’ seeme to o n as the e verer of re an O N eill d p i t d li s I l d. had been brought up in the English service and ’ E a e res ore himth N eill a r mo liz b th t d to e O p t i ny, only requir ing that he should give up land for the erec

of or onth ac wa r He marr e tion a f t e Bl k te . i d Mabel

Ba enal s s er of the mars of re an d g , i t hal I l d, an , by ’ so o n ncurre the a er s er enm N ot d i g, i d l tt bitt ity. ’ on was O N eill ear of rone but his eo ma e ly l Ty , p ple d ’ ’ himT O N eill a s B a l m he l o . gena s en ity and the attempts of the government to force the Reformation

u on th eo r e him s p e p ple d ov into inurrection and,

om1 5 5 1 08 re an w o ce mr i th fr 9 to 6 , I l d as n o e n e

t roes war a n and a a nthe two c ef a ns h of . Ag i g i hi t i

a e t n s n a o defe t d he E gli h, o ce t the Battle f the Yellow

o en he En s arm w ut in F rd, wh t gli h y as c pieces and

a w The E ar E sse e Bageni as killed. l of x attempt d to crush themwith a great army and was utterly

ors e na l we er en r Mount o w t d. Fi l y, ho v , wh Lo d j y i r r h r and S r Geo ge Ca ew took t e ﬁeld, the Irish fo

a ne ans arm n tunes beg nto wa . A Sp i h y u der Del

m e eff ec e s o in Aguila atte pt d to t a div r i n the South ,

a an en a nfor suc o r but f iled , d Red Hugh w t to Sp i c u ,

THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

0 sweet ranch who h l me b , as to d ’ That thou hads t love f or me, Thou art the ower of c mlish wome ﬂ a co p ed n, e My Rois g al duole.

But whatever signiﬁcance the Roisindubh may

r av ha m a i a in o iginally h e d, it beco es grandly nt onl ’ ” an ans ara rase ar sa een s e one M g p ph , D k Ro l , ur ly of the mass ne r c i a o an i p io d ly i s n ll p etry. M ’ gans verses are knownto the whole world ; yet the verses which most nearly par allel the Gaelic or iginal ’ translated by O Curry ought not to be omitted here

Oh ! my dark Rosaleen, h Do not sig . do not weep ! o The priests are nthe oceangreen,

They march along the deep . ’ There s wine fromthe royal Pope n c an ree Upo the o e g n, i v And Spansh ale shall gi e you hope, My dark Rosaleen! My ownRosaleen! h iv e Shall glad your eart, shall g e you hop , iv o h d and h0 e Shall g e y u healt , an help p ,

My dark Rosaleen.

Over hills and through dales Have I roamed f or your sake ; All yesterday I sailed with sails nriver and onla e O k .

The E rne at its highest ﬂood,

I dashed ac ross unseen,

For there was lightning inmy blood, My dark Rosaleeni My ownRosaleeni r a h i oo Oh ! the e w s lig tnng inmy bl d,

Red lightning lightened through my blood. ar osaleen My d k R . GAE L AND GALL 207

e air I could scale the blu , l I could plow the high hil s,

Oh ! I could kneel all night inprayer. To heal your many ills ! And one beamy smile fromyou Would float like light between oi d m m own m true My t ls an e, y , y , My dark Rosaleeni My ownRosaleen! n Would give me lif e and soul a ew,

A second life, a soul anew, r osaleen My da k R .

mh enr e En WhenManganwrote that poe , e ich d g

w e ess r Y et we not lish literature ith a d athl ly ic. do hear many expressions of gratitude fromEnglish lips to the dead Irishmanwho wrote it or to the hard

w is s n who as h inpiratio . ” r Here is the melody of the Roisindubh, wo thy The of is to be graveninenduring bronze. pity it that none of the English of the song s ing to it. 208 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

The constant companionand abettor of Red Hugh and Tyr one in their expeditions and forays was

u a re the r of ermana » H gh M gui , lo d F gh . Impreg n e amn the slan s of ou abl o g i d L gh E rne, Hugh

a e E n s au or to sc rn a d l ugh d gli h th ity o n , when Sir

am am the or e u omma ed Willi Fitzwilli , l d d p ty, c nd ’ himto let the eens r run inhis m qu w it do ains, he scornfully inquired what would be the eric (compen " sa n for the sheriﬂ s l e —to be a his re s tio ) if p id lative ,

a m e e cut off his a ma th t, if y p opl he d, I y levy it ” a r a uponthe country . The M gui e w s at the battle of the Yellow Ford ; he led the cavalry at Mullagh

c en th n o- r s ere e ea e bra h , wh e A gl I i h w d f t d. When

T r w s n m or i he Magui e a withi a ile of C k , nthe up r s n of 1 00 he was met Sir ar am e er i i g 6 , by W h St. L g

ow T e a rs t and anengagement foll ed. h two le de me insingle combat and The Maguire killed his oppo

bu mse re ve s c se ere u a nent, t hi lf cei d u h v wo nds th t he

em few urs a er O a same e d died of th a ho ft . nth t ﬁ l ’ r sla n a re s s er a e his r es we e i M gui fo t f th r, p i t , and ” a h ea in oﬁ c rs . s e i en ll t e l d g e Thu , wrot S r H ry

a n s n en ra r Power to the council t Dubli , thi a ci t t ito to her Maj esty ended his days, having prosperously continued these sixteen years and being the means ” a n Acc r n the of drawing the rest into ctio . o di g to

ea h u re ca se a Four Masters, The d t of Mag i u d ’ giddiness of spirits and depressionof mind inO N eill

ner a is was no n er and the Irish chiefs inge l. Th wo d ; r an ro ess the sh e d f or he was a bulwark of valo d p w , i l

21 0 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

miction o m and mine it is Large, large e unt e , That one of his ma estic earin his ai r statel f orm j b g, f , y ’ — Should be thus tortured and o erborne that this unsparing storm Should wreak its wr ath onhead like his !

d of v ner of the re sed That his great ban. so t the a e g opp s , h er nce aral se Should this chill, churlish nig t, p cha , be p y d by frost — While through some icicle-hung thicket as one lorn and lost

w w er He alks and and s without rest.

o ’ now Through some dark wo d mid bones of monsters, Hugh

strays, As he conronts the stormwith an uishe heart but manl f g d , y brow Oh ! what a sword-wound to that tender heart of his were now A backward glance at peaceful days ! — B ut other thoughts are his thoughts that canstill inspire With j oy and anonward-bounding hope the bosomof Mac Ncc Thoughts of his warriors charging like bright billows of the

sea, o o w ’ B rne nthe inds wings, ﬂashing ﬂre !

am: — Hugh marched forth to the fight I grieved to see himso de part ; - r n - ad he And 10 ! to night he wanders f oze , raind renched, s , trayed But the memory of ~the lime-white mansions his right hand hath laid ’ I n he warms as s the hero s heart.

WhenJames came to the throne the Irish were in

h0 e F or inhim e revere the of the high p . th y d blood GAE L AND GALL 21 1

es ar r r of ober the ruce was Bruc . Edw d, b othe R t B , crowned king of Ireland in the years of hope that

o o e the a e of Bannock m oreov r f ll w d b ttl bu . M e ,

ames as the son ar e J , of M y Que nof Scots, was sup

se secr e s ma w o o po d tly to y p thize ith the Cath lics. S the Northern chieftains journeyed to London to

ma e t e r su mss on in ers n m as all k h i b i i p o . Ja es w ’ r ac usness He con rme O N il g io . ﬁ d e l inthe earldom of Tyrone ; he revived the dormant title of Tirconnel ’ in av D ll B th a f or of O onne . ut e hopes b sed onthese

a r a earances ere soon o as The E n f i pp w t be d hed . g lish and Scottish adventurers were greedy for spoil

and ma ene em a s r w it dd d th to think th t Ul te , hich seeme rea dro m s d dy to p into their aw, hould be

sna c e rom em a e co not a t h d f th . Wh t th y uld obt in

rec me s e reso v to t by di t thod th y l ed ge by subtlety .

eci we to wor c ar s a C l nt k with h acteri tic cr ft. He

m a s e r u aur nce e ployed oldi r of fo t ne named St . L e to entrap the earls into a shamplot and denounce

em au n rve inth war a a . re ha se s s th St. L ce d d e g int th sm s un r re e e De ond der Lo d G y d Wiltonand, when

E sse was meac e he off ere a e of r x i p h d, d to t k Lo d

re assas s na n e er was c e in G y by i tio . A l tt pi k d up

nc amer t e the cou il ch b a Dublin. I ts cont nts pointed to a conspiracy on the part of Tyrone and Tir

a rence had nve e to th c connel, and St. L u it co y d e hief

ns t w ness s a a ns t em ere not or tai tha , if it e g i t h w f th

mn enc l be ur s Th arls co i g, evid e wou d p cha ed . e e saw that the a dventurers were bent on their ruin and na o n on s at o m. i 1 0 th as would top n i f y S 6 7 , e fe t

o ss t sa rom re an ne er of the H ly Cro , they se il f I l d, v 21 2 THE SONG LORE OF IRE LAND

” to see it m re. I t is cer a n sa t o t i , y he Four Mas ers at the t , th sea has not home and the wind has not wafted inmoderntimes a number of persons in one s more emnen illus r ous or no hip i t, t i ble, inpoint

of enea o nob e eeds va or ea s o arms a d g l gy, l d , l , f t f , n

ra e ac evemens a ou a o a b v hi t th nthey. W ld th t G d h d but permitted themto remain in their patrimonial inheritance until the children should arrive at the

a e o man oo W o t th ar f . e e e m i a g h d o h t that ed t ted,

woe to the mn a conce ve woe to the counc l i d th t i d, i

ha r mmen e the ro ec of s e e on t t eco d d p j t thi xp diti , w ou now n w e er e shoul to the nd of ith t k i g h th th y d, e

a t r to their lives, be ble o retu n their native princi ” palities or pat rimonies .

ar s ma e for ra c n fo w The e l d F ne, the r the Lo

ounr es and e enu a eache ome w ere he C t i , v t lly r d R , h t y

r s o e a s Tir connel e i the spent the e t f th ir d y . di d n

w a 1 r o ow im o o r nd in 1 one e h . f ll ing ye a , 6 6, Ty f ll d The two chieftains are buried with two of their kins

a ro o tor and a menina gr ave inS nPiet di M n io , K th

so ure em wa n the erine Tynan Hink n pict s th , iti g ’ wi a e w c s a summon re an s day, big th f t , hi h h ll I l d ’ dead heroes to vengeance ontheir country s foes .

’ i f ar 0 3 in ur le ome Great Hugh O N e ll, p p R , ’ h ir atel toms And Hugh O Donnell, int e st y b , ne o a r r aces tur o h me. Lie with their f i , g and f d t voice wi rin a own the loom Some day a ll g d g , “ ” A rinces f or the hour is come ! rise, ye p ,

’ N0 event inE rins history has moved her people more deeply thanthis of the ﬂight of Tyrone and

em one seeme the old or er Tirconnel. With th g , it d d

21 4 THE SONG ID RE OF IRELAND

’ N o day could pass but womana grief Would rainuponthe burial ground

Fresh ﬂoods of tears.

Like the herald at a solemn entombment Mao

e Ward proclaims the rank and attr ibutes of the d ad. ’ r a l a his He e lie E rl Rury O Donne l, here Cathb r ’ ’ brother and anO N eill with O Donnell blood inhis ’ eins n u h N ual ne ew son of E arl v , you g H g , a s ph ,

Hu a f rm i lan s ileach Ul er e. The A gh by o w f d of , ’ ’ ster s mnar the en enur were the O Don o ch of t th c t y, ’ nells domain in life ; now the chieftains inherit a

w f t c a fe ee of l y.

The youths whose relics moulder here rd Were sprung fromHugh, high prince and lo ’ Of Aileach s lands ;

Thy noble brothers, j ustly dear, to e o e Thy nephew, b ug be d pl r d ’s By Ulster bands. Theirs were not souls where indull Time Could domicile Decay or house Decrepitude ! ’ They passed fromearth ere manhood s prime, E re years had power to dimtheir brows c l h ir loo Or hil t e b d.

’ d canmarvel o er th rie An who y g f,

Or who canblame thy ﬂowing tears, That knows their source ? ’ ’ n sana s chie O Donnell, Du na f,

’ Cut c d amid his vernal years.

Lies here a corse. r whom Beside his brother Cathba , Tirconnel of the Helmets mourns

I ndeep despair . and comel loom For valor, truth y b , F or all that greatens and adorns eerless air A p p . GAEL AND GALL 21 5

And hem n i a n e with t , i separable n de th, as i lif , ’ es il o r r nce in li Hugh O N e l, Lord of M u ne, A p i ” oo in ee an r . The oe seems to e e l k, d d d wo d p t gri v that the heroes did not die as Patrick Sarsﬁeld would

a w s e to i —o s ro n in for h ve i h d d e n Iri h g u d, ﬁght g

an h rume ce he a ns e r r e Irel d . Wit t p t voi bl zo th i p id of battle

Whenhigh the shout of battle rose ’ Onﬁelds where freedoms torch still burned ’ rins loom Through E g , n If o e, if barely one of those e slain l s er o have mourne W re , a l Ul t w uld d ’ The hero s oom d . w sts o r If, at Athboy, here ho f b ave Ulidianhorsemensank beneath o a The shock f spe rs, ’ h N ei had o n av Young Hug O ll f u d a gr e, Long must the North have wept his death With heart-wrun team g .

’ ’ o h ca Don s wess I nthe same mo d e re lls O neil pro , whenhe dr ove back the army of Sir Conyers Clif

or ern r f onna r mthe s le f d, gov o o C ught, f o ca t of Ballyshannon(Ashanee)

If onthe day the Saxonhost — Were forced to ﬂy a day so great For A shanee

T ie ha eenunimel os he Ch f d b t y l t, Our conquering troops should moderate Their ir ul l mthf g ee.

WhenE ssex came to r edeemthe declining cause of En an ff or r e o e more to ene ra e gl d , Cli d t i d nc p t t

we a e the fastness of the North. He vo d th t h would 21 6 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND cr ss the Cur ew un s s o l Mo tain, inde pite of the North ’ ernmen Do ne . O n ll and da But kept watch night y. ' ' At last word came that Cliﬂ ord and his menwere at ’ and l w w s O D nnl a e t a as . h . o e a it d thema narro p “ to Said he to his men, God has already doomed d s t n es ssass ns w u r r e truc io th e a i , ho have b tche ed ou w c n who u e s o o r er ives and hildre , pl nd red u f ur p op

s s t ﬁre o r a a ns emo s e our tie , e to u h bit tio , d li h d

s an mnas r es an c an e the ace of churche d o te i , d h g d f ” v nd a e eser . A Ireland into a wild , unculti t d d t sweeping down onthe foe they drove themback in ' so r iiﬂ o was e di rde . C rd kill d.

wo ro s o ur ach mo rn How uld the t op f M b u , ’ If onthe Curlew Mountains day Which England rued Some Saxon hand had left themlornz e in here ami t ra By sh dd g t , d he f y, n ’ o Their pri ce s bl od.

He turns fromthese proud memories with a sigh ’ and bids the daughter of the O Donnells dry her eyes

’ For Adams race is bornto die, And sternly the sepulchral urn oc s human ri e M k p d .

The last verse is an appeal to Almighty God and ' might be spokenby the patriot poet of any suﬂ ering land :

nd Thou mi h or ! whose wa s A , O g ty L d y A re f ar above our feeble minds T n rs an o u de t d, Sustainus inthese doleful days

21 8 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND the c urc and dec are the e a ntru r h h l d Pop n i de .

eor e rown ormer ra c s a r a m G g B e, f ly a F ni c nf i r , ca e over fromLondonwith a mission F or the breaking ” o o c o of a r as down f id ls and extinti n idol t y . It w ’ Browne s obj ect to Tune the pulpits but he r e ported to Cromwell that Neither by general ex

r a or e an e ca nstru ons ne er ho t tion, n by v g li l i cti ; ith by

ou so emn a e nor et t rea s oath, alth gh l ly t k n, y by h t

d r c n m or ce an an sha p orrectio , ay I persuade indu y,

he er re ous or se u ar s nce m comn o er w th ligi c l , i y i g v ,

r a th or od nor th us t e once to p e ch e W d of G , e j t ti l ” a es were rem e of our illustrious prince. Img ov d fromthe churches of the Pale ; shrines were done

w th s aff of a r c was rne in a ay with ; e t St . P t i k bu d

T tur was or re to Dublinmarket place. he li gy de d — be read inthe vulgar tongue meaning E nglish — and the bishops and clergy were enjoined to eu

rc w or er But the r a omman s met fo e the ne d . oy l c d

n o f th s o on with sullen Oppositio . S me o e bi h ps c formed ; other s ref used to do so ; the general attitude of the clergy may be seen inthe fact that the one bishop who became zealously Protestant denounced ” s his clergy as superstitious Papist . ’ E a e s a ven re u rements ecame With liz b th d t, q i b

s n Th c r o ernmn oﬁ cials more r n e . e e e t i g t l gy, g v t and lawyers were ordered to take the oath r ecog ’ iz i t ueens ea s i ma ers s r ua To n ng he q h d hip n tt pi it l . refuse to do so was to incur the penalties of high

ason the 2 th of E a e e e omsh tre . By 7 liz b th v ry R i pr iest was deemed guilty of r ebellion and sentenced to be hanged until half dead ; thento be beheaded and GAEL AND GALL 21 9 his r e a and his body cut into qua t rs, his entr ils burned

ea o ns m c a o rse h d ﬁxed ona p le i o e publi pl ce. Of c u the government dared not attempt the application of this fear ful law as thoroughly as was done in E ngland ; but is was held as a menace and could be

n e t es s and n er r en i vok d a need. Pri t mo ks w e fo bidd to meet or sleep in Dublin and the head of every family was ordered to attend the Protestant service or pay a ﬁne of a shilling f or every time he stayed awa ut th e e wen to ass as of and y. B e p opl t M old, evaded the law by afterwards hearing the Protestant s w r o far rom ermon and ans e ing the r ll call . So f

a on a c a ed u dividing the popul ti , s it was anti ip t wo ld

h s s u t e e I re be t e ca e, this per ec tiongave h peopl of land of all r aces a unity which they had never known s nc th om r n ow r s o Browne i e e c ing of St o gb . A chbi h p himself wrote to Cromwell that Both English and ’ Irish beginto oppose your lordship s orders and to ” la as e e r a ona old ar r s w ma y id th i nti l qu el . If e y

e e e Edmn ens r th mns r th t e b li v u d Sp e , e i i te s of e formed f aith brought fromEngland inthose early times were for the most part little representative of the e er ua es e r or er h s i how enser b tt q liti of th i d . T i s Sp compares the two orders of men It is great won der to see the odds which is between the zeal of

s r es s nd he mn ers t s r Popi h p i t a t i ist of he go pel , f o

e s are not me out a r m m n th y p to co of Sp in, f o Ro e a d

rom e s o f Rh im, by long t il and dangerous travailing r hithe , where they know per il and death awaitetb

emand no r e ar or r c s is e d n to th w d i he to b foun , o ly ” dra e e n t rc m w p opl i to he Chu h of Ro e. 220 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

To this period doubtless belongs the verse onthe

u r i pries t h nte s wh ch Dr . H e learned in Con , yd naught

There is no use inm s eakin encomiums on ou y p g ( y ) , e in r ns wit ono b -of -the- ries S e g you ki hip h D g a P t, And with Owen- f -the- ar s his ather o C d , f , ’ i he f in o W th t people o the cutt g ﬂ of the heads,

To put theminto leather bags, To rin t em ownwi them h b g h d th to t e city, n o A nd to bri g home the gold (they got f r them) , n For sustenance of wives a d children.

B t ll o ee the ances r a a n the u a did nt k p t l f ith , a d people were quick to notice that the friars did not

o a roa in the r sse n as ore but hid g b d u t gow of y , t e r en in the ar of the easanr The h i id tity g b p t y .

ar of the me who un er the or s at as b ds ti , d Tud le t, were rea e e en more s ar ha th r s t t d v h ply t n e p iest ,

as e s a n- eart ness i s n rse ere l h d thi f i t h ed n tingi g ve . H is a s ana some oe un nown a en rom ou t z by p t k , t k f D g ’ “ ” las e s e ou o s of C onnach t Hyd R ligi s S ng t. I c rystallizes the popular sentiment of the time

Bad t ma n s of n see s me he ki g dig ity, I with o of

a re r s an r A lov the clergy, A h t d of gene o ity d t uth, e i r s for the l e and for b ibe .

er e er r e ard c we a e seen a s Aft v y g whi h h v , Alw y f o th oo r ars he ow e eir a s r e p r f i , T y n conc al th h bit ,

F or ear e ou be ea en f th y sh ld b t .

N o rotect onis wa or monas er Or sanc r p i ll t y, tua y of the oe s T o u s is com e e a t p t , it pl t ly told, Th t he

e i not or a enn Pop s w th p y.

222 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D

’ ' wou a e the new ea n O Duﬂ f s ld cc pt t chi g. y re u ed ; but Paul was afraid and snatched at the chance of

E o e a o o s safety. ghanmad p emt dis uade his f r iend

o s is so t sa is was fr m elling h ul o ve h body . But it ’ ' a a d h u D inv in n e reno nced his faith . O uﬂ y himself

cc i sca er ar o r ses su eeded ne ping. H e e a couple f ve of the poemwhich he wrote for his friend

You w r better to roamthrou e orl wi e e gh th w d so de, With a stic in our han thou i nish o k y d, gh t ﬁ y u, Than a sword to be buckled so smart to your side w - And you listening ide eyed to the minister . ul rn r n Return, 0 Pa , retu asthore, retu na d I will stay

you.

’ orsa in eter orsakin l You re f k g P , f g Pau . Forsa in ichael orsa in ohn k g M , f k g J , ’ n u r orsa in he uee r A d yo e f k g t Q nof Glo y, ’ h ra s f or ou in the heaven o er o W o p y y y u. l as hore t r Return, 0 Pau , return t , re u nand I will

you.

r h ors o er wa re an to Not unde t e Tud , h wev , s I l d ' suﬂ er the worst that religious persecutioncould in

t a was reser e f or the romwe ana on ﬂic . Th t v d C lli g y

o r w of e ena a s and the long s r o th p l d y . But although the power of the stranger grew

r s r om a to da ere were s in more opp es ive f d y y, th till,

w s tnesses w ere the ae ef the Western ild , fas h G lic chi

arc a ru e n h r tains kept their ancient patri h l l . I e ’ oma The Owles in onnau race O Maile d inof , C ght, G y

as E a n on queened it as absolutely liz beth i L don.

ra w en her us an e race Wife of a pi te, h h b d di d, G

r a e i rn and error e the w o e played the pi t ntu , t iz d h l GAEL AND GALL 228

s N or was she an mere ree o er noran coa t . y f bo t , ig t

e enshe ma e her amous of the gentilities of lif . Wh d f t s ueen the visit to London to meet he Engli h q ,

mc a ou s r s courtiers marveled u h th t, th gh thi I i h

n s she cou un ers an a n. womanhad no E gli h , ld d t d L ti

w me race a e the sc r or of Onher ay ho , G g v u vy l d H r e use to ener Howth a taste of her quality . e f d t tainher and she avenged herself by kidnapping his

o sh e him un she had t e heir , nor w uld e giv up, til ceived a formal promise th at the castle gates of

Howth would not be closed at the hour of dinner . So warma place did this master f ul womanwin in the hearts of the people that Grania W aile became a name f or Ireland and a tune was composed and

s ne was at in a o e called af ter her . To thi tu it th J c bit

a ra Mac onne omose one of days, Sh ne Cla gh D l c p d

ms ere is the air his ﬁnest poe . H

But leavetakings and farewells were more inthe 224 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

i Tw a r thangladness . o of the ﬁnest melodies inthe whole range of Irish song were bornof the s adness ” s me One s o c of thi ti . i M lly Ma Alpin, best known to-day because Moore used it f or Remember the ” or es of r an t e ra a en w Gl i B i h B ve. A l m t as com

ose for a a of the ex e aml of a n ho p d l dy il d f i y H lpi , w

e re an in1 03 an ra se f or th n l ft I l d 6 , d p i e tu e is given ’ to amO Connellan who is sa to a com Willi , id h ve

ose it a 1 45 I ndu s aso o p d bout 6 . e e nit f und its way ” c an d r n to S otl d an they called it Gilde oy, after a

u aw e ecu e in 1 il acan u o tl x t d 766. U e d bh O

Ex 1 s n 8 i the sec son . The a e r s ( . ) o d g nm is anI i h ” Alack a day ! The words were probably written

some r s manwho f or ns r c ut er by I i h took eig e vi e, b ev rememere E r on n an are th e s b d inwith l gi g. M y e po t who have tried to give Uileacandubh O a worthy ’ English setting ; Sir Samuel Fergusons version is gener ally accepted as the most faithful to the or iginal.

A plenteous place is I reland f or hospitable cheer, Uileacan dubh 0 ! Where the wholesome fruit is bursting fromthe yellow barley

ear, Uileacandubh 0 ! ere is hone inthe rees where her mist v l s e an Th y t y a e xp d. A nd her forest paths insummer are by falling waters fanned ; ’ a i n e d e o There is dew t h gh noo tide th re, an springs i the y ll w sand nthe air hills of hol relan O f y I d.

n nl d e o the ne Curled he is a d ri g ete , and plait d t k e, Uileacan dubh 0 ! e Each captainwho coms sailing across the Irish Sea. Uileac andubh O i

THE C URSE OF CB OMWE L L

THE process of rooting out the Irish people and planting the country with English and Scotch ad

n r rs n o s ers s c Uls er ve tu e we t nwith r uthle s p i teny. t was to b m s n om an T o s end e ade Engli h a d d in t . thi “ King James created forty boroughs of beggarly hamlets and granted themrepresentation in the

r s ar amen s e ce he r the ma I i h p li t . By thi d vi b ought

orit un er the c nro of the mno E er j y d o t l i rity. v y formof worship save that prescr ibed by law was s ar s o a n r s w h ply di c ur ged . Ki g Cha le acted ith c arac er s c a ss s I nre urn for the sum h t i ti f ithle ne s. t of rane him th r s r amn e g t d by e I i h pa li e t, h pr omised that the people should be lef t r easonably sec r h os s a u e in t e p session of their e tates, and th t neither Catholics nor Presbyterians should be mo

s c o Th o was le ted ona c unt of their religion. e mney

a ut ar to is r p id ; b Ch les failed keep h word. Th ough ’ s m s er tr aﬂ ord har es e s ress hi ini t , S , C l tri d to upp every f ormof worship except that prescr ibed by ' ’ s a e was Straﬁ ord aimto ma e onna t tut . It s k C ught

s ls r n m a e su ee e had a econd U te , a d he ight h v cc d d not his crimes brought himto the block before he

t c ar his an nt eff e had time o ry pl i o ct.

a arass The Roman Catholics were gre tly h ed. While Tr inity College was edu cating Protes tants

c s a o cs ha o et their at the publi expene, C th li d t g THE CURSE OF CROMWELL 227

ca o r r m roscr r es s edu ti nby stealth, eithe f o p ibed p i t

at om r n n n s P at e o o e The e . h , the co ti nt . it of St ’ r c ur a r f r enur s th r s r ms i k s P g to y, o c t ie e e ort of pilg i

romall ar s E uro e was du and obliter f p t of p , g up

a e I n1 2 rc s o s an tes an t d. 6 6, A hbi h p U her d the Pro t t bishops of Ireland oﬂicially declared the Roman a o ic a s s s o a d con C th l f ith uper titiou and id latrous, n

c u e a ve em ere r era n l d d th t To gi th , th fo e, a tol tio , or to consent that they may f reely exercise their re ligionand profess their faith and doctrine is a griev ” ’ ous sin ons e r s discor . The drag te th of eligiou d - w r a s r n arme men. e e sowing, soonto p i g up d The guiding principle of the government was the suppressionof everything Irish and the putting inits

ac of so n s n er th re nlaw pl e mething E gli h . U d e B ho , the lowest member of the clanhad rights inthe land

c the e was oun r e He r whi h chi f b d to esp ct. paid t ib

ute is e nd s m m th e was ex , it tru , a o eti es e tribut cessive ; but he could not be turned out of his holding and nobody could deny himhis hereditary rights in the co o s a r arc a s s emwas an mmnland . But thi p t i h l y t obstacle in the way of the adventurers and James

ec ar the mn who s armed er d l ed it illegal . To e w ov

romEn an an c an re an w s r f gl d d S otl d, I l d as a o t of

El ora o and th eo e f the so met w as D d , e p pl o il ith little considerationat their hands as the Indians of the n es at the ans of h d A till h d t e Spaniards . Rei , ” inhis s or the r s r r s s w Hi t y of I i h P esbyte ian, orro fully admits that although among those whom Divine Providence did send to Ireland there were se era emnen for r c n an v l persons i t bi th, edu atio d 228 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

ar s et the ms ar v p t , y o t p t were such as either po erty, s an a o s es or at th s c d l u liv , , e be t, adventurous seek ” in of e er a c mm a n had rc h er . g b tt c o od tio , fo ed t ith These menwere sold the land of the Irish at nominal

a s e mus onno acc at o cs and rent l . Th y t ount be C h li possessionwas theirs so soonas they could drive ou t th r occu ans e unr es in a e I ish p t . Whol co t i were s a uerr lla war ar t te of g i f e. The Catholicismof the Anglo-Irish of the Pale placed themoutside the protection of the govem men manwas sa e inhis t . No f holding. A kind of legal verminwas engendered that went “ ” the name sc e rs n r al by of Di ov re . Acting u de r oy commss n hese men s u out i io , t o ght defective titles and en e us a man r mhis ro r , wh th y could o t f o p pe ty ,

w r they e e given a share of the spoil . The original

rans ma i the t me the rman n as n g t , de n i of No i v io , often reserved a certain payment to the crown. Froma variety of causes these payments had ceased to m as i the er of an nus be ade. It w n pow u j t gov

rnmnt to s s o oo of a men and it e e ini t n pr f p y t , if

r ot n r e the wner hen w n r c m . e e fo th o i g, to d iv out o W , as some mes a ene e en the ns r u o s zea ti h pp d, v u c up l u l of the discoverers could not discover a legal ﬂaw

t c rse was had more to invalidate he tenure, re ou to ’ The B rnes of c ow were s ini ster methods. O y Wi kl depr ived of their estates ona false charge of wrong

rte ur ase e ence. Sir doing, suppo d by p ch d vid Wil

v nfor a a e oﬁ ciai dis liamParsons, corrupt e e n g of

was the ea n s r in s ol c of honesty, l di g pi it thi p i y one the i nesse to spoliationand, when of w t s refused

280 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

Onthe reenhills of lster the white cros ave hi g U s w s gh. A nd the beaconof war throws its ﬂames to the sky ; N ow the un and ta t the threat let the coward endure, Our ho e is inGod and inRor O’More p y .

Do you ask why the beaconand banner of war Onthe mountains of Ulster are seenfromafar ? ’ Tis the signal our rights to regainand secure ’ Throu h God and our ad and g L y Rory O More.

For the merciless cots with their d i S , creed an the r swords, With war int ir osoms and he b peace intheir words, Have swornthe bright light of our faith to obscure ; ’ But our ho e is in od and in o p G R ry O More.

Onthe one hand was a people burning for venge ance on the o er were the a enurers e r a ; th dv t , th i p

e e w e e s o The a er s u o th p tit h tt d by p il . l tt eized p n e pretext that the Irish were bent onthe extermina tionof the Protestants and used it as an excuse for the universal conﬁscationof the p roperty of Catho

- l wa a we c sen ea. Th s r ics . It s ll ho pl e Iri h pa lia ment had beenprorogued ; the Puritan parliament looked upon Rome as the Scarlet Woman of the

oca s Ap lyp e. Irish apologists pointed out th at no attack was

o e were r es made uponthe Scotch , th ugh th y too P ot

rew n e r lot the En s . tants , until they th i th i with gli h Numer ous examples were cited in which Catholic

s an The ran scans priests had protected Prote t ts. F ci

e c urc es e enun er of Cashel hid refugees inth ir h h , v d th a a s e e the r o es an re a e of e lt r. Bi hop B d ll, P t t t p l t

r res ra n was a owe to sa Ulster , though unde t i t, ll d y

rv ce a eventhe r e f or the the Anglicanse i d ily, it ﬁfth THE CURSE OF CROMWELL 281 of vemer and w e e h m No b , , henh di d, the Irish gave i

onra e nermen and e a a e h o bl i t t ﬁr d volley over his gr v .

But s de ense el on a h er thi f f l de f ears. On t e oth

an the au r h d, tho ities gave cr edence to every tale of outrage and perpetuated its memory in deposi t ns reser e in r n e e i T m io p v d T i ity Coll g . S r John e le mas er of the r s at Du i p , t oll blin, stated na polit

ca am e a in the rs m hs of the i l p phl t th t, fi t two ont re e l on ro es ans w re m ere de b l i , P t t t e urd d, s r e or e e e f r om h ms ee t oy d xp ll d t eir ho e . He r ked not that the total number of Protestants inIreland at this per iod did not exceed and that the — number outside walled towns no massacre is even — alleged to have takenplace inthe towns was prob ably not more than The tale was told and f u fi e ts os T l ll d i purp e. It inno way took from em ’ ple s story that he had beenruined by the rebellion and looked for compensation fromthe confiscated — estates of the Irish a hope inwhich he was not dis a nte The lie sun no the ma na nof the ppoi d . k i t i gi tio E nglish people and had its result inthe horrors of

r e a and e r The s e e ed D ogh d W xfo d . Catholic d f nd

ms es but e r r in s ere s r e or the elv , th i w it g w de t oy d by der o ar amen f p li t .

r na e owe er for the erd of uman Fo tu t ly, h v , v ict h we ssess n rma n a ered imar a ity, po i fo tio g th by p ti l

n u r s Dr arnr a e ow of r n a r n i q i er . . W e , f ll T i ity, st o g

o ma th m r f ves ons Pr testant, de e ost ca e ul in tigati w n r of th c ua ur c s too ithi a centu y e a t l occ rene . So “ a er a s e who sa s arner is w did F th W l h , , y W , allo ed

o v es o a a t ha e beenhon t and l y l. W rner sifted the 282 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

evidence contained inthe Trinity College depositions

r of i s ow s and found the numbe k lled, as h nby po i

ve a s w nthe two ears was 21 0 . his ti f ct , ithi y , 9 To t number he added 1 61 9 onthe report of other Protes

a d n the re rt f some th rebels a t nts an , o po o of e ,

r er 800 m n 4028 inall ere is v ence fu th , aki g . Th e id inthe same collectionof 8000 who died as the result of ill usage ; but Warner cannot bring himself to

eca s th a man t sta e accept it, b u e of e nture of y of he t ’ mens alshe s mu n 8 0 s n is an t . W co p tatio of 0 0 lai awf ul ﬁgure ; but we must remember that the insur rectionlasted two years ; that the wars of E lizabeth were a living memory ; that the Northernchieftains had beenexiled and their lands divided among peo

le of a enra e an his t re a p li c d faith. Add to t he t lia tory violence of the government soldiers and the out — break of 1 641 appears inits true light nu insar

r ec on but no massa r F a rom es th ti , c e. r f d iring e

s ee s ress n the re e ion the r s s p dy upp io of b ll , lo d j u

ces men i r n t r as e a n ti fo ted t. Acco di g o Lo d C tl h ve it was a common saying among themthat The mre ere ere in re e on the more an s ou o th w b lli , l d h ld be forf eited to them These same lords justices went to the length of putting Catholic gentry to the

a e tor coness ns of o s The m t r ck to x t f io pl t . ili ary

r o an e to s ow n E v n n s we e c mm d d h o mercy. e i fant

s a n th s rs s in r were l i , e oldie j u tify g their butche y ” rr or s s w with the ho ible w d Nit ill be lice. At the outbreak of the civil war King Charles would willingly have treated with the Irish Catho

he nee e e r e but he was ear u lica, f or d d th i h lp ; f f l of

286 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

municate w h rmn e e the c c it O o d , who h ld ity. On e more dissensionlost the Irish people the goldenmo

men rmn e ve e no the ands of t. O o d ga th city i t h

a s r enin the p rliamentarian and ﬂed to France. B ok

ea ar a e oun the on h lth, dec l ed a tr itor by th c cil of C ’ e r O ill r l f de ation, N e died a year later and I e and

la at the mer of t e enem y cy h y.

E r nhas had mn e sons nn mr i a y devot d , but o e o e true to her best self or more terrible to her enemies ’ an e Ro O N eill h e he a mte the er th Ow n e . W il d it d ov

or s i t s n his aimwa rt al l d h p of he Engli h ki g, s vi u

n e en en A e o at c he s o for e i d p d ce. d v ut C holi , t od r

li ious ree om His ea was re an for the g f d . id l I l d

r s t th on r a was e m o I i h. Bu e C fede tion rul d by en f narrow vision and they spurned the very manwho

a wo s nce dis alone could h ve ntheir cau e. O more

o r r An e n uni n robbed E inof he hopes . legy by a D i o oe a s a e r . o unknwn p t, tr nl t d by S gers n, how bitterly the people rued his loss :

’ I stood at Cavan o er thy tomb ; ’ Thou spok st no word through all my gloom; 0 want ! 0 ruin! O utter doom! 0 great lost heir of the house of Niall ! I care not now whomdeath may borrow; s air its me ni ht and morrow De p s by g , nce o lo My life he f rth is one ng sorrow,

Katherine TynanHinksonpictures the dead war r r awa n e re sti r c hall n io iti g th p de ned hou , whi h s br i g the heroes of E rinonce more to face the foe THE CURSE OF CROMWELL 287

’ en N e Ow Roe O ill, n ies in that ver went ncrowne The ki gl t k g e u d, o o l nd s e l Sleeps inhis panply f go d a t e , a e Re dy to wak .

A magniﬁcent keenhas been set by Sir Charles r Stanford to words by Cha les Perceval Graves, ’ o r r s a is n e a n mu ning the he o f te. It a legi c strai that will vie with the most eloquent grief of Bee thovenor an H del.

The landing of Cromwell and his Pur itans ushered 288 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ inthe ar es hour E rins s tor The rons des d k t of y. I i and their grimcaptain came as ministers of the

wr a God. e h r s t as th of Th y looked upont e I i h, no men and w menma e in the ima of od ut as o d ge G , b n th re e e . ome em l e child of d vil S of th be i ved that, when the Savior was shown the kingdoms of the wor re an was ld , I l d hidden fromhis sight as the

e u ar a ana e of the p c li pp g ﬁend. It had beenspread a roa a at the s ormn of as el m b d th t, t i g C h , so e forty

r sh were oun who s r I i f d , when t ipped, had tails “ ” nar a uar r e q te of a yard long. I n the eyes of an noran ass onate re u c o ig t, p i ly p j di ed pe ple, these

h n s were roo s ron as o wr t t i g p f, t g h ly it, that he

w no u es a Th r s ere t uman b t . e zeal s o I i h h , b ti l ot f the da ra e a a ns the r s ina s ra nwh c to y g d g i t I i h t i i h, t ars of ou co er a s n s e r e i ous i he e r ld f ith, ou d lik l gi n san sam e s u e ar iman ma ity . A pl i q ot d by H d fro book printed in London in this same year of the

a i of as e a s the au or t k ng C h l . S y th

I beg uponmy hands and knees that the expeditionagainst themmay be undertaken while the hearts and hands of our l ie o whom will be ol to sa rie : a so d ry are h t, to I b d y b ﬂy H ppy is he that shall reward themas they have served us and o n l cursed is he that shall do that work of the L rd egligent y.

rse h ol e hi sw r ac ro loo Yea. Cu d be he t at h d th s o d b k f mb d. Cursed be he that maketh not his sword stark drunk with rish l tha oth not recomense them ou l f or their I b ood, t d p d b y hellish treachery to the E nglish ; that maketh themnot heaps l ra n uponheaps and their country a dwelling p ace f or d go s, n not e e oo for it a astonishment to nations. Let that y l k p y, tha h n h i them d nor t a d to be spared, t at pit es or spares ; an Iet himbe accurse tha curseth themnot itterl d t b y.

The Cromwellianexpeditionwas conducted inthe

240 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

” e on s Th as ac b l g . e l t pl e of refuge for the unhappy

eo e was the c ur c e d e se s ts p pl h h. Th y hi th mlve inlof

and a ler es and the wer an e w g l i to , d th re the ork of

mur er en onun e were all s a n ro d w t til th y l i . To p

ee emse es as e mbe s t t th lv , th y cli d the teep stairways, the Cromwellians would take a child and use it as

a uc er ro er of n n oo the Ox b kl . A b th A tho y W d,

or s r an w one of the assa ans an is f d hi to i , as il t , d h relationof what took place under his owneyes is an authentic illustr ationof the Cromwellianmeaning of ” ’ m c o un co Mr . s a c u er y. W od c o t ncl des

After they had killed all inthe church, they went into the h whe w c f h vaults underneat , re all the ﬂo er and choi est o t e w mn n ladies had hid themselv s n of se ms o e a d e . O e the , a o t

han some vir in arra e in costl and e u a re d g , y d y gorg o s ppa l, neele ownto Thomas Woo with tears and ra ers to save k d d d, p y her i e and in stric e wit ro o n itie he t l f , be g k n h a p f u d p , ook her un er his armwent th her ou of the ch rch wit i d , wi t u , h n enions t o l a t t o put her over the w rks to shift f or herse f, but l i r rceiv n i in nions a his wor o so d e , pe i g h s te t , he r n s d thr ugh er r Woo seein he r as in t k h whereupon M . d, g g p g, oo aw n her ve a her m ewe s et . a d un own o h y oney, j l , c , ﬂ g d r t e wor ks.

Here is a massacre in the doing of which the ’ mur erers or T e are o n o s wor e d gl y . h y d i g G d k ; th y are es ro n His enemes How wou a ea d t yi g i . ld th t pl be rec e th r a aven w the mur eiv d by e t ibun l of he , ith dered innocents of Drogheda for witnes ses ? At Wexford 800 families gathered r ound the

s r The ro wel ians great cro s inthe ma ket place. C m l s ew emone and all un and old womenand l th , , yo g , THE CURSE OF CROMWELL 241

tl c ren The s of the ros w lit e hild . ight c s as more calculated to ar ouse the wor st passions of the Puri

s a sa tan thanto allay them. All th t vored of Cathol

icismwas a c s t w held c ur ed. I meddle no ith any ’ ” mans consc ence wro romwe i , te C ll ; but if by lib erty of conscience he meant the liberty to exercise

the ass u e s a - w M , I j dg it be t to be pl indealing ; here

the ar amen En a av ower a ll no p li t of gl nd h e p , th t wi t ” be o all wed . The story of Pierce Ferriter illustrates the gr im

arac er of romw anwar ar err er e on e ch t C elli f e. F it b l g d to that large class of Irish gentry which played the

ar f or r r w s But his ec ea on He as a a oe . h p ti . l o p t

as n a im genius poet and musicia av iled h nothing. The Cromellians laid siege to his castle in County

a a e nse w s o e ess err Kerry nd, seeing th t d fe a h p l , F i ter off ered to surr ender on condition that quarter w t mse and his men The erms ere as given o hi lf . t w

r nce e had himin he r ower g anted ; but, o th y t i p ,

o r so and er ee n the vict rs put himin p i n , aft k pi g

i u f r s e an e h mthere f or a co ple o yea , th y h g d

a ne I n ar . himonwhat is now Fair Hill, ne r Kill y happier days a friend made Ferriter the present of a beautiful h arp and the musiciancelebrated ina

v an s poemwhich has fortunately beenpreser ed. Th k ’ to O urr we canr a the ec nca erms C y, ightly pply t h i l t

Cor is the cr ss r ee or bar used by the author . o t monic curve of the harp ; Lamchrannis the front

ar an the Comis the ell or s un ard. pill , d b y o d bo t m nd ane u s e one is evenin Here is he poe , a xq i it it , the liter al English translation 242 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAN D

e ke of music d i Th y an ts gate. The wed t the a d of h bo e poetry,

The ri f es iv chly t e moaner. Chﬂdrenindire sickness menindeep wounds Sleep at the sounds of its crimsonboard ; The merr witch has cha y sed all sorrow, The f estive home of music and eli ht d g . I t found a Cor ina fruitful wood in(Magh) A oi And a Lamhchranninthe fort of Seantroi ; e ric Th h, sonorous discourse of the musical notes And a comel omf ro Eas d co y C m a E nn. t f o a i I und M c S thduiii to planit, I t foun ath i be i ar d C a l to ts tiﬁ cer, A nd Beanlann— rea g g t the honor , Got to do its astenins of ol and its emblaaonin ( ) f g g d gs, Excellent in ee was it o her ad rn d d s t o er ingold,

P arthalonMor Mac Cathail.

The har of th old and the ems p e g g . h rin f a a i T e p ce o decor tors is P rtha on.

mnme the n uence of the r es s mwe To i i iz i ﬂ p i t , Cro ll

ro h r s n ut d ve t e I i h ge try o of Leinster , Munster and

ls e an a e e an s w i s U t r d g v th ir l d to re ard h s Ironside . Only those who could prove constant aff ection f or England since 1 641 were permitted to remainin

ss s of r s a s an ec s onw s e po es ion thei e t te , d the d i i a l ft to courts of claims with Puritanj udges f or arbiters .

o on a o cs En is and r sh e who had N t ly C th li , gl h I i alik , s m i w th in but res er ans of e y path zed ith e k g, P byt i lik

o t F or ms of emthe on mind were driven u . o t th ly ” o onna The on portion ff ered was Hell or C ught . ly people allowed to remain in the other three prov inces were labor ers and tradesmenwith whose serv s ense T ices not eventhe Cromwellians could di p . he

Badgers ﬂee bef ore us, - ' W ood cocks startle oer us,

The fox runhigh and higlt r, o emen n ni her H rs shouti g g .

w m c i Fare ell. ho e of h ldhood. ' Ah ! Shane O Dwyer a Gleanna,

He mourns his do s tied u unable to d nse the sta f romtin g p, g

a p eaee came but a smll way, ’ I d j ourney downto Galway,

M E rinnof ills y .

Alas ! no warrior columnﬁghts for Ireland onthe

l s The name of E r nis as e no o wasted p ain . i to t d mre

n e c a in am or a a e. h e ms : city, c p p l c S a x l i

Oh ! Whenshall come shoutin the g, The English ﬂight and routing? We hear no j oyous shouting Fromthe blackbird yet ; B ut more warli e looms h omen k g t e . ustice comes to no me J n, i must ﬂee the oemen Pr ests f .

To hilly caves and wet.

He regrets that sinless death was not his bef ore the

n r o The res is u doing of his b ight h pe. t pure r ebel THE CURSE OF CROMWELL 245

N ow m an s are un er y l d pl d , F m riend asunder ar y f s , I must hide me under ea and raml H th b b e screen, If soonI cannot save me By ﬂight fromfoes that crave ’ 0 Death, at last I ll seek thee, Our itter oes etween b f b .

n ’ w e f £1 40. Sha Q O D y r o tha OIen. 246 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAN D

We are probably justiﬁed inreferring to this pe ” r on Th u o o. riod that popula s g, e Co nty f May The Cromwellians gave the Irish permissionto take service inthe army of any nationat amity with the

mmn ea me 000 en to a n o ers Co o w lth . So 7 w t Sp i ; th went to ﬁght under the Prince of Conde ; 5000 f ol lowed Lord Muskerry to j ointhe forces of the king

The oun of a seems be the of Poland. C ty M yo to leave-taking of anIrishmangoing to seek fortune inSpain:

’ w ht Onthe deck of Patrick Lynch s boat I sat in oful plig , he Through my “ﬂ ag all the weary day and weeping all t night ; o Were it not that full of sorrow frommy people forth I g , ’ ’ i ro all sin th raise a o. By the blessed sun, t s y y, I d g y p , M y

WhenI dwelt at home inplenty and my gold did much abound. n I n the company of fair young maids the Spanish ale we t

' ’ ’ They re altered girls inI rrul now; tis proud they re grown

and high.

248 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND ants of these same Ironsides

n n romthe s t a emt thi ki g f Iri h s andpoint. tt p to anglicize Ireland by colonization pletely as the eff ort to make Irish act of CHAPTER XI

THE JACOBI TE I LLUSI ON

ON the restorationof the Stuar ts Protestant royal ists and Feder ated Catholics who had beendeprived

e r es a e romwe oo e o res n of th i t t s by C ll l k d f r titutio . ’ But Oliver s Ironsides and the Adventurers were in

s on d w a posses i , an hat they h d they declared they

wou o . ever e ess ar e rome to n ld h ld N th l , Ch l s p is d rei ” s a e all nnocen a s s me nin t t I t P pi t , a g thereby all Catholics who could prove that they had had no hand inthe insurrectionof 1 64-1 and had not home

rms a a ns n ar s me r an s a g i t Ki g Ch le . To e t thei dem d the soldiers and adventurers agreed to give up a third par t of their land and the hear ing of claims was e un ome 00 cases wer ar an s b g . S 6 e he d d inmo t

ns ances the c aims w r ma oo r n i t l e e de g d. A c y of i dignationwent up fromthose inpossessionand the king and his advisers were so dismayed that the re mai n a ms o er 8 00 inn m r r ot al ni g cl i , v 0 u be , we e n

ow come a ear Th a o of ov l ed to to h ing. e cti n the g ernment thus amounted to a ratiﬁcation of the

romwe an se t emen and t a se emen is C lli t l t, o th t ttl t tr aceable the curse of Irish landlordism. Lecky quotes author ities to show the astounding change of ownership which the Cromwellian adj ustment

o a . ir am e s a es a be br ught bout S Willi P tty t t th t,

r 1 w - of t e r un ca a e of fo e 1 64 , t o thirds h g o d p bl cul 260 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

tivationwas ne a ho cs o ow d by C t li . Acc rding to Col onel awrenc e a romwe a oﬁ cer e or e 1 41 L , C lli n , b f 6 , the Irish held tenacres to one held by the E nglish ; a er the ass n the of e men in1 0 ft p i g of Act S ttle t, 66 , four -ﬁfths of the whole country was inthe hands of ’ the ro es ans I nthe r or P t t t . wo ds of WilliamO conn

orr s The ro es a s M i , P t t nt , English and Scotch , were now in possession of about three-qu arters of t so n he . The E s a o il gli h C th lics and Catholic Irish,

ﬂve-s x s the a n had rema nin i th of popul tio , the i g ” ar er qu t . This revolution in the ownership of the land c an e the r s e e no a ra e n ns h g d I i h p opl i t c of depe de t . Many of the old stock ﬂed to the continent and took fore serv ign ice. Others remained behind to beget childrenwhomnothing but anunconquerable spirit of independence prevented fromdegenerating into s r dom e f . It seemed as though the government were bent on

uc n th r s r r s co o a r a e red i g e I i h to begga y. I i h l ni l t d was le sla enac mn n er the av killed by gi tive t e t . U d N i gation Ac t of 1 660 Irish ships enj oyed the same

r e as E n s But the act was w r awn p ivil ge gli h. ithd and Irish tr ade with the colonies came abruptly to

nd e m ean w wr te in the an e . W ll ight D S ift i bit t rn of his ear The convenen or s e ess h t, i cy of p t and harbors which nature bestowed so liber ally on this kingdomis of no more use to us thana beauti ” on The f ul prospect to a manshut up ina dunge . woolentrade had beendiscouraged by Straff ord in the reignof Charles the First and the English par

’ “ th ati t n i d th l rii pu ﬁ am t of l m.

a tt it l rén d and orh u l the m w pay

t th ta m of th Pmal Ih u hnd to be gone - i h x gh tz f m tb e lfa sd dav uf rd igiomtolera

' vi v e d bv the kiz g s m -av be gatha d from

attftrxk m t to be tak enbv E nglish aristocrats to

Henn P urml but publisbed mder ﬂn ﬁ tle of an

B M W M M t h r b dea ecr Dut n shnnh w a -e' drpub e ? B o Sb r Sh aint Tybnmit s k m d v l n sh tmatr An bc fl cnt all h fl gfi . Dougb by my sonl k fl nglis h do ybntz

'o But if dispcnce do m f ru l h l pe. - W e l h n a n bnrta n dcn ma l g M g a C a d rope. ' ’ F or de good l albotr is made a lord ' i bnv d n d A nd th c la s is comi g abm . ’ W ho -Il inl r ance havc txkena sv are

An l but v hy does lr stay behind ? ’ Ho l m sonl tis ’ an by y a l rotts t t wind. ' ' But x e dc l yrr onnel is now cmne ashore THE JACOBI TE ILLUSION

And he dat will not go to de Mass a tu rnout and loo li Sh ll be k ke anass. w w d re No , no e he ticks all go down, ’ rish and hain a ri d By Ch S t P t ck, c nations our own. are was ano d ho h c o in o D l p p e y f und a b g, ” Ireland shall be ruled by anass and a dog ; And now dis ro hec is c me p p y o to pass, ’ For Tal ot s de do and ames is h b g J t e ass.

f eel n s e s war was n n With i g lik thi i evitable. Whe the Pr otestants under I nchiquinwere def eated they

ﬂed or th err its r m v wa an c N . D y, with p i iti e ll d dit h ,

ecame s ron ho and ere s da s an th b t g ld th , to thi y, t d e

u s w c the en s old g n, hi h def ders used with uch telling eff ec nthe aco te arm enthe acobites t upo J bi y . Wh J came a e os sess on the o n a n r n to t k p i of t w , ba d of p e

ce s s the a es in e r a es A e of ti youth hut g t th i f c . y ll ’ N o surrender rose fromthe walls at the King s

a o i s approach nd a shot laid low an ﬂicer by h s ide. To this day the inhabitants of Derry play the old “ march tune of N o Surrender onthe anniversary

f s n o n t a The er w men o hutting a d peni g he g tes. v y o took p art in the def ense and for over a hundred

s e th enm at ba sav n emse ves day they k pt e e y y, i g th l

t se e r ow words As the srae inthe end, o u th i n , I l ” od a we ca s r ve the ites in the Red Sea. T y n u y conﬂict unmoved by party passion and remember aco only the heroismwhich it brought for th. The J

u u in mer c s a e e er bite Irish, sh t p Li i k, di pl y d lik h o n s es cou ismmenand womena e. o , lik If ly both id ld have known their interests were one and j oined ’ forces for Ireland s weal ! But a long age had to n ommnw the res pass by before Ireland, i c o ith t of 254 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

the w r ear e a o ld, l nd th t menmay diff er in religion and yet be mutually helpful citizens of the same wa o commonwealth . It s the Y ung Ireland par ty

which ﬁrst recognized and insisted on that truth .

e o John de Jean Fraz r , a Cath lic, addressed following lines to his Pr otestant brother

Come ! pledge again thy heart and hand ’ One gr asp that ne er shall sever ; Our watchword be Our native land l Our motto Love for ever I And let the Orange lily be Th a e m a ri ro r y b dg , y p t ot b the The everlasting Green f or me ; d w f n n er An e or o e a oth .

E er n wa a a ns th acobites ms v ythi g s g i t e J , but o t of all the n e ou f or He ma e enemes , ki g th y f ght . d i of the people of Dublinby forcing themto accept base coinage ; he watched the battle of the Boyne

roma ne or n e w e amha his f ighb i g h ight, hil Willi d shoulder knot carr ied away by anIrish bullet inthe

c of th amous r s unner na e thi k e ﬁght . A f I i h g md

ur e ha am ere w his ece. re B k d Willi cov d ith pi Si , ” av r e n ms o ere he e c a me oo I h e th e ki gdo c v d, x l i d , l k t a ot ing to he king for the order to ﬁre. M ke n ” m a w ow sa ames a d ur e was y d ughter a id , id J , n B k

Willia it s so disgusted that he deser ted to the me . ” rs f ow he sa for Y ou may fight f or you el n , id ; I will fight no more f or you ! Y ou are not worth ” i f ames not wa for the end but fight ng or. J did it , posted full speed to Dublinand was the first to carry

w ea r s su e s r an the news of his o ndef t . My I i h bj ct

256 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND asters remembered in Lamentations of the pro

m nc o a r c Sarsﬁeld m have foundest ela h ly. P t i k ight aver ted the defeat at Aughrim; he might evenhave

an e n c r b . e nc ch g d it i to vi to y ; ut St Ruth, th Fre h

mma er was a ra th n r s man m co nd , f id e you g I i h ight

a o s or So he ut hi w ere all he ste l s me of hi gl y . p m h

w s ver the re rea u was could do a to co t t. St . R th killed by a cannonshot ; the soldiers were leaderless

r n a nd o an ill against the vete ans of E gl nd a H ll d . St they fought ﬁercely and the Williamite loss was little

n a f th r s The easans sa less tha th t o e I i h. p t y that,

t e the a r es were seen anc n inthe after he battl , f i i d i g

n u ri mfor ee at the e ea of eir r aths arou d A gh , gl d f t th

s e amena nof u rim ancient enemie . Th L t tio A gh ’ he is the sigh of the Gael f or Ireland s perished pes. I t gave Moore the inspiration of Forget Not the ” Field.

th wh t ris Forget not e ﬁeld ere hey pe hed, s l v The true t, the ast of the bra e, is All gone and the proud hopes they cher hed, ve Gone with themand quenched intheir gra .

0 could we fromdeath recover

Those hearts as they bounded before, I nthe face of high heavento ﬁght over That combat f or freedomonce more ;

a Could the chain but aninst nt be riven, n Which tyra ny ﬂung round as then, n N o, it is not inmen or inHeaven t r n in t in To let y any b d i aga .

’ F or a m er arsﬁeld s eaders the I r ti e, und S l hip, ish

r o a nst t e f o Th a e em held thei wn gai h e. e chi v ents THE JACOBI TE ILLUSION 257 of the young hero have made himthe darling of the ’ a o e we Roe O N eill he is popular imagin ti n. Lik O n ,

ero c evenin e ea I nthe r me of e s call h i d f t . p i lif , phy i y ma n cen as as n on ormn and ae g iﬁ t W hi gt , N a G l by

e he mma the res f hi emes anc stry, co nded pect o s en i

t nera nof i o lo ers ur n the rs and he ve tio h s f l w . D i g ﬁ t s of mer n he ear a ea s e iege Li ick, whe h d th t h vy i ge guns were being brought for the reduction of the c h s e awa n w c osen man ity, e tol y by ight ith a h co p y,

oca the s e ra nnar rmns w u l ted i ge t i e Silve i e , ble it p, an m is wa ac ome s nca e d ade h y b k h almo t u s th d . ’ This exploit was celebrated by David O Bruder in the following verse :

All eneais was stric enwi sorrow M k th , e d d t Wh nthe prince i , wi hout restraint, Muster his mighty troops and artillery n the er of nnish n O bord s I a non, B ut Sarsfiel le t not a om oat or mortar d f b b, b , ’ Or a farthing s worth of their brass equipments Without scatterin themin all g B yneety, As the win extinuishes the ame f d g ﬂ o a candle.

Ana em was ma e to a e the s o tt pt d t k city by t rm. The er men a i t v y wo took p rt n he defense, stood in the r nc es n t e h , ﬂu g stones and brokenbottles inthe ’ a es th assai w f c of e lants . T o thousand of Williams best menwere lost inthe ﬁght and the siege had to be r a n t ised . At the begining of he second siege Talbot died and the leadership devolved on Sars

ﬁeld th s n s . But e po itio wa one out of which not e enhis en s o e ra r ere was v g iu c uld xt ct victo y . Th talk of treachery and the following verse gives a 258 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

sor of ar mmor a i to o ne enr t d k i t l ty C lo l H y Luttrell, ’ who is said to have sold the pass to Williams

orc He ive inD s is i f es . l d ublinhated and de p ed unt l,

some wen ears a r h w e i t ty y l te , e as shot whil r ding in

s a a r a ed nch i .

heaven If be pleased whenmortals cease to sin, he l n If ll be p eased whenvillains enter i , earth be lease whenit entomhs v If p d a kna e, ’ All must be lease for uttrell s inhis rave p d, L g .

Terms of capitulationwere agreed uponand the

r s roo s mrc e t w arms ordnance and I i h t p a h d ou ith ,

ammnt on s co or in The rum ea n an s . u i i , d b ti g d l ﬂy g articles of surrender guaranteed the Catholics such privileges in the exercise of their religion as are

w r o as e consistent with the la s of I eland, r th y did

enj oy in the reign of King Charles the Second .

n s er was be ree omof ra e More tha thi , th e to f d t d ; the adherents of King James were to be conﬁrmed in

r s a es and ere wa to be a ener a amnes . thei e t t , th s g l ty The I rish soldiers who wished to do so were to be

rea ou er allowed to take ser vice abroad. A g t b ld w s ne was the rude desk onwhich the treaty a sig d, and that stone s tands to this day by Thomond ’ mnumen of En an s ro en e e Bridge, a o t gl d b k pl dg ’ n En s h st r ans do and Ireland s trustful ess. gli h i o i

r a sa t on is eas er to nore not dwell onthis t n c i . It i ig

wa Let an En l s man un than explain it a y . y g i h rnthe tru and he blinded by pride of r ace but lea th a n will understand how Irishmencame to regard S xo

ssness faith as faithle .

260 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND mountains the ent of the cum h and the bo mrtle , b g . g y beneath their bodies. un er lasts of win Under frost, under snow, under rain, d b d, a sorrel without a morsel to eat but watercress, green gr ss, it o see of the mountains or clover of the hills. Och ! my p y t

Some soldiers left home rather than sub ” The eese o e calle t em mit. Wild G the pe pl d h , af ter the feathered migrants which annually whiten

s s r n w o the Iri h ho es a d ﬂy a ay to the S uth . They had ou f r a an wo N ow e f ght or I el nd d been rsted . th y

t s e or une in ano e c me os of hem mus e k f t th r li . M t t wo l never more see the c ff s of E r n Y et e e u d li i . xil

e m re era e to on a e ou th eav -tak s e ed p f bl b d g , th gh e l e

was r o w rom ons in te . t ers ere ar e s g bit M h p t d f , ” ves rom us an s . The u nel wi f h b d D blin I t ligence,

ne i 1 1 e s w w a m pri t d n 69 , t ll ith h t circu stances of

r i the emarca on was carr e out he b utal ty b ti i d . T

oun sa s a W aho the oﬁ cer char acc t y th t p, in ge,

din to shi the sol iers in or er a preten g p d d , ccording to his t m rst carrie the men h on oar . lists of e , fi d b d Many of the w men at the secon return of the oats for the o , d b ofi cers, n o o be carrie n ar r catchi g h ld t d o bo d, we e dragged off with th oats and throu h ear ulness losin hol were rown e b , g f f , g d, d ed. Others who yet held fast had their fingers cut of and came to the sam miser end insi h o e able , g t f thei r husbands and

— It used to be believed and Bunting shared inthe — “ belief that the touching air known as The Wild Geese was sung by the women gathered onshore at this time. There is no reason why this should

b r a n is a the re erenc s not e so. Ce t i it th t f e to the

x rs i s n an s or are nnumera e iled soldie n o g d t y i ble. A THE JACOBITE ILLUSION 261 father who had lost his sonby drowning cries out for grief that the youth had not sailed with the

men

o My grief and my loss that you had not gone on shipb ard, I ncoman with Sir ames as the Wil eese have one p y J , d G d ; Thenmy loving trust would be in God that I would have your company again And that the stormy sea should not become the marriage bed

Wild Geese. Ex. 41 . The 262 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

But most of all had Ireland cause to mourn the

ss of her ra es son atr arsﬁe d The da lo b v t , P ick S l . y of oppressionhad come and their protector was leav

m e amen i n and re ic ing the . Th y l ted h s goi g d w p

ur s of his r um an re rn arewel t no t e t i ph t tu . A f l, pu i t

the mo h of an old so er ro en war s ws ut ldi , b k by , ho

w h ot t o e of e emis ho t e people felt. N he wh l th po

v mar i Who t. here gi en, but the pith and row of

its author was we do not know.

ars ld ! uck he on ur ath ! Farewell. 0 Patrick S ile May l yo p Your camp is brokenup ; your work is marred f or years ; ’ wrath But you go to kindle into ﬂame the King of France s , c Though you leave si k E rinintears.

d May the white sunand moonrainglory onyour hea . All hero as you are and holy manof God ! ho r f r a To you the Saxons owe a many an u o d e d. d I nthe land you have oftentro . Och ! Ochone !

' ver mount moor a nd wave. I ll j ourney to the North. o , ” Twas the re rst ehel rawnu inﬁ le and line, I ﬁ b— d, d p The brilliant I rish hosts they were the bravest of the brave ;

But alas ! they scorned to combine. Och ! Ochone !

in where a thousan horsemen ell I fought at Gra e 0 g, d f ; too Onthe dark empurpled ﬁeld of Aughrimtoo I s d, ’ onn s Well Onthe field of Tubberd y . Och ! Ochone !

264 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

tury the Irish Brigade continued to give pr oof of

a ec e es r n. its mettle, ste dily r ruit d by exil fromE i The colors they captured fr omthe English at R am ilies hung in the choir of the church of the Bene w dietine nuns at Ypres . They ere the fruit of a

a c ar ea or a w o is brilli nt h ge h ded by L d Cl re, h lost h

A onen the E s ad ar o life. t F t oy ngli h h ne ly w nthe

a w the are a d a e or er he s d y, hen M ch l e S x d ed t Iri h

r to ar e e e e his o w th B igade ch g . Th y ob y d w rd i

s r ememer mer c o fierce ze t , c ying R b Li i k and Sax n ” F or m the n s so ers s fi r faith . a ti e E gli h ldi tood m; ’ but they were only fighting for a soldier s pay ; the Irishmenwere spurred onby the memory of a thou ’ s n wron s The ers a e a r c s a d g . pip pl y d St. P t i k

a and The e c a e and s mu D y Whit Co k d , to thi

t e r a e swe the a o r e sic , h B ig d pt S xon s ldie y befor

m was h as m a the r s es were the . It t e l t ti e th t I i h pip

e w r . used inwar . Th y ended ith a note of t iumph

e m e r the econd e c a m en he W ll ight G o ge S x l i , wh

r th ws e t aws w c e r m hea d e ne , Curs he l hi h d p ive e ” was r the es o of of such soldiers. He ight ; b t bl od

re an inthe menof a r a e r va I l d ﬂowed th t b ig d . P i teers would put into the secluded Westernharbors

and a e off re r s The En s new w a w s t k c uit . gli h k h t a

o n on e were ower es r en g i g ; but th y p l s to p ev t it . A large company of mourners would follow the body of anold womanto some remote cemetery among the l s and ne er r t e enserv e hi l v e urn. Th y had tak ic with ’ E n an s enemes s as r s men inthe gl d i , ju t I i h did Boer w ar and will continue to do until Ireland governs erse h lf . THE JACOBI TE ILLUSION 265

h White ck T e Co ade. Eh . 42.

’ r O e one the O Sulliv Mo ty g , of ans of Bearhaven, was denounced to the author ities as a captaininthe

I ‘h'ench s v er ce. He s t the n rmer rt im i ho i fo , fo iﬁed h se inhis me and re ared s a F or lf ho p p to t nd a siege. 266 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D a me he e t e s i r at But here was a ti k pt h old e s bay. t

r or inthe us a van n s t ait ho e, ser t amed Scully. Thi ’ wretch damped his master s powder and placed him

the merc of the enem hil e w r n to at y y. W e h as t yi g ’ ma e his esca e sul v was he e k p , O li an shot . T y ti d a r rou his o as a d ope nd b dy, f tened it to a boat n

w t r ca v to ed he poo rcass fromBearha en to Cor k. There the head was cut off and ﬁxed ina spike above ’ the o n a . Th old n e f o c u ty j il e urs o O sullivan, r someone s n her as s esman mos a amen u i g pok , co p ed l t for her master and it is a ﬁne example of Gaelic

m r sorrow and power of i precation. Here a e a couple of verses takenfromthe versionof Jeremiah Joseph Callahan

Had he ie calml d d y, w ul n e r m I o d ot d plo e hi . tri Or if the wild s fe, - ’ Of the sea war closed o er him. But with ropes round his white limbs ro h oceanto tr him Th ug ail , Like a ﬁ sh after slaughter ” ‘ I is therefore I wail him.

Long may the curse Of his people pursue them: im Scully that sold h , And soldier that slew him! ’ One glimpse of heavens light May they see never ! May the hearthstone of hell Be their best bed for ever !

To belong to the Brigade was the darling am

r ou nd how ass ona e the bitiou of I ish y th , a p i t ly

268 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D

Twixt Tralee and Berehaven it shall be ; And downby Lough Eirin Our leader shall wage ierce war the eath a ainst hane Buidh F to d g S e.

’ The Wild Geese shall returnand we ll welcome them activ rme d o ﬂ 80 e, so a d an s ighty ’ A ﬂock was ne er knownto this island to come i r r S nce the yea s of P ince Fionnthe mighty.

They will waste and destroy, ’ Overturnand o erthrow ; ’ ’ They ll accomplish whate er may inmanbe ; Just heaven! they will bring Desolation and woe

Onthe hosts of the t rannous Shan y e Buidhe.

the r a e ne er ame ba I ts so d ers But B ig d v c ck. l i and many Irishmenbesides served their warlike ap

ren ces al th r a an ra n p ti hip l over e wo ld, w iting d p yi g

or th a s for f e d y when they hould ﬁght Ireland .

Spain had ﬁve Irish regiments ; Naples had one.

a Tollendal n f or r ne d s e En L lly , ﬁghti g F a c , i put d g ’ land s sway inIndia ; Peter Lacy became military

ser to t advi Peter he Great.

But ose e at ome w en arsﬁ ld wen a a th l ft h , h S e t w y,

r in sorr all e the kn ow we e y plight. Not b nt ee, h

r . her were r s r w o of e r eve T e ﬁe y pi its h , robbed th i

an s in to a e E r to the il s l d but unwill g le v in, took h l a and waged a guerrilla warfare onthe stranger . R p

ar s e wer ca e r omth on e he use p ee th y e ll d f e l g pik t y d . They descended by night and dealt out grimj us w w l tice to the Saxon ho d elt inthe home of the Gae .

u a as ma e ac ors . Ca ght, they were put to de th l f t Many a r uined Irish gentleman led this wild life THE JACOBITE ILLUSION 269 and the peasantry looked onthe Rapparees with a sor of ear u r e One of the numer was E amn t f f l p id . b o a noc or E mn of the o herwise E mund C d u d Hill, t d ’ O R an a a a n as co e n e lmn . s m y , a tiv of Ki gh A o g h downto us which bears his name and it gives us a graphic picture of the life of the outlawed Gael. I t is cast inthe formof a dialogue betweenEdmund and his sweetheart :

o i s d s r Y u, with vo ce hrill an ha p, i i n L ke the h gh to es of a harp, Why knock you at my door like a warning? “ amN ed of the ill I H , amwet col and chil I , d l, ’ ” To in er ill nd a ince ornin il g o h a d le s m g. Ah m l ve is i ou ? , y o , t y What on earth canI do? d My gowncannot ﬁ n a corner. Ah ! they will soonﬁnd you out ; ’ s nev r o They ll hoot you, e d ubt, ’ ” d it s tha n a o An I t will the be murner.

’ on I mwanerin i woe L g d g n , r I nf ost and in snow, N o house can I enter boldly My plows lie unyoked ; My ﬁelds weeds have choked ; And rien he l onm l my f ds t y ook e co dly. s For akenof all, My heart is in thrall ’ wi he li s m e r All t red e y li f s ga land. I must look afar

F or a brighter star, ” ina Must seek my home f ar land.

It may be mar veled at that the duplicity of Charles and the unkingliness of James did not dis 27 0 THE SONG LORE OF I RELAN D

il us onthe the art ut the misfo t nes l i Irish of Stu s. B r u

the f mo arch the ictures ue ﬁ ures of of ugitive n , p q g

and re en r ve al the the Old Young P t de s and, abo l, persecution which the Ir ish themselves had inna derge for the sake of religionat the hands of Wil

m n his s ss rs en e to r w amour lia a d ucce o , t d d th o a gl over the exiled house and to identify their cause with ’ s a en embere Er n ness . M rem at hen i h ppi d th , w

rl s th w th r ne o Cha e e Second as on e th o , the pe ple could go to Mass without fear ; the priest came and went at pleasure ; inthose days it was not crim ti w inal to be a Catholic. But the me as coming whenI rishmanwould be told fromthe bench that the law did not presume a Papis t to exist in the king domand that he could not breathe without the con

v The s s of the a are u l ni ance of the king. ong ge f l of expressions of grief and anger at the persecution

c w act i o er a le whi h as being pr iced , and, n rd to be b

to a c a m s s r o ppre i te the , it i neces a y to kn w the na

r th er a N o tu e of e t rible Penl Code. Protestant reader need feel hurt by this necessary recital of

a oli s l of ran w av C th c wr ong . Wil iam O ge ould h e kept the promise which General Ginkel made inhis name as a conditionof the capitulationof Limerick and gr anted the Catholi cs the unfettered exercise

t e r n ut h are o w of h ir eligio . B e d d nt th ar t the will

the eo e who had ut himonthe r of p pl p th one. The attitude of the ruling minority inIreland is well set forth in a letter issued by the corporationof Dub linin1 693 “ n a r es an o A Protestant ki g, P ot t t H use of Com

272 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

” wer a w e the enemy . Th t as the name by which

e were mmn t th y co o ly called . E ven he galleries of

the ar i men use were c sed a ains p l a t ho lo g t them.

The th i s ere now i imo en The Ca ol c w pol tically p t t .

ne t s e was re u e the. rt law x t p to d c to pove y. A was passed forbidding Catholics to purchase manors

or n ens o o s te em t , r to h ld a lea e for more than8 1

ears the arm a o y . If f of Cath lic yielded a proﬁt

e a more ana r of h qu l to th thi d t e rent, it passed into the hands of the Protestant who ﬁr st made the fact

nown the a r es Enr ne to the ear ned k to utho iti . t a c l

ro ss ons was N o on o s r p fe i barred. e c uld be a barri te or so c or or o an c vi or m ar ofﬁ e w li it , h ld y i l ilit y c , ith out rst a i the oa f ab ation a he aw ﬁ t k ng th o j ur , nd t l ’ yer who married a Catholic incurred his wife s dis

s ner ro es an s be a abilitie . No co v t to P t t ti mcould j ustice of the peace so long as his wife or children

n o a o m t ot enbe a remai ed Cath lic . A C th lic igh n ev

mkee o me ee r arr arms and t a ga e per, f r ga k pe s c y , h t Catholics were forbidden to do under penalty of w n r th a ar era e in the hippi g o e pill ry . Qu t g shape of excessive taxes was imposed on Catholic if tr adesmen who sought a livelihood intown and, f m s e they grumbled at the illegality o the i post , th y w r r a n th a f ab uration me e e th e te ed with e o th o j . So s towns would not permit a Catholic withinthe wall . DeanSwift wrote of one such borough

is Jew, Turk or Athe t

May enter here, but not a P apist.

A Catholic parent could not be guardian to his THE JACOBI TE ILLUSION 273

o a no ma er how n c ose n child. If child, tt you g, h a to declare himself a Protestant, he was t ken from the father and placed in the care of his nearest

ro s ant re an s e w a owe P te t relative. Mo th thi , h as ll d anannuity fromthe paternal estate and the f ather had to declare the value of his possessions to enable the co o am n of t e a ow c a urt t ﬁx the ou t h ll ane. If

e onorm t ro an on law wif c f ed to he P test t religi , the ’ insur ed her a jointure fromher husband s posses

ns v n a n the r es sio . E eryo e was bound to tte d se vic — of the E stablished church Catholi c and Pr esbyte r a alikk —un r na of ﬁne r ma es were i n de pe lty . Pilg i g declared to be inconsistent with the safety of the m” kingdo .

c er m n s o s ere r ere to ea e All l gy en, eve bi h p , w o d d l v

the co nr 1 8 re rnwas reason. u t y by 6 9. To tu high t A reward of £30 was off ered to anyone who discov

e u s or 50 f o anarc ered the wher abo ts of a prie t, £ r h

s o An at o c o er 1 8 m be es one bi h p. y C h li v ight qu ti d

a ma s r a and he re se e w ere he by gi t te , if fu d to t ll h

r ass ha to a ﬁne £ 20 or o last hea d M , he d p y a of g

r s nfor a ear Onthe o er an an r es to p i o y . th h d, y p i t who would conf ormto the state religionmight earn a a r o 30 ear o s sc oolmas ers and s la y f £ a y . P pi h h t tu ors ere menace ﬁne mr sonmen and t w d with , i p i t

rans or a n An o c nv c e of send n his t p t tio . y ne o i t d i g

s a o s his child abroad to be educated a Cath lic, lo t r to a a e romrece in an ight sue, was incap cit t d f iv g y

a e i o s and c a tels for leg cy, and for feit d h s g od h t r ever and his lands fo life. n s Mass was said in caves, in mountain fast esse , 274 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND in t s a a r s he h dow of gre t t ee , with watch zealously

e f t e r r r k pt or h p iest hunte . P iests and bishops went amn e r c s d s uise as rs o i s o g th i ﬂo k i g d pipe . S met me

he r resene wa w n e t t i p c s i k d a by the author ities . For many of the Protestant magistrates regarded the laws against their Catholic brethrenwith aver s n One rov s onof the co e en e a ro s n io . p i i d titl d P te ta t, h r of t ont e tende £5, to demand he horse which a

a o c was r n or r n m v C th li idi g d ivi g, no atter how alu a e it m be nce a r es an s bl ight . O P ot t t made thi demand on a Catholic gentleman and the Catholic

mme a e noc e the e o o n The as w s i di t ly k k d f ll w d w . c e a taken into court and the magistr ate upheld the Catholic on the ground that the Protestant had no right to the bridle which the horse was wear ing at the th e he laid hands onit . Wheninformed of the

e a s r es the ma s ra e n wh re bout of a p i t, gi t t , if ki dly

s se ou secr e s en r his min di po d , w ld tly d wo d of co g

arr e s too a e eff e a arres o and iv ju t l t to ct n t . S loath indeed were the Protestant gentry to put the penal laws in execution that the pr iest hunters

The e s a r complained to parliament . l gi l to s there uponpassed a resolution That all magistr ates and all persons whatsoever who neglect or omit to put the penal laws into execution were betraying the ” r t e n om e a so res ed libe ties of h ki gd . Th y l olv That the prosecuting and informing against P a ” w r a r pista as anhono ble ser vice to the gove nment. Every means was adopted to prevent frater nity and good understanding between Protestants nd atholics er t a C . Aft he rebellionof 1 745 an act

27 6 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

cit prentices, the rulers of the y, who tore down on every cha ishin side the blessed pels, ban g and plundering the cler gy of God ? “ They do not veuture (now) to say to us You Popish r " rogue but our watchword is C omwellian dog. The heese-e n n sorrow ul re urni v r r as c ati g clow s are f , t ng, e e y g e y ou of themto their tr a es without un or swor or rm l t . d , g d a ercis s eir strenth is one their hea a n ex e ; th g g ; rts re beati g. in d eve conceiv r After transplant g us an ry able treache y. t after trans porting us over sea o the country of Jamaica, te whomthe atter to n and af r all y sc ed Fra ce Spain. l d no su o eir emans how A l who di t bmit t th d d , they placed their heads and hearts on stakes, and all of our race who we va iri how e themt d v l re liant in sp t, th y put o eath i ely,

Lady Gregory thinks she canhear the king call ing to Erinin Ceandubh Dilis

The womenof the villa e are inma ness d g d an trouble, Pulling their hair and letting it go with the wind ; The will not take a bo of the menof the countr y y y, Till the o into the rout with the bo s of the n y g y ki g.

a e acDonnell a ed Sh n M , c ll Claragh, fromthe bill at the f w c he was r w foot o hi h bo n, as the bar dic ’ s ons the re en er lar h p or of Old P t d . C ag s kinsman,

enera MacDonnell rememered as The G l , b MacAlis rum a am u on at d , w s sh ef lly d e to de h at the battle of Knockranoss in1 4 He en , 6 7 . w t to parley with ’ or I nchi uins men and e ew im L d q th y sl h . Claragh ne er r a e the En s for is mr er v fo g v gli h th u d . Two s ongs inparticular Claragh consecrated to the Ja cobi te ause. One s n the air T c , u g to of he White ” ’ ” C c a e 1is n as Cl a s a o k d , know ar gh L ment . I nit THE JACOBI TE ILLUSION 277 he bewails the sorrows of the Stuarts and pr otrays the Old Pretender as the ﬂower of chivalry

The tears are ever inm waste y d eye, My heart is crushed and my thoughts are sad ; For the sonof chivalr wa orce y s f d to ﬂy, And no ti ins come romth sol i d g f e d er lad. ca oaos

heart it ance whenhe was n My d d ear, hero m aesar m chevalier My , y C , y . w e t But hile he wand rs on he sea, Jo cannever be o to me y j y .

Mute are the minstrels that sang of him; The harp forgets its thrilling tone ; ri htest e es of the lan ar d The b g y d e im, F or the ri e of their achin si ht is p d g g gone.

T a nt race ul o he g lla , g f , y ung chevalier, Whose look is bonny as his heart is gay; swor in attle ashes eath and His d b ﬂ d fear, While he hews throu h allin oes his wa g f g f y.

’ lin in c e s hi e O er his b d g he k s blue ey s shine, ’ Lik e dewdrops glistening on the rose s leaf ; r and u i all in himcomine Ma s C p d b , The loomin lover and the o li e ch e b g g d k i f.

He has the grace of Phoebus or the youthf ul

us The oe n u es Eng . p t co cl d

f m arlin none must eclare Th e name o y d g d , Though his fame be like sunshine fromshore to shore ; n-h aven r m ra er But Oh ! may heave e hea y p y , ar n o e And waft my hero to my ms o ce mr .

The second ﬁne song inwhich Clar agh gave voice ” to his Jacobite sentiments was Grania Weile. It 278 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

au its romthe ﬁne ol air x c ght lilt f d (E . 88 ) named ’ a er race O Malle The on f ft G y. t e o this song is sangu ine and spirited and it was probably written

e re the sas er of ul o e is a r r b fo di t C l d n. It mtte f o re

re a ohn a ton the rans a or s ea s g t th t J D l , t l t , p k of rana ea ns ea of Gr ana W aile o G W l, i t d . These p ems are now being done into E nglish that is more wor thy

e of th m.

’ er the hi h il of E w on s O g h ls rin hat b ﬁre shall blaze, — What libations be poured forth what fes tival days ! While minstrels and mon with one ar ks, he t pulse of sea], Sin and ra f or the in and his own rana g p y k g G Weal.

The monarch of millions is riding the sea ; His revenge cannot sleep and his guards will not ﬂee ; No clo hall t i of r s ud s he pr de ou noble conceal, Whenthe oes are is erse that eni h rana eal f d p d b g t G W .

The mi ht in thousan s are ourin romS ain g —y d p g f p , The Scots the true Scots shall come back again; To f ar- is ant ex no more sha the st a d t ile ll y e l, But wa t the ri ht in to his own rana Weal f g k g G .

e r nd x t m lo e o Raise your h a t a e ul , y be v d, at my w rds , t n Your eyes o your ki g, and your hands to your swords i a l n or n e a The H ghlands sh l se d f th the bon et d G el, To race the la nu tials of rana Wea g g d p G l.

And is and harles and t e he ven- e e e Lou , C , h a guid d P p , A nd the king of the Spaniards shall strengthen our hope i — n re —o ne s h l eel One relig on one ki d d oul they s al f , F - e nd r ana or our heart enthroned exil a G Weal.

n w nd s rr d shame With weepi g and ailing, a o ow an , A n n i hat o it a claim d a gu sh of heart t n p y d re , The cravenEnglish churls shall all powerless kneel T r and rana Weal o the home res to ed Stuart G .

280 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ atical ; I reland s woes were only too appar ent

c e s in e e the ass r scr ed r s hi f xil , M p o ib , ba d discour

a e the ae a s a e w ere on h ru e a or g d, G l l v h ce e l d s l d. Some poet unknown put the popular feeling vigor» ously in The Expulsionof Shane Bwee

Tho h s oile of the lan where our athers hav rei ed ug p d d f e gn , h l nd o Though bound to t e p ow a the barr w, Though goaded to life we feebly sustained

- The tasks of a hard hearted Pharaoh. e arles a l com Yet wh n Ch sh l e,

A t the beat of his drum,

N o Williamite more shall a manbe.

a Whenthe Stuarts dr w nigh, - The iong pampered shall ﬂy, rin be li htene of hane B i And E g d S u .

’ ns o ha he l o a Gadelia , my b ys, s ll t nru e er the l nd, v w A nd the churls shall be sla es, as you no Our armies shall thrive under native command i e wer And ou r c ties exult in th ir po . The Mass shall be sung h l n And the bells s a l be ru g, And bards to each Tanist and Clanbe Fear and shame shall unite To drive fromour sight ve ~ r ed o res or and hane B Our hea ncu s pp s s S ui.

To the Irish mind the very virtues of Shane Bwea s macked of greed and self aggr andizement . H er e is a composite portrait

ra le onth roa One Sunday morning as I mb d e d, r w l loom and enmless So ro fu , g y p , n e a comel oun maiden I happe ed to me t. y y g , A watching the thief known as Shane Bw THE JACOBI TE ILLUSION 28 1

He is a smith and tailor—a ﬁne rinter of oo a p b ks, And I have no doubt he can write well ; He canma e wines rom e lossom f k f th b o trees, A d c nsw d n a iman dive inthe ocean.

e is the at t el h r a H best he cudg , t e fi st inthe g p, The first to thresh his corn; T r i s ri t n he fi st n p ng to ill his la d, And more s ille in w k d the la than a j udge.

h an n - W ile Sh e thought o ly of his ownwell being, the ae mourne t se t r G l d he ab nce of he old gent y, ” eas ess ouse ess ea r es ha o n F tl , h l , l de l s , who d ﬂ w “ ” awa w th h y ith e Wild Geese. The MacCart y

Mor a or Clancart w om n amw u , th t L d y h Ki g Willi o ld

a n ave e e but ared not is re err to in f i h h lp d, d , f ed ma a ar n r ny a ball d. H diman tells a touchi g sto y a ou ne of es w o s a o r nd b t o these exil , h tole b ck t I ela t s o c mr h d o or he ere o ee ne o e t e ol h me bef e died . H ’ “ it is inHardimans ownwords : A gentlemanwho owned a consider able part of the MacCarthy estates inCork was walking inhis domains one evening in

th e ser a the middle of e eighte nth century. He ob ved

u re a aren as ee at th o a a ed ﬁg , pp tly l p, e fo t of n g tree and a r ac n o n ma e e ed , pp o hi g, f u d anaged n xt nd onthe ro nd w ose au e so s ro a me the g u , h dibl b p cl i d ’ se eres afﬂ n r me ir sa he m v t ictio . Fo give , s , id , y

e is e but mournis a race the es a e gri f idl , to g to d ol t

eart and um e s r ama Mac ar one h h bl pi it. I c thy, c

e ow i u ns and all the possessor of that castl , n n r i ,

is roun s ree was ane m own th g d . Thi t pl t d by y hands and I have returned to water its r oots with my

e - w sa for n ere a e t ars. To morro I il Spai , wh I h v 282 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND long beenanexile and anoutlaw since the Revolu n amanold ma n o tio . I n a d fated pr bably for the last time to bid farewell to the place of my bir th and ’ th e house of my forefathers . Hardiman thought the re rne e e was ro a rence on of tu d xil p b bly Flo , s

o e 1 Denis, who f llow d James to France in 691 and

e in h unr in1 48 di d t at co t y 7 . ’ John O Tuomy sings the exiles inhis Lament ” o th enans one of the man son et t f r e F i , y gs s o the ” t c a me tune of he White Co k de, a lody which , by

wa r ers the w e rs rn th the y, ef to hit favo wo by e

a es of uns er at est l mes not to mi l di M t f iva ti , a li tary cockade

I ma es m rie m itter wo t k y g f, y b e,

To think how lie our nobles low, ithout sweet music ards or la s W , b y ,

Without esteem, regard or praise.

i O ! my peace of soul s ﬂed, e i d I lie outstretch d l ke one half dea , l To see our chieftains, o d and young, Thus trod by the churls of the dismal

Oh ! who canwell refrainfromtears, Who sees the hosts of a thousand years

Expelled fromthis their own greenisle, And bondsmento the base and vile ?

H han or nnMac l e sings of E og M , of Fi Coo ,

N a l on u es : i l and Brian, and c cl d

n s eart Alas ! it has pierced mine i mo t h , That Christ allowed our Crownto depart ol or To men who deﬁle His H y W d,

h the or . And scornthe Cross, the Churc , L d

28 0 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

he ave me thena uid f or m saf e and e ke in S g g e y b tter ep g, The ri htest of the ri ht whom met u onm wa B g B g , I p y y.

’ ’ The least sophisticated of O Rahilly s bearers

s could grasp the allegory. E rinwas ever the di

r sse a r o e ane Bwee th n r e t e d f i n, Sh e ogre, a d P inc

e The r nes oe b Charlie the h ro. P i c s g s y many

m h is e a al n onnl a i es na es. S e Shi l g y C e l nand p ctur the brave days to come :

Thenbards and books shall ﬂourish And gladness light the looks of all Then generous knights shall nourish Our ol en ame of O en hall g d f p . Brave menand chiefs to lead them i lo ’ Shall ﬂash the r spears inva r s van, And glorious days of freedom ro hi nne C wnS ela gal n! Co lan.

They call her Moireen ny Cullenan and she

r her t sh rwar mou ns exiled prince. Bu e looks fo d to the day when

h e Gaels shall come

r r e s And with thei victo l gion,

Lead himand me intriumph home.

As K a a een n o a an w th n an as th l y H ul h , i Ma g n r s in s s r n eninE i terprete , he s g aninpi ed ote, ev ng lish — Long they pine inweary woe the nobles of our land on L g they wander to and f ro, proscribed, ales ! and banned ; ’ Feastle ho s less al ar ess the ear the exile s ran ss, u e , t l , y b b , But their hope is in the coming !» of Kath leen ra - o n y H ulaha , THE JACOBI TE ILLUSION 285

h t en Think her not a g astly hag, too hideous o be se : s Call her not unseemly name , our matchless K athaleeng w wn a en Young she is and fair she is, and ould be cro ed que , ’ Were the king s son at home here with Kathaleen n- oulahan y H .

Sore disgrace it is to see the Arbitress of Thrones Vassal to a Saxoneenof cold and sapless bones ! i er n in wi v i oans B tt a guish wr gs our souls, th hea y s ghs and gr - We wait the young deliverer of Kathaleenny Houlahan.

r n s T w e- a c w I ela d is al o he hit b cked auburn o , h ” ” t B m s s l f n . e ri indubh Dili , The i k o the ki e The poor beast complains that she has neither land n r we m nor w t ou o ne er s ne. Bu d lling, ith u ic i , th gh sorr w u she is not s r s t l ma o f l , pi itle s : he o d co b tive ns i i o e s s nher blo d . ’ ere is e r e s rans a nof erse an has H P t i t l tio a v , d it the me sa in wha he r s s m rit of y g t t I i h say , a erit shared by many versions :

Could I but get leave to argue, n Or a sight of the crow , s achs wo ea h Sa sen I uld l t er, s h A I would leat er an old brogue, T ro ho and t r u ores s h ugh gs h o gh f t , Th rough thorns ona foggy day;

And it is so I would drive them,

My DrulminnDonnoge.

The ar w ea z the uarts b dic eye, hile it id li ed St , was blind to none of the f aults of the Hanoverians and e r W su r er s eor e the econ is th i hig ppo t . G g S d c alled Georgie the Dotard and abused in good r n The b s blow to a s o enof ou d terms . a e Alb p k 286 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

he o ow n erse is a reference the mass acre int f ll i g v , to

of encoe Gl .

d e Alas f or ol Georg y, the tool of a faction! “ ” od ! what shall do? claims in n G I he ex distractio . N ot one ray of hope fromHanover ﬂashes The lan s of m ather lie s oile and in a S d y f p d she . N or England nor Eire will yield me a shelter nd l a remem rs the low ealt r A A b be base b I d he , ’ And Denmark is kingless—I ve none to befriend me ome Dea h weave m shrou and incharit end me C t , y d, y .

r o Yes, Geo ge, and a brilliant career lies bef re na The God we have served will uplift and restore na ain hall our as h be chan inchor s Ag s M s ymns ted u , ’ And ha le ur in our elov d a rei no er us C r y, o k g, b e , sh ll g .

Popular detestationof the Whigs ﬁnds expression in a poemby Andr ew Magrath to the tune of ” s u Leather the Whigs. The ver e is f ll of vigorous abuse and is an admir able example of what the muse cando under the inspirationof hearty politi

s The orus su es s the e w ch cal di like. ch gg t d light hi a muscular Celt would have felt in admini stering a sound thrashing to some particularly odious Whig

ank m i nk m Will you come pl u , p a u , o com lank eriwi Will y u e p um, p g; W ou come lankumleather and lankum ill y p , p , ri Will you come plankum, pe wig.

The song is so signiﬁcant that it deserves to be Th n a is giveninits entirety . e bli d old go t

e r the r G o ge Thi d.

288 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

se T t who accor n u r rad n cau . huro , , di g to pop la t itio , ’ was an r s manname O F arrell set sa l t ree I i h d , i with h

s s o war was ef ea ed hree E n l sh r hip f , but d t by t g i f ig

s e of Ma Th eff rt w n ates near the I l n. e o as a vai

m he ma n t e one ; but it inﬂa ed t i gi ationof he peopl , ' n mHeﬁ ernan the bl n e ut e r a d Willia , i d po t, p th i em w T longing into a po , which as sung to he Humors of Glynn

atric m rien have ou heard h commotion 0 P k, y f d, y t e , e clanor the shoutin so a l n rth? Th g , g, l te y go e fo The troo s have come over the lu - illowe omen p b e b d , And Thurot commans inthe cam of o d p the N rth. o o r ost one f lo d Up, up t y u p , o g ry an danger Our legions must now neither falter nor fail ; ' cha romthe islan hos o s We ll se f d the ts f the tranger, Led onb the conuerin rinc f el y q g p e o the Ga .

Rothe marshals his brave -hearted forces to woken e soul of the nationto com nd Th bat a dare, While Georgy is feeble and Cumberland shaken And Parliament nashes its teeth in es air g d p . The lads with the dirks fromthe hills of the Highlands A re marchin with i roch and bou g p b a t to the ﬁeld, harlie rince harlie the in f And C , P C , k g o the islands, Will orce the usur in old Germanto e f p g yi ld.

The catastrophe is told ina contemporary ballad

e ore the ot their colors struc reat slau hter was ma e B f y g k, g g d , A n ’ d many a gallant F renchmanonThurot s deck s lay dead ; The came tumlin ownthe shrou s u onhis ec the a y b g d d , p d k y l y, While our rave rish heroes cut their ooms and r w b I b ya ds a ay. ’ And as f or onsieur Thurot as I ve heard eo le sa , M , p p y, ' He was takenu E lliot s menand urie in amsa Ba p by b d R y y.

T - o day we cansee that the Jacobite idyll was a THE JACOBI TE ILLUSION 289

o e ess o r e nnn so u s s h p l ne fromthe ve y b gi i g. Ab l ti t r a on h wo on a e re ace by t diti , t e Stuarts uld ly h v pl d one rann er is t e r s t emse es ty y by anoth . Th h I i h h lv

ere not s o receiv n the e the w l w to p e, whe d ath of Young Pretender enabled themto view the situation dia assionte ael c e ne rer to p a ly. Raftery , a G i po t a our own da sums t emu t dici l c men y, h p wi h ju a a u and brevity

ames was the worst man i He lai chains J f or hab ts. d onour ho s and mounain h ather was not worse g t s. T e f than the son Charles that left sharp scourges on Ireland. When God and the people thought it time the story to be ut own s mea —s har lame to p d he lost his head. The next J r p b — n wi e ma e him gives his daughter to Williamas womana d f , d nd oats the ris n h e wheat. a I h English and the E glish Iris , lik inthe mon o I w s at Au hrimona on a th f harvest. t a g M d y man t s ea in Of y a son of Ireland found sorrow. withou p k g all that i d ed. CHAP TER XI I

T HE DAWN I N G OF THE DAY

’ Tnnnnis anold Ji g by the name of Wood s Half ” ’ enc ame is e o a e for i was o s p e. The n mmr bl ; t W od

a ene a fir s a er the Bo ne and u r m h lfp c th t, t ft y A gh i , br ought Catholics and Protestants together in a c mmon ere s s rta e of co er o cause. Th wa a ho g pp

ins and in1 20 l am anEn s r on co , , 7 , Wil i Wood, gli h i mas er was en a a en to in t , giv p t t coin

nce an a nce The iss e was e ase pe d h lfpe . u d b d ;

a w s f r e e r s ur worse thanth t, it a coined o th xp es p pose of putting into the pockets of the ’ ’ c o a t n or e w s u es f he a . D h s Kend ll , ki g s f v it S ift

r a ar t ol an a ous ob Dr apie Letters l id b e he wh e sc d l j , ' and though a reward was ofl ered for the name of t au o an er on w as no he th r d ev y e knew ho it w , body cou o n o v e c s r n was ld be f u d t give e id ne. So t o g popular feeling that the coinage had to be called in. This occurr ence gave the Irish people the first n o s r w en n ed. rima e ou hint f their t e gth, h u it P t B l ” t n w a find er e th s u a o larm. he not d e it ti ith I ,

ro a the e e of ever re on o nr w te, th t p opl y ligi , c u t y ’ and party are alike set against Wood s halfpence a nd that their agr eement inthis city ! Dublin] has had a most unhappy inﬂuence inbringing oninti macies between Papists and Jacobites and the d no rres n ene th Whigs, who before ha co po d c wi ” hem t .

292 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

That this is no overdrawnpicture we have evi

ence romsu menas s d f ch Che terﬁeld, who was lord eu ennt in1 745 and Art ur o th li t a , h Y ung, e agricul ur s who a a r o t i t, mde tou f Ireland inthe decade of

the Amer an ev u s ic R ol tion. Che terﬁeld asserte d that The poor people inI reland are used worse

anne r e e r or s and mas ers e r th g o s by th i l d t , and th i ” de u s a e es t s . o n i p tie nd d puti of depu ie Y u g, wh le noting with satisfactionthat so much had the age improved inhumanity that eventhe poor Irish were ” a s : Th o r s feeling the beneﬁt, dd e landl rd of anI i h estate inhabited by Roman Catholics is a sort of

s e nce in ha e r de pot, who yi lds obedie w t ver conce ns ” t law ut a his o m the poor, o no b th t of will . N r us t the word poor be understood to meanonly the peas

antr o n seems a e an c a ed the incred y. Y u g to h v ti ip t ulous smile of his f ellow countrymen at the Ir ish ’ e sa r n in1 4 mans pride of birth, for h ys, w iti g 77 The lineal descendants of the old families are now

a v r the n m rk n as cot to be f ound, ll o e ki gdo , wo i g w ” tiers onthe lands which were once their o n. The Irish woolen trade had been destroyed by ' Strafl ord and William; tr ade with the colonies was ' cut ofl the English market was closed against Irish cattle ; Irish fishermenwere not allowed to vend their ca c in mu n was the one r a e t h London. S ggli g t d ’ rac c s er was the eo e s P ti ed by all classe . So bitt p pl nee a the rs nn- e ner en d th t, in1 720, Swift, fi t Si F i , couraged his fellow countrymento wear no clothing

Ga e e s v a d to bu v what they had th mel es made, n y none n he but Irish f ur iture. N ot till t American THE DAWNIN G OF THE DAY 293

Revolutionwas there any material improvement and ma er s re rse e ore e men t tt g w wo b f th y ded. When he war w the o ons s ro e the me f ith c l i t b k out, govern nt or a e th e r a o s r b d e xpo t tion f provi ions fromI eland . ' Their obj ect was to cut oﬂ supplies fr omthe Ameri ca s and to ea en o r t s a n, ch p f od fo he Briti h rmy . A cou e ear a e ow r pl of y s l t r , h eve , frightened by the progress of the revolution and anxious to placate t e s h ernm m th em r o h Iri h , t e gov e nt re oved e ba g , permitted the free export of Iris h wool and woolen

o s and ass a san one f ree a T er go d gl , nd cti d tr de. h e is grimirony inthe fact that the Ulster Presbyte ’ r ans r enout re a En an s su s i , d iv of I l nd by gl d ppre s on the en ra e s l e Amr i of wool t d , upp i d e ica with thou s an s of its es s ers d b t oldi .

Bu eve more anun s r s t n th ju t t ade re trictions, the

ena aws were the ause of ms r and P l L c i e y want . Such was the or n of h s errib e o e a it w ki g t i t l c d th t, while re u e the rea mss of the eo e s rv e d c d g t a p pl to e itud ,

m er s e the co nr as a o it i pov i h d u t y wh le, and did not

th as en an mnr I 1 80 w e beneﬁt e c d t i o ity. n 7 , henth

od a een in o era o for oursc r rs c e h d b p ti n f o e yea ,

n a m e ts r a r se Arthur You g d itt d i utte f ilu e. The ” “ a h a e r s e all the n s r and laws, s id e, h v c u h d i du t y wrested most of the property fromthe Catholics ; but the religiontriumphs ; it is eventhought to in ” c r N or as the re ress on of the a o s ease. w p i C th lic

c o th n mnr without its sinister eff e t n e ruli g i o ity. A rchbishop Synge declared in sorrow : There are too many amongst us who would rather keep the i nalms slav s su e t on Papists as they are, na o t i h bj c i , 294 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND than have themmade Protestants and ther eby en titled to the same privileges as the rest of their fel ” low s ec s ubj t . Lord Chesterfield was the first high ofi cial to r t o aw u his ecognize he f lly of the Penal L s . D ring

ero a in1 44 b scoura e the ener es of vic y lty, 7 , e di g d gi the pri est hunters and inf ormers and the condition o t o r The rs s e f he Cath lics greatly imp oved. ﬁ t t p towards the restoration of the elementary r ights of citizenship to the C atholic populationwas taken in

a was ons ere a oon at all s ows 1 771 . Th t it c id d b h how terrible was the state of things of which it was

o T a o cs we a o e o an ameli r ation. he C th li re ll w d t take as much as ﬁfty acr es of hog land and reclaim

the bo were too ee to u u on the it. If g d p b ild p , lessee was permitted to take half an acre of solid

c r a use But neede the land onwhi h to e ect ho . it d warning of the AmericanRevolutionto awakenthe English government to anamending sense of the in

s s o j u tice done the Iri h pe ple. The people had nobody to whomto look f or re

r s Th ar ame was ar s ocra c sec ari n. d e s. e p li nt i t ti , t a Three-quarters of the people had no vote and of the 800 members returned by the r emaining quarter not more thanseventy were elected by the free vote of the eo e s o s borou s crea e th . The ur u e p pl p i gh t d —by ﬁrs t James still sent representatives to Dublin mere ar s ocra nomnees on was the r s ar i t tic i . Not ly I i h p liament unre resena ve was of me a or p t ti ; it li it d uth ity. I n 1 71 9 the E nglish parliament passed the famous act the o r s , Sixth f Geo ge the First, as erting the

296 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

ar ear r w s s area. Ye by y it g e le s and le s and the

t e r s d the ar more i d c ea e , h der it became for the poor o e l E enthe mm l ns pe pl to ive. v co on a d uponwhich the people had pastured their cows free for ages were naded the an ords an eir e i v by l dl d th ag nts. The enclosure of the commonland was one of the principal causes of the Whiteboy outrages inWater

r or mer c and er r ear a fo d , C k, Li i k Tipp a y . W ing white shirt over their clothing these ministers of popular vengeance would descend by night upon a

s r c o t r — di t i t, tear d wn he newly e ected fences hence — their name of Levelers and leave warning let

ers at the do rs of r -d n an r t o w ong oi g l dlo ds. These letters were signed Joanna Meskell or Captain

r a wo the nr der w o Dwye , nd e to i t u h did not obey

m his s e n a n the and give up tol n la d. M imi g of

a e s me mes the or ure man ein s fol c ttl , o ti t t of hu b g , lowed non-compliance with the rulings of this noc ’ E u n turnal j udiciary. ge e O Curry remembered a c or a s n e se as a marc n h l o g which th y u d hi g tune.

r a r It refers to Bonapa te, refe ence which reminds us how instinctively Irishmenturnfor succor to the enemes er is erse : i of England. H e a v

I have heard news fromthe West and the South That Cork has beenburned twice by the mob -he sw d General Hoche with his gold aded or . An r h wa f or ona arte d he clea ing t e y B p . ’ isn tha O womanof the house, t t pleasant

The d a t e r Right Boys wage w r on he tith j obbe s , a ens an m I n n the r es s de g t d middle en. vai p i t nounced r e r mes re themfromthe pulpit. Te ribl c i we THE DAWNI NG OF THE DAY 297

omm e Th e o c itt d. e St el B ys conspired against the

ar s of ne a a -r e M qui Do g l, a r ck enter and a proﬂigat . The Heart of Oak Boys were aroused to actionby ’ the ordinance which exacted six days road mending ’ a ear and ere er w or s work y , wh th e as a h se, six day

the ors a s Th e w of h e l o . e gentry nither orked them selves nor contributed to the cost of the work .

ore s ns er an es s i s a me at M i i t th th e oc etie , which i d th e ermen th o o t o were e b tt t of e c ndition f he pe ple, such organizations as the Catholic Def enders and th r es an ee -of- a e r raw s e P ot t t P p D y Boys. Th i b l were fr equent and eventually they f ought a regular at a a ca e the am ar rma battle vill ge ll d Di ond, ne A gh , whenbetweentwenty and thir ty people were killed .

ran mn un ed 1 5 aime t ve The O ge e , fo d in 79 , d o dri t a o s of s er But r s men ner he C th lic out Ul t . I i h of ﬁ ' os ov c ar n i r c The n e mold r e ab e se t ia d ﬂ e enes. U it d

ou t r es ans in 1 1 I rislunen, f nded by Uls er P ot t t 79 ,

s na r m a er an a aimed at contitutio l efor . N pp T dy, t in s Belfast shopkeeper , was one of he lead g pirits,

o r and Theobald Wolfe Tone was anthe . So much headway did the United Irishmenmake

e or that the government became alarmed. To tak administer anoath ina secret society was a capital

’ d s r nci e the law was no e od ense, an thi p i pl of i v k d

r s men s e re the in against the United I i h . Ju t b fo — un res ter anof surrectionof Ninety eight, a yo g P by i

m ame mOrr was r e and con Antri , n d Willia , cha g d victed of giving the United Irishmenoath to a pri The r ums anes of vate soldier named Whitly. ci c t c t its val di his convictionthrew the gravest doub on i ty. 298 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

Onthe very day of the tr ial four of the j ury made aﬁ davits that whisky had beenintroduced into the j ury roomand the verdict agreed to under the in

ﬂuence of r nk an hrea s e da Whitl d i d t t . N xt y y confessed that his evidence was false or had been

sto m Orr as t a di rted. Three ti es w reprieved ; bu ﬁnlly word came for his execution and the sentence ' w out l s as carried . On the scaﬂ o d he exhorted hi counr men rue an a ea o er t y to be t d f ithful to ch th , ” as e he had beento th m. I nthe eyes of the people

rr was mr r m r rr me O a a ty , and Reine be O beca the wa or of he a na m emen The s or tchw d t n tio l ov t . t y

ves in oem Dr B rennanan the li a p by . d are the most notable verses :

There our murdered brother lies ; ’ Wake himnot with womans cries ; Mournthe way that manhood ought it insilen trance of thou h S t g t.

Why cut off inpalmy youth? Truth be Spoke and acted truth ” ountr men unite he crie C y , , d, ie r vio i And d d f or what ou Sa r d ed.

’ Here we watch our brother s sleep :

Watch with us, but do not weep : W atch with us through dead of night c o nin i h But expe t the mr g l g t.

The ﬁrst r ay of hope came to Ireland fr omthe — West fromthat Ameri ca which had givena home

o r The co ons s to so many anexile fr mE in. l i t did ’ not know it ; but they were ﬁghting Ireland s battle — ’ ’ a too f ree oms a e. is England s b ttle , d b ttl It

802 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D

tune to which the I rish wont to mar ch

” N o mancometh onmore bravely at a charge, o wr ote Edmund Spenser of the Irish 800 years ag . Cursed be the laws which deprive me of such sub ” ects c a me e r e the on w enhe ear j , ex l i d G o g Sec d, h h d ’ r e o The I n of the charge of Cla e s menat Font ny. dians of the Middle W est called Garryowen The ‘ ’ ” v s mus es en s ve has ec are de il ic , and Pr id t Roo e lt d l d “ ” it The ﬁnest marching tune in the world. So much for the quality of Irish soldiery and Irish mrc n m c a hi g usi .

sa o nte i r es man the Volun Di pp i d nthei hop , y of

s The mre ea st teers j oined secret societie . o id li ic hailed the outbreak of the French Revolutionas the ’ w e st W s da n of the world s freedom. The B lfa hig THE DAWNING OF THE DAY 8 03

celebrated the f all of the Bastille with processions ; banquets were held and mendr ank to the National

ssem and the ts of Man n of oma A bly Righ . O e Th s ’ oore s ear es memor es was s c M li t i u h a banquet , and to the air of SavourneenDeelish he told of the

o es a r s men are to ream d a as ! the h p th t I i h d d d an , l ’ er a a e s o r s bitt w k ning. I nthi p emMoore is I eland ’ ar the e who s n s her ear s emo ons b d, po t i g h t ti .

’ Tis one and f or ever h i h we w n g , t e l g t sa breaki g, ’ ’ i e eave s r wn r l L k H n ﬁ st da o e the s eep of the dead , WhenMan romthe slumer o a es in , f b f g awak g, Looke u war and l sse the ra ere d d p d b e d pure y it ﬁ e .

’ Ti n n h a s n s go e, a d t e gle ms it ha left of its burni g But ee en h lon ni ht of on a e and mo rnn d p t e g g b d g u i g, ’ That ar o er the kindoms of earth is returnin d k g g, ’ And ar est of all ha less E rin o er thee , d k , p , .

s me nthose rants h vie th le n But ha o ty , w o en d e b ssi g; a rth i And shame on the light r ce unwo y ts good, ’ a eath s ree in a tar li e ries car s in Who, t D k g l , k fu e s g

o o of e om a tize it in loo . The Y ung H pe Fr ed , b p d b d

v that s nn vision Thenvanished f or e er fair u y , ’ much s ite of the slavish the col heart s erision , p , d d , on be rememered ure ri ht and el sian Shall l g b , p , b g y ,

rs i arose m lost E rin onthee . As at ﬁ t t , y ,

America was free ; the French Revolution had spent itself ; but the position of Ireland r emained

es r a She as e f or the rea i er and d pe te. k d b d of l b ty

v on a o s coul o e nce they ga e her a st e. C th lic d v t o more ; but such was the constitution of parliament

a nw no a es a r n th t the boo as of av il. D p i i g of any 804 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

n f r e th Vo u s a e em cha ge o the bett r , e l nteer lli d th selves with the United Irishmen and sought the ’ m for re a s in e l o e re edy I l nd s ill armed reb l ion. W lf Tone succeeded ininducing the French government

to assist in the establishment of anIrish republic .

I n e emer 1 45 s s set sa rom res D c b , 796, hip il f B t with

so rs on ar o n for a B a . ldie bo d, b u d B ntry y

oc e was i c mma w r ou f or secon H h n o nd, ith G chy d

o ran and Wolfe Tone as adj utant general . H pe

in r e an The s e of es n was to be high I l d. I l D ti y

ree n more e and renc man ere to r ve f o ce . C lt F h w d i

t a f or m ome r s manw se name he S xonbe e the . S I i h ho has been forgotten crystallized the expectancy of “ ” h h VanVo ht the hour in t e song of T e Shan c ,

ar n The Poor Old Woman, yet another ende i g,

a for E r ur s the c mn pitiful n me in. It pict e o i g of the Fr ench and the uprising of the Gaels in their strength

Oh ! the French are onthe sea, Says the ShanV anV ocht ;

The French are onthe Sea, ha a V h Says the S n V n oc t. n Oh ! the Fre ch are in the Bay, ’ They ll be here without delay, n And the Ora ge will decay, V V t Says the Shun an och .

are to have their camp at the Curragh Kildare and

The boys will all be there, r With their pikes in good repai , a V S ys the Shan anV ocht.

806 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

h e 1 I e tell what they knew. During t e whol of 797 r

land was practic ally in a state of r ebellion. In Ulster General Lake declared martial law and at

m sa e e mtees the te pted to di rmthe p opl . Comit of United Irishmenwere arrested at Belfast ; the yeo manry was c alled out ; militia regiments were sent

r w n er omEn an . T e o er lass s a o a ov f gl d h l c e , C th lic d

a e a w an Protestant, w g d ar of outrage upon one

r eo e were n s a e i the othe . P pl hidi g gun nd pik s n

o inr a ness fo a nr r Th s r b gs e di r ge e al up ising. e pi it of the hour has been vividly imagined by John ” an ase in Th s n o th o Keeg C y e Ri i g f e Mo n. Sixty

a s had a s s th n r ye r el p ed ince e Rebellio when M .

ase r e ut its memor e we s l C y w ot ; b i s re til vivid.

Out frommany a mud-wall cabin ’ Eyes were watching thro that night ; Many a manly chest was throbbing F or he e s n t bl s ed warni g light. Murmurs passed along the valleys h ’ Like t e banshee s lonely croon, And a thousand blades were ﬂashing sin of h o A t the ri g t e mon.

si in ver There, be de the s ging ri , That dark mass of menwere seen F ar above the shining weapons ” Hung their ownbeloved Green ; “ ’ ” Death to ev ry f oe and traitor . ’ Forward ! strike the marchin tu ne, reedo And hurrah, my boys, f or f m! ’ " e s n of h moon ti the t i i t e .

e r n was a r ve The anwas e ec e Th isi g bo ti . pl d t t d the leaders were arrested ; the rebellion broke out THE DAWNING OF THE DAY 307

prematurely. Though the Rebels c aptured Ennis

c rt r t n o h and e he e d am t V ne a l. y Go y, c e a i g r Hil Two small French expeditions also ended disaster

uns and o e one was ca ure e re use ly W lf T pt d. Th y f d himthe ea a s er a e o hi o e d th of oldi nd h to k s wnlif . s - Thu ended the r ebellion of Ninety eight . It was

r c t ot n s w wo w a t agi , bu n i gloriou . If e uld know h t

t mans r s me to- w a i i e to I i h n day, e sh ll ﬁnd it nJohn ’ Kells I ngramis Who Fears to Speak of Ninety eight?

Who fears to speak of Ninety-eight? Who blushes at the name ? ’ Whencowar s moc th a riot s e d k e p t fat , Who hangs his head f or shame ? ’ He s all a knave or half a slave Who slights his country thus But a true man li o ma , ke y u, n, Will ﬁ l our lass with l y g us.

e rin the memo o the r v W d k ry f b a e, The faithful and the f ew Some ie f ar of e on the wave l b y d , m s ee in r lan So e l p I e d, too ; l are one —b ti l live A l, all g ut s l s on The fame of those who di ed ; nd true men i e ou men A , l k y , , r emwit ri Remembe th h p de.

They rose in dark and evil days To right their native land ; They kindled here a living blaze a wit s n That nothing sh ll h ta d . Alas ! that Might canvanquish Right They fell and passed away ; But true men li ou men , ke y , , A r l here to-da e p enty y. THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D

’ — Thenhere s your memory may it be For s in li t u a guid g gh , f li To cheer our strife or berty, And teach us to unite !

’ oo relan s still Through g d and ill, be I d , Though sad as theirs your fate ; d tru men be ou men An e , y , . - Like those of Ninety eight.

Ingrampassed to his r est but a little while ago. I nhis later manhood he accepted a position under the government whi ch precluded his taking that ag gressive positiononthe subj ect of Ireland which he

inhis r er ears But o ea ues e how assumed ea li y . c ll g t ll , when Irishmen marched by in procession singing ” emor o th ea he oul s an the The M y f e D d, w d t d by

ow r c and em s enn nen . wind , e e t st , li t i g i t tly Many a moving story of that time is preserved in

v the omos on of s n ers of the a s e. erse, c p iti i g w y id Of these tales none was more popular than The ” r Bo and it is s i c n t h en n s C oppy y, ignﬁ a t hat t e di g

ar in ff er en ers ons ome re erre the v y di t v i . S p f d stor y to end with pathos and appealed to their hear “ ” ers to Drop a tear f or the Croppy Boy ; others

re erre to ave him e to ano r a p f d h liv ﬁght the d y.

ere is the ers nw w c r o c a H v io ith hi h D . P. W. J y e h s beenfamiliar since childhood and which he publishes inhis Irish Peasant Songs

" ‘ I was earl ear all in h y, ly, t e spring, The rett smal i p y, l b rds beganto sing; The san so sweet and lorio s y g g u ly, And the tune the la e was sweet li r y p y d be ty.

8 1 0 THE SONG I D RE OF I RELAND

” Scots Wha Hae ; but nowhere does it r ing with a more pathetic thr ill than in The Wearing ” r Th wr was a lad w en rs he of the G een. e iter h ﬁ t ’ ” heard it sung in Boucicault s Arrah na Pogue inone of the English prov incial towns and well he remembers the involuntary tremor of sympathy that went through the audience at the line :

w r of c erc on d hen eo Those e e the days o i an , w p ’ t c nmos r elan s ple were able o forget politi al a i ity, I d s w v t e e s Inthe c an e orro s mo ed themto h d pth . h g of heart th at has come over England of late years ini r a on owar s r e an The ear n of ts el ti t d I l d, W i g th r n has a ed an imortan ar Be e G ee pl y p t p t. ’ cause it was sung inBoucicault s drama many peo ple have imagined that the clever playwr ight wrote

t But no o can a mits au ors is an i . b dy cl i th hip. It

ns re street a a orn o h so w i pi d b ll d, b f t e rro and bit

s h r i v ternes of t e people. He e s a erse which shows

e s n as i ere i r es o th o g, t w , np oc s f emergence :

met with ona arte he oo m t I B p ; t k e by he hand, a in r a S y g, how is old I el nd and how does she stand ? ’ Tis the most distressed country that ever I did see ; ’ The re hanin menand womenf or the wearin of the reen y g g g g .

And here is the immortal street song inits ﬁnal form:

’ Oh a de r d ’ , P ddy e ! an did ye hear the news that s goin round ? The shamrock is forbid by law to grow inIrish ground ! THE DAWNING OF THE DAY 81 1

’ ’ ’ N o more St atric s Da we ll ee his color cant b e seen P k y k p ; , ’ ’ F or there s a cruel law aginthe wes t in of the green! met wid Na er Tan and he too me the han I pp dy, k by d, ’ d ai ow o re An he s d, H s po r Ould I land, and how does she stand ? ’ he s the most disthressf u countr th iv t w e S l y at er ye as se n, ’ ’ ’ F or they re hangin menand womenthere for wearin of the

’ ’ A n if the color we must wear is England s cruel red, Let it remind us of the blood that Ireland has shed ; the mr rom o ha a i Thenpull sha ock f y ur t, nd throw t on

80 d, ’ ’ v r e h ! And ne e fear, twill take root ther , t ough under foot t s trod !

’ Whenlaw canst0 p the blades of grass fromgrowin as they w gro , And when the leaves in summer-time their color dare not

show, ThenI will change the color too I wear inmy caubeen; ’ ’ d wearin of th reen. But till that ay plaza God, I ll stick to e g

The year 1 800 saw the establishment of the Union

w a d r an The ro ec bet een Great Br itain n I el d. p j t was ﬁrst broached in the speech fromthe throne ; bu the ris ar men mer ec r e resena ve t I h p lia t, i p f tly p t ti

a w o ro es a str uc out the though it was nd h lly P t t nt, k “ ” e ommoner was de c a se. But t e r l u Pitt, h G at C , termined onforcing through the scheme ; so r ecourse

ns ns eera es o ern wa ha ri er . e s d to b b y P io , p g , g v

r ff r f or vo s men os ons co cas we e o e e e . t p iti , ld h d t It c ost inbribery to pass the measure and

th Sir o n arne ema e Ireland paid e bill . J h P ll d nd d that the government should go to the people onthe

s n but w s met w ref usa . T ct was que tio , a ith l he a 8 1 2 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAN D passed inface of the passionate antagonismof the

The nonwas at its nce on as Irish people. U i i pti , it “ ” is — a a er unon ve ess unen eare to day, p p i , lo l , d d,

v and te s concei ed ininiquity begot nin in.

r s men e on eir wa reamin insu r I i h w nt th y, d g of r o an r n r n a u is num ecti n d t yi g to b i g it bo t. Of th

w s o r mme rec ess r a s o r ber a R be t E t , kl , pe h p fo lha dy,

r s a r of j udged by the o dinary t nda d men, but a

ris a n His was martyr inthe cause of I h ntio ality. t n of a ure c ma es r ans rem e he ki d f il whi h k ty t t bl .

n v s to memer as s me in inthe a Irela d lo e re b , o th g n

ure of r ec the ords ch E mm t a p oph y, w with whi et

is ense e rea e th o c oncluded h def . Th y b th e l fties t

a r o smand e had een s o enb a Bru p t i ti , if th y b p k y

s o s or a ar a e er En is ou h tu , a Le nida , G ib ldi , v y gl h y t

sc En s men acce would learn themat hool . gli h pt ’ Yet as in ons at Washington as a patriot . if W h gt

co n s a a tempt to free the Amer ican lo ie h d f iled, his ’ f w v nE mme s a e a d E m ate ould ha e bee t f t , n , if met

s e o to-da e re ar e as t had ucceeded , h w uld y b g d d he

a er his c untr ear en ento his r s : f th of o y. H k th wo d

I have but one request to ask at my departure fromthis worl it is the char e of silence Let no manwrite m e i d ; g . y p ta h f or as no ma w p ; , n ho knows my motives dare now vindicate themlet not re u ice no nc r h , p j d or ig ra e aspe se them. Let t em r est in o scurit and eace m memo be le t in o livion b y p , y ry f b and my tomb remainuninscribed until other mencando j ustice to m characte y r. When my country takes her place among the nations of the ear th then d en e , , an not till th , l t my epi a t ph be written.

’ mmt s am E e ex ple nerved the P atriots and Daniel

8 1 4 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

If the tithe had beenpayable to or through the land

ord or r e to the c er man the co ers m l di ct l gy , tti ight,

inman cases a e o r c ns r e ea e fo o e a r men. y , h v h p d id t t t t

But the t es were arme out to e r w ti h f d tith jobbe s, ho

e a e r mthe enants the ut erm x ct d f o t t ost far thing.

e w ro a E dmund Wakeﬁ ld, ho w te n Account of I re

1 w ss sc ns s land in1 8 2, itne ed e e of mi ery caused by the enor emen of the he w c made e t f c t tit , hi h th ti he war of the ir es a na ur a conse uence The o th ti t l q . pe ple were being taxed out of house and home to main

a r not e o ta n e r wn. r a eﬁ all i cl gy th i M . W k eld sh testify

have seenthe avorite cow riven awa accomanied I f d y, p by the si hs the tear and imrecatio of a who amil g , s, the p ns le f y, who wer a l r we ir r e p dd ing afte , through t and d t, to take thei ’ o last aﬁ ectionate farewell f this, their only friend and bene actor at the oun ate have h ard with a uction which f , p d g . I , s n ca ri e rses e I ca s rcely desc be, de p cu r peated fromvillage to vi e va c wi n s llag , as the ca l ade proceeded. I have t es ed the rou ass the omain walls of h o ulent ownr whose g p p d t e p e , e w r s es numrous herds e e crapping the mo t luxuri ant pastur , while he was secure fromany demand f or the tithe of their

I nLeinster and Munster the bitterness intensiﬁed

s a of s c on re t until a veritable t te inurre ti p vailed, wi h armed encounters betweenpeople and police and loss — of e the same me suc was the erverse lif . At ti h p — ness of the whole sys tem hundreds of Protestant

a cler gymen were reduced well nigh to begg ry. ’ a er the eo e s oe encoura e the Con R ft y, p pl p t, g d naught mento stand ﬁrmand support their broth ers of uns er e ma e a oemw c is sun to M t . H d p , hi h g THE DAWN ING OF THE DAY 31 5

the une of the s da Ple an Dr o l s t Cui d . D ug a Hyde gives us the English of it inhis R eligious Songs ” of Connaucht r ar . He e e the most vivid stanzas

’ There s a ﬁ re afoot inthe ns ter ro Mu p vinces, ’ ” I t s ownwith h i e and t e n a d t e t th s h re ts we p y, Whenwe are hin her and unster c en be d M hall ges, e a Th gu rds of England must fall away. Thou h raneme liv s a g O g ngrudge our e , the f natics, ’ We ll ma e them u we acce their a e k b dge ; pt ch ll nges, ’ ve d We ll ha j ury an j udge inthe courts f or the Catholics, And Enlan come ownto the uis da Ple g d d C .

’ WhenE aster arrives we ll hav mirt and revelr e h y, E atin and rinin and s ort and la g d k g p p y, n s n olia Beautiful flowers a d tree a d f ge, ew on r s hro h he live- on da D the g a s t ug t l g y. ’ We set inamaze the all and the Sassenach ll G , i h will fi ac a n Throng ng the ways, t ey all y b k gai , sh b o the halls of the fi rmament Our fires all laze t ,

Kindling the chorus of Cuis da Ple.

There are many ﬁne menat this moment a-pining FromEnnis to or and the townof oscrea C k R , And many a Whiteboy interror a-dying reets of il enn to ant Ba Fromthe st K k y B ry y. ’ ’ But there s change onthe cards and we ll now take a hand

again, Our trumps show large ; let us play themmanfully ; when e char them romBlrr into W ter or Boys, y ge f a f d, the da l I t is I who shall lilt you Cuis P e.

Up thenand come inthe might of your thousands, Stand onthe hills with your weapons to slay an God is around us and inour comp y, f heir mi ht this d Be not afraid o t g ay. h ar s r s Our hand is victorious, t eir c d a e valueles , ’ l o s we ll smash the Sa nac Ou r victory g ori u , sse hs, “ ” chor s lon li e to a ter N ow drink ye in u , g f R f y, or it i he who coul sin ou the uis , Ple F s d g y C d . 8 1 6 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

l s 1 8 th as ol s e But At a t, in 88 , e tithe w ab i h d. the penury of generations is not to be remedied by

o t ro s oo the mere erasing f an ac f mthe tatute b k.

s sa e of h r a nd w en The Ireland wa pp d e vit lity a , h

t o had o Hunger came in 1 845 and 6, he pe ple n “ w n o e sa are oil po er to ﬁght it . A millio pe pl di ppe d the face of the earth and the horr or of that awful time has not passed out of the minds of Irishmen

en et s n is sun w c es us a r l of ev y . A o g g hi h giv th i l w o n r u w enme w ered the hat pe ple we t th o gh, h n ith in

a s e wa a s The ﬁelds nd the fever w pt a y whole vill ge . ” r name of it is Over He e. The song has been adapted from the original by Ar thur Perceval Gr aves

Oh th raties the are smll , e p y a . v O er here, over here ! Oh the raties the are small , p y . Over here ! Oh the raties the ar sm , p y e all. A nd we di hem h a g t int e f ll. And we ate hemcoat and ll t , s a .

e r . Full of f a , full of fear

The s n er w u d a n e r i g o l f i th y we e geese,

F r liv d di o they e an e at peace, f Till the hour o their decease, ’ ’ Atin corn, atin corn.

And he concludes

’ Oh we re own , d into the dust, B ut the God in W homw e trust,

Will et ive us m y g cru b f or crust,

Over here, over here !

’ One of Ireland s bitterest grievances against Eng

31 8 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

he r c re t to u n. o so c t s h Co k hild n D bli S li i ou , ow ever e e th mo rs or the o , w r e the f spiritual welfare f

r on a e m thei little es , th t th y got the selves hired as nurses inthe same ns u ns The c ren em i tit tio . hild th se ves been amed w a to ex e and w en on l w h t p ct , h , ' r a s and ast a s mea bro h was oﬁ ered em F id y f d y , t t th , they would not drink it and it had to be forced down

e r roa s r am e au or D . the h of th i th t . C pb ll , t A ” i so ca ur in the ou of re an o Ph lo phi l To S th I l d, h ' serves that A Papist would suﬁ er any loss except that of his child rather thansend it to one of these ” sc o s —meann the ar er c o s c ho l i g Ch t s ho l . Su h, “ he r emr s h e e a k , is t e bigotry of this delud d p ople that nothing but absolute want canprevail onthem ' to suﬁ er e r rento r e e e ca on th i child c iv anedu ti which, ” as e ne ve en an ers e r sa va on th y co c i , d g th i l ti .

r n inthe er r nc e of e r ns u W o g v y p i ipl th i i tit tion, these schools degenerated until they reached a state of a mos ncre e re c edness omas ar l t i dibl w t h . Th How d,

a ro s ma e a r of s the prisonphil nth pi t, d tou vi itation and declar ed that their conditionwas So deplor able as to disgrace Protestantismand to encour age ” ar a en in Popery rather than the contrary. P li m t stituted an inquiry and the revelations bore out ’ But no reme a measures er e Howar d s r eport . di l w a o te F or we n a cenur the sc ools of the d p d. ll igh t y h - great mass of the Irish people were the hedge rows

n t-of—the—wa aces a ove s i ou . nd glens, barns and h l y pl

t es re for earnn a un Yet so great was he d i l i g th t,

c oo mas er the c der the directionof the hedge s h l t , hil dr r iments but o en mes ennot only learned the ud , ft ti THE DAWN ING OF THE DAY 31 9

acquired a knowledge of the classic languages that

t s e r n in would put many a collegian o ham. W iti g

1 845 r st er n erson a co c man ves us , Ch i oph A d , S t h , gi a glimpse into the state of things which prevailed as late as the third and fourth decades of the last cen tury

I may assure the reader that such has beenthe eagerness of the Irish to obtaineducationthat childrenhave beenknown to a uir the rst e ements of rea in rit d i metic cq e ﬁ l d g, w ing an ar th wi a wi ho n wi t l e d in eed thout book, t ut a pe , thou a s at . An d e a f m in a n h rave r The th pl ce o eet g w s o ot er than a g ya d. on st i i i e e inste of l g ﬁ at ones, with the r nscript ons, w re us d ad whil bi h nd o e rve f or books, e a t of c alk a the stones t g ther se d

e he w en on venin sc la have all the r st. T n e canm ti e g ho rs, who n av te nli ht f or beene de oring li rally to go onby help of moo g , wan of a can le and v mn and women articularl t d , e en e , p y within es ri a a i o s r th e f ew years, acqui ng an bility to re d ns ho t a erio tha ntil h acts f case r examine o p d t, u t e f o the a e d r wit nessed h s a n ht e mincre i l , t e t teme t mig s e d b e.

The da of e er n m e 1 y b tt thi gs ca e with the y ar 1 83 ,

enthe at ona c oo s ere s s e r wh N i l S h l w e tabli hed . Th i basic pr inciple was state-aided educationin secular

su ects The v n f o bj . gi i g o religious instructi n was

le to the r es or the mns er ﬁrs the eo ft p i t i i t . At t p

le shran romthe new sch o s e r s e p k f o l . Th y fea ed om ’ e ce to s ea awa he r a d vi t l y t i f ith. A poemof Raftery s

ves a oo ea of the r i — gi g d id popula att tude, the ’ rans nis Dr s t latio . Hyde :

heard if it be true a rumor stran d ne I , , ge an w, That they meanto plant schools ineach corner ; The lanis f or our aith e p sc , to st al away our faith, And to trainu the s and s p py uborner . 320 THE SONG LORE OF IRELAND

’ r ler s d Ou c gy word is good, Oh ! seek no other foo , ’ Our church has God s ownarmround her, u if e will emar onthis vessel in e ar B t, y b k th d k, I t shall turninthe sea and founder.

o rs o a e h n of Of c u e, the authorities w uld h v not i g

a r r e rc s o Whatele is red e P trick o B idg t. A hbi h p y c it d ow n ra n c with the authorship of the foll i g quat i , whi h Irish scholars were invited to learn:

I thank the goodness and the grace Which onmy birth have smiled And made me inthese Christiandays n s A little E gli h child.

s n e r m rf e s th N a But notwith tandi g th i i pe ction, e tio l o w re oon As me oes na Sch ols ere a g at b . ti g on and Gaelic becomes as essential a part of their

ea as s om l e e en- an e t ching Engli h, s ething ik v h d d

us e av on j tic will h e beend e.

ere we res our case e a e ear th H will t . W h v h d e story of Ireland inmelody or ver se fromthe vague

e nnn s o n to mo ern mes We a e seen b gi i g d w d ti . h v ’ every attempt to destroy Ireland s national sense end i r r as o nfailu e. E inh assimilated and c nverted

' her ownuse the es the r an o oii to b t that st ger c uld er , and that without losing the personality which is her c arm h . Thomas Davis dreamed of a time when I rishmen would all work together for the common oo non g d, e tr ying to get anunfai r advantage over the ot er eac h , h extending to each the fullest liberty of - se e ress on ether in re n art or c om lf xp i , wh ligio , m - erce. To day Irishmen have come nearer to a

326 INDEX

es eare an 1 77 . Dances, Irish, in Shak p , F d, ’ Father Fl nn 1 29 1 84. O y , .

Dawnin of the Da 88 . Ferriter ierce 241 . g y, , P , er uson Sir Samu l 1 71 l 98 . F e 224. Dearborghil , 1 g , , , nn D li 297 . Fia a 1 84. efenders. Catho c, , D Finn Mac ool 1 1 1 eirdre, 1 69. C . , 85. nv r e i 258 . F io a ra 1 55 . D rry, S ege of , , n ament ion ala Dir e ee F nu 1 87 . ge. S e K , L , , n ire W orshi 1 4 62 e nta io . F 5 1 e ame t . S L p, , i v r 28 B altiorum ovemer E v D sco ere s, 2 . , N b e,

Do You Remember that Samhain.

itz erald arrett 201 . Night ? 93. F g , G ,

D n illiam 229 Fli ht of the E arls The 21 1 . renan, Dr . W , , g , , Mr a n 2 Floo . r t a 62 79. 98 . d, G t . ,

B rimin h Dilis 285 . Flotow 62. dub , , ont no 239 to e 264. Drogheda, Taking of , F y, ’ 240 . F or Eire I d not Tell Her ’ Dro he s March 1 86. Name 64. g dy , , rin 1 07 or N ot Du ﬁ c , Lady, . F get the Field, 256.

ai 1 . arr owen 1 27 Et n, 14 G y , , 802. n ileen roo 75 8. auntr 1 26 E A , , 8 G ee, 8, . See Dances. i ath rin n Ell Tha 40. e Sou h 1 8 ott, dy, G g d, T e, 9. E mer 1 7 eminiani 2 25 7 . 4 , G , , . n n ol r e E mi ra t s 1 1 07 G t ee 8 . e n So 05 . S ame g g , , , L t, La Emm o 7 8 mentation n et, R bert, 1 4, 12. , Kee . n ram mo no 62 269 e G achree 1 98 . E a C c, , . Se ,

T ast ose. raves rth r he L R G , A u Perceval, 64,

E rin the Tear and the Smile 99 1 24. , , in Thine E 88 rania W aile 22 27 ye, . G , 3, 8 . E xecution ns Gre o iar music 6 So g , 1 03. g , 4 , 66, 70, l sa;31 air ills o o an re or a 1 07 F H f H ly Irel d, G g y, L dy, . The 1 05 224 roves of larne —, , . G B y, airies. and th T de Th t F e uaths e Las Rose. ananu 1 88 —a D , , nd Chris tianit 1 3 —S ro e or armon 80 y, 9, t k H y, , 81 . lance 1 58 —a nd usic ar 1 0 20 21 G , , , H , , , , 35, 37, 42, —M p 8 1 4s l 8 l l ~ 241 . 1 , seq. , 8, u la

les 1 50. See also Ma ar ers 1 0. See Hem o b , y H p , ps n, ’ E ve Novemer E ve Sam Elliott rid et h , b , , B g O Ca an, ’ hain anshee Fair Mis or all Cahan o , B , y R y d O , Ly ns , ’ tress Fionnuala Fion ane Connellan Dal , , K , , O y, ’ varra Fan i r Ferriter O Reill Ma e . , d. b, M d , , y E tain P uc ona h in son atherine T n , k, O g , H k , K y ’ onna e 1 08 C s . l W ll, Hy B rasil, Ma ell an n O e How ear to e d Tir an . D m the our 42 y M , g H , ,

Fair istress 1 8 as 1 61 90 1 25 . y M , , , , 1 . amine 203 1 3 6. r F , , Hy B asil. 1 40. e r. as 41 90 98 ittle Red r e Hyd , D Dougl , , , , L La k. Th , 62.

94 81 4. ocha er N o ore 88 259. . L b M , , n an Lo g D ce, 134.

re I nk 1 82. ulla ies 95 to 98 F 5 If All the Sea We . L b , ; airy, 1 0. ’ n arrie on uimneac I m oi to be h 60 73. G g M d L , , 8 uttrel olone 2 Sunday, 5 . L l, C l, 58 . ’ I m i in Y ou a Fon Fare ons rnelius 56 B dd g d Ly , Co , .

well, 1 07 . n in or Ma I chi u 234. 1 55 q , L d, b, . nsurrection of 1 641 282 onn n I , . Mac D ell, Sha e Claragh, n ra ohn m ells 307 . 24 276 1 I g , J K , , , 29 . n ove 1 ce a Bo 5 . acha 1 78 . I O L d y, M , ish was that DimMac ia 1 I W I by L g, 92. 64 a Lake, 1 . M c Marcuis, 74. ’ W ish the She her P Mac W ar I p d s et d, Owen Roe, 21 8. ‘ Was ine 85 Mac Namara Dono h Ro M , . , ug e,

’ i ns. e lara h a e 1 7 aco te o e s ev 6. J b S g S C g M , amen han rania M ir L t, S e Bul, G gu e, Hu a ra n Wal e. t d w l h A re 288 . M g , ,

i 127 to 81 . anannan Ma ir 1 7 J 1 c L 5 . g, M ,

o ce Dr . atrick W . 51 70 an an ames la nc J y , P , , , M g , J C re e, 206, 4 86 1 00 1 01 m 1 209 1 8 , , , , s, 05. , 2 8, 28 4.

1 25 308. arches 1 27 247 302 , M , , , . arria e ustoms 94 95 M g C , , . ne clan 89 Ma E ve 45 1 Ka , A d, . y , 1 , 62.

athaleen n oulah n 284. McGrath ler 21 K y H a , , Mi , 2 . n een 1 00 1 01 . eeti of the Waters K , , M g , The,

K ickham harles 1 08. 48 64. , C , , nn ta f e o ies o il e S tute o 3 195. l rmof 2 K k y, , 5 , M d , F , 7 to 79. en elssohn 2 M d , 6 . mn i er 1 a e t 1 02. 41 . L , M d , amentation f o u hrim i summer E v r 1 45 62. L . A g , M d e, , 1 5 il in n 2 6 f or ael 1 81 for o s 1 25. ; C , ; M k g S g , rian or 1 92 f or Lim oll M A l in u c 88 224. B B , ; M y p , , ’ eric 259 f or sullivan on a Tues a 1 k, ; O M d y, d y, 58 . ear 266 f or the E xile oore Thomas 63 69 78 B , ; d M , , , , 1 , rl 21 3 hane l r 1 74 E a s, ; S C a , 1 91 , 1 97, 259, ’ 276 i of s 801 802. agh s, ; D rge O . Mo e i n 184. ll 140. s a , M , s 2 5 8 1 8 Mu a hm t l r i m 29 29 . as 0 Land o d , , , g . Massacre of , 2 1 . ’ ast ose The 68 77. ove s anA r utus 51 64 L R , , , My b , , , W i 6 ;é Le ather the h 28 .

r 1 74. M r Let E rinRemem , oytu a, Battle of the North

e rs 296. Lev lle .

Lilliburiero, 252. imeric Sie f 257 Lam N ed of the L k. ge o , ; Hill. 62, 269. entation f or 59 Tr a Ninet Ei ht 806 81 1 , 2 ; e ty y g , to . N or of m o 258 . a e e f , th A b r Hair, 88. N o urrener Little Black Rose, The, 203. S d , 253. 328 INDEX

ovem N er Eve, 1 62. Persecution 8 b , 3 , 21 8, 220, 238, u en N t, Geral , 1 05. 34 23 27 g d 2 , 5, 0, 298, 8 1 8. Petrie eor e 4 5 , G g , 7 to 50, 1 , 33 o reathe N ot is Name 1 74 B H , . ’ rish 81 m , ’ 1 02, 264. O Bruder Davi 257 , d, , 259. ’ gan Jn ta o s. See onﬁ scati on O Cahan rid e t C . , B g , 42. ’ lanxt 88 ' O Cahan or da y , R y l, 37. ’ glanxt nor n y , 40’ O Connell, Da iel, 31 8 . ’ IOW WhlsuCS 1 1 9 to 1 1 4 O Connellan William 9 P , . , , 2 4 ’ P ra er of the easantr 1 09 O Curr E u ene 47 y P y, . y, g , , 88, 90. l l g “ 967‘ res terians 997 949 99 if P by , , , a ’ P rot tant scen anc 7 O Donnell Red A d y, 2 0, , Hu h, 1 96, g ggl ’ rotestant o s 955 O Donnell ur 212 2 P B y , , R y, 1 5. ’ P 0 01 1 53 1 54. O Dono hue Mistress 5 , g , , Song

of , 1 65. ’ uern T nes 1 u 1 8. See Ceir O Dw er of the len Shane Q , y G , , n uit. 248. ’ n O G ive 85. ’ Ra te 289 318 19 O Ha aii f y, , , 8 . g . John, 391 , r ’ Ramihes 264 O Husse 909 , . y, . ’ a arees 269 O Malle a R p , . y, Gr ce, p ati s on monaster f A rranmor R b , y o , 46. O e, 69. ’ Red ranh O Mo e o B c , 1 69. r , R ry, ’ Red F ox The 74 m. O N eill u h 904 91 . . . , H g , , 9, 91 5 . ’ eel 1 31 1 74 O N eill n R , , s helim999. , P , e ormation 201 O N eill wen R f , , 204, 21 8. , O R oe 1 09’ 933» Remember the Glories of B rian ’ th r ave 1 1 O N i e B , 9 : 994 e ll, Shane, 1 98 to 900. 3 9 mmf mmFin“ 1 0 s or s , The. 89. 1 36 1 47 1 55 . i ht o s 296 R g B y , . i isin of the n i i R g oon, y E n’ M ’ Rinl ted outh Of m 8R:fll Milgs 25 g Y y I sOVC, § fl t 9. gg O w‘ ‘m . m u 997“ ’ oisin u h 903 905 7 ssian 1 45 1 R d b , , , 90 . O , , 84. ’ B ovi l'l ac Of O Tuom ohn 978 s J k All Trades, y, J , , 281 . Th 12 ver r e, 5’ O He e, 8 1 6. O m a the fl ex in g n t. Gall mo aster of 45. ga m , y , ’ g1! I I v 9 J0 tl S E e 1 69. 0 V’ m “ ” ”nt ,

St. atric 1 39 1 62 Qﬁ p lgisfﬁf, 332 P k, , . ’ St. P atrick s Da 1 2 y, 7, 264. ’ St. atric s ur at P k P g ory, 1 64, Paisteen Fionn 84 85 , , . 227. arliam ent, rish 294 801 alis P I , , , S bury, John of , 8. 8 1 1 . Salve Sanots a , P rens, 66 . arsons Sir William 2 , 28 . Samhain P , , 1 45 , 1 62. ee of Da o s 297 . Sarsfiel a c P p y B y , d, P tri k, 256, 257, enal aws 270 to 274 P L , , 298. 262, 263.