The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #3058 Message #14540
Posted By: Philippa at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Isle of Skye
12-Oct-97 - 03:25 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier
Subject: RE: Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier
I concur with Alsion. There is a line in 'Siul A Ruin' (Shule Aroon): "Ach cuireadh air Ri Sheamais ruaig" - King James was put to flight. There are versions of this song completely in Irish Gaelic, completely in English, and with a mixture of the two. One version 'Buttermilk Hill' came from a battle in the American Civil War, I think (my mmory and the century could be wrong, the American War of Independence?/ I think I heard it sung by Ronnie Gilbert, once of the Weavers?) and I believe refers to someplace in Pennsylvania