below is a short history of Shane Crossagh taken from an article on the area of Limavady just out side Derry and I think the song was in the Derry Journal books called "come all ye's" printed around 1910 sadly some one borrowed my copies and never returned them, the lyrics below are from Karl Clark Colón.

"gin the gallows work" is "give the gallows work" its the way we talk
up here.

Jim.

The Notorious Highwayman, - Shane Crossagh O' Mullan

Shane "Crossagh O Mullan" was a reparee who roamed the highways of Derry and Tyrone. Also known as John O'Mullan, his father was a small farmer from Faughanvale who had been evicted from his Farm for non-payment of rent (A Common practice during the late 1600's)

The name "Crossagh" means "Pock-Marked" probably referring to an ancestor who was blemished, as Shane himself had no such problem and was considered handsome and dashing by the local female population. His father, Donal and brothers were also called Crossagh and this, as is the practice in Dungiven, may have been used as a "nickname" to differentiate families with a similar surname thus distinguishing his family from other O'Mullans.

After a clash with Soldiers at the old farmstead Shane went on "the run" and for many years evaded capture. The Robin Hood equivalent for Northern Ireland, he was an honourable man who usually robbed the rich and gave part of his booty to the poor. Shane was reputed to have killed only one other man - a fellow reparee who had killed one of the landlords under Shane's protection.

The Glenshane Pass is named after him – the Glen of Shane. Stories and songs of his exploits are numerous but one of the most famous was when he ambushed General Napier and his Troops on a narrow bridge near Feeny. After taking their arms and valuables, he made them strip to their underwear and walk the rest of the way to Derry. The bridge is still called the General's Bridge. On another occasion he fled through the Ness Wood to avoid capture and jumped from a waterfall on Burntollet River breaking a leg in the process but still managing to escape.

The falls are called Shane's Leap after this event. Shane Crossagh was eventually captured after he had been betrayed by a weaver from the Dungiven area when Shane called to collect his levy of 10p. He was arrested and taken with his sons to Derry Gaol.

Although offered a reprieve by Henry Carey, whose life Shane had saved years earlier, he could or would not accept the offer which applied only to himself and not to his sons (Mr Carey Lived in DUNGIVEN CASTLE and had the right to reprieve only one criminal per year). Shane Crossagh O'Mullan was hanged with his sons in the Diamond in Derry in 1722 when he was in his mid fifties. Their bodies are buried in Banagher Old Church graveyard.


SHANE CROSSAGH

    It's up the heathery mountains and down the rocky glen
    Squire Staples has gone hunting Shane Crossagh and his men
    With forty mounted yeomen that galloped in a stream
    They swear they'll 'gin the gallows' work when they come back again.

    Shane Crossagh was a plough boy that ploughed in Ballynascreen
    But now he is an outlaw for the wearing of the green
    'Twas in the Sperrin Mountains far, far from Ballynascreen
    They set the bloodhounds on his track
    For the wearing of the green.

    Then up spoke Torrens the farmer -- "We have him now, I know
    The bloodhounds are upon his track-- his back to the River Roe.
    The man he must be weary, a long chase it has been,
    For three long days and fasting since he left Ballynascreen."

    Shane Crossagh had a wolf dog that ne'er parted him.
    And as the hounds they all ran round, he pulled them limb from limb.
    'Tis then up spoke the outlaw, as the tears began to flow
    "My gallant hound, we'll both go free if we can leap the Roe."

    Then up the hound he gave a bounce -- "Crossagh, now I know!"
    And with a shout they both jumped out and leaped the River Roe.
    "Mark me Squire Staples, if you come back again,
    You well may wish the River Roe 'tween Crossagh and his men."

    The Feeny Bridge was broken, and on a search was seen,
    For them a fearful token, a bunch of holly green.
    'Tis then cried Squire Staples, "Crossagh, let me live,
    And for your hounds a thousand pounds in yellow gold I'll give."

    'Tis bound is Squire Staples -- you'll find him in the glen.
    His forty yeoman taken by seven gallant men.
    By seven gallant outlaws -- seven gallant men.
    And with despair they tore their hair, and Shane ran free again.