Hello mudcats,

As part of a song collecting project with the newly formed Song Collectors Collective, I recently came across a song about Lord Courtown as sung by a settled Traveller called Willy O'Connor from New Ross County Wexford, in the south east of Ireland. He doesn't recall where he got the words from and I would be very grateful for any further info on the song.

The Earls of Courtown owned a lot of land in the part of North Wexford I'm originally from and the fifth earl did a lot of famine relief work including commissioning the building of a canal and harbour in courtown to give employment to locals.

Here is the recording of Willy singing the song, which he did at home on his tape recorder in the 80s or thereabouts: Click here

The lyrics as I have them are below.

I look forward to any pointers that can be given!

James McDonald
London


Lord Courtown

Oh how happy our countrymen when seasons do come on,
To hear the lark and linnet melodiously sing songs.
Likewise the thrush in every bush, its melting notes do ring
To welcome home Lord Courtown in the day approaching spring.

The trees grow tall and handsome, the leaves with honey droop
And underneath the swan does swim with his long neck and stoops.
Likewise the common angler with his long line and hook
To convey the trout and salmon out of the charming brook.

This lord he built a castle at the rising of yon hill.
The works of it were marvelled on with artifice and skill.
There's no sort of stroke work with it could e'er be equalised
It's embellished with green ivy that never fades or dies.

This lord he sank a river more plainly to be seen,
He sank it to a certain depth - full fifteen feet run clean.
The straits of Gibraltar could ne'er so rapid roar
The straits of Ounavarra joins to the Courtown shore.

One day I was a-musing on this sweet Courtown bank,
The sun shone bright and clearly where kind Neptune played some prank
Till at length I spied the most charming maid most charming to be seen,
In her figure she came bidding down; her measure maids wore green.

There was Flora at the helm, Aurora to the stern
All her gallant fine seamen her course for to steer on.
I being so much delighted in her sails all o'er
I thought myself in paradise down by the Courtown shore.

I had been in New Zealand and likewise in Peru
And many other ancient places my eyes have took a view
But such places as Courtown my eyes did ne'er behold
And it far ourshines proud Mexico where her banks are lined with gold.

_____________Thread title changed for clarity. MudElf__________________