Hi,

This is Kathleen Behan's "My Bonny Brown Boy" Tocher: Tales, Songs, Tradition - Issue 43 - Page 16, 1991. I'm not sure why this isn't at School of Scottish Studies unless it's cause it is Irish. This is as much as I could get from Google Books. Is there more? A recording? Apparently Kathleen was born on September 18 1889, in 49 Capel Street, Dublin and was the mother of Brendan Francis Behan, 1923 - 1964.

"My Bonny Brown Boy." Recorded by Hamish Henderson from Mrs. Kathleen Behan, Crumlin, Dublin, dated 1956. A variation of the last stanza was sung during the interview with Henderson (see footnote).

"Where have you been to, my bonny brown boy?
Where have you been to, my heart's love and joy?"
"To the fair o Ballytober, Mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm tired to the heart and I long to lie down."

"What's for your dinner, my bonny brown boy?
What's for your dinner, my heart's love and joy?
"Cabbage and thump, Mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm tired to the heart and I long to lie down."

"What's for your father, my bonny brown boy?
What's for your father, my heart's love and joy?
A coach and six horses, Mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm tired to the heart and I long to lie down."

"What's for your children, my bonny brown boy?
What's for your children, my heart's love and joy?
Good school and education, Mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm tired to the heart and I long to lie down."

"Now, where will we bury you, my bonny brown boy[1]?
Where will we bury you, my heart's love and joy
Put a stone at me head, and a stone at me feet,
And place me in Glasnevin for to take a sleep.
_____________

1. "And where will we bury you, my bonny brown boy?
Where will we bury you, my heart's love and joy
Put a stone at me head, and a stone at me feet,
And place me on the hill o Slane for to take a sleep.

HH: Tell me, Kathleen, when did you first hear that song?
KB: Oh, whin I was a child.
HH: And who sang it?
KB: My own mother.
HH: Did she? Where was she from?
KB: County Meath.
HH: And what was the place that she heard it first sung at?
KB: Slane, in County Meath, Slane.
HH: Did your mother ever sing a different ending?
KB: Oh yes [sings variation of last stanza- see above]
* * * *

Richie