Lyr Req: songs by P. J. McCall

Subject: CALLING MARTI N RYAN
From: GUEST,Ma Flannery
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 05:00 PM

Martin , I found some very profound words from you recently , herein regarding " WEXFORD FISHING SONG " I have a particular ethnic & exiled (,here in Offaly, ) interest in P J McCall & would like to further explore, what other gems of knowledge you might have ,on the subject of Rathangan , Co Wexford & P. J. memorabilia, books etc., for example
       "Twas down in Macreddin at Owen Doyles weddin ,
         The boys got the pair of us us out for a reel ,
       Says I boys excuse me , says she dont refuse me ,
       O,il play nice & aisy says Larry O Neill ,
       So up & down skippin ,around & round trippin,
       Herself & meself on the back of a dooer,
         Till Molly God blesser,
         Fell over the dresser ,
          And I tumbled over a child on the flooer"   etc, etc,
      I used to do this many years ago to" Haste to the Wedding " melody with the Flannery Ranters lads & got the words from a PJ song book .There were the words to "Thatter Jack Walsh & The Yellow Tinker in that book too, and I later swapped the PJ book with Phil Callery for an original compilitation of the the New Lost City Ramblers song book,around 1975, which I happily still have , all the more precious now that Mike Seeger is about to cross the great divide-- ochon , ochon.Do you know what PJ book that was ?As far as i can recall it was compiled by a Rev Father Ransome from the Augstinian Order then located at Grantstown Priory , Danescastle , near Rathangan , Co Wexford
Didnt intend to be so verbose this August Saty night ,thanks for bearing with me
Take care , from ,Old-timer Louis.

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN
From: weerover
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 05:31 PM

I recently spent a couple of weeks in Wexford and hazily remember seeing something which may have been this song in a book in a second-hand book and antique shop in Wexford town. The book was titled "Songs of the Wexford Coast" and I was toying with buying it but it was the nlast day of an expensive fortnight and at 32 Euros I decided against it. I think the editor may well have been a Rev. something.

wr

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN
From: mg
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 05:44 PM

Greetings to County Offaly. If you know any Deverys there could you please contact me...genealogy questions...mg

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 06:26 PM

The only Ransome book I'm aware of is indeed Songs of the Wexford Coast - and I reckon 32 Euro wasn't a bad price even if it was the 1975 reprint!

Other good collections of Wexford songs are Wexford Ballads and More Wexford Ballads, both by Paddy Berry. Both are out of print, as far as I know - but the bould MARINER, who frequents Mudcat and is native of those parts, may be able to source a copy if you're interested!

I have at least one old collection of PJ McCall's verse/songs somewhere - I'll dig it up later. It was interesting that his work has begun to appear online - it may be worth a more systematic hunt to find them there.

Regards
p.s. I'm expecting to meet Phil Callery at Feakle next week - haven't been talking to him for a long time.
p.p.s. If I remember correctly, someone is working on a (Master's?) thesis on McCall's work, at UL.

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 09:25 AM

MaFlannery

Found da book - Selected Ballads and Poems by P J McCall, published in 1955 by the '98 Commemoration Association. The songs you mention are there - with the possible exception of "The Yellow Tinker", as far as I can see.

Regards

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: GUEST,Ma Flannery.
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 01:23 PM

Thanks for that Martin & weerover.I will sit it out to see if i can get an old copy.Ask Phil when you see him does he still have it and say hello to him for me.There was also a great writer/ humorist from that region called Jack McCutcheon,Wellingtonbridge, now long departed."Where the Coaragh River Flows" was one of his published compilations .Have you any of his stuff ?Paddy Berry would remember him well i guess. Its worth having .By the way have you any ideas about who" The Maid of Ballygow " was?Her name I mean
As for Deverys in Offaly mg ,they are like Staffords in Wexford.If you threw a sliotar over your shoulder at any assemblage of people youd be sure to hit one of them..There is a particular concentration of that family name in an Offaly hinterland called Pullagh .Located in the Middle of the Bog of Allen ,Pullagh was accessible only by canal or 4x4 shanksmare up to the late 1950s.It is now quite a cosmopolitan place
Thanks to all,
Ma Flannery.

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 02:47 PM

Ma Flannery

Oddly enough - I live in a place called Pollagh - in Galway. No shortage of them - whatever the spelling!

Regards

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 02:53 PM

BTW

Paddy Berry's first book, Wexford Ballads not only has several of Jack McCutcheon's songs - it has a photograph of him, to boot!

Regards
p.s. I've just registered the "Louis" at the foot of your first post. We've met once or twice over the years, alright! Best Wishes.

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: Big Tim
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 03:16 PM

'Irish Ballads and Songs of the Sea', edited by James N. Healy, 1967, is also a useful little book (but not for 'Wexford Fishing song').

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MARINER
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 04:50 PM

Hi Louis, I have "Songs of the Wexford Coast " here in front of me right now.No sign of a Wexford Fishing Song,but there is The Faythe Fishing Craft.Which has nothing to do with McCall. Seems like a good song though. Hope you're keeping well.As Martin suggested I may be able to get my hands on Paddy Berry's books,if you want 'em.
Here's to the days in the Goal Bar and the Harbour View Hotel.Jacko in Wexford.
Martin ,will keep my eye out for you in Feakle.

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MARINER
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 05:01 PM

Forgot to mention that the man who is working on the Master's thesis on the work of McCall is a friend of mine and has a whole slew of unpublished or rarely known works of McCall.Or so I'm told.

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 05:04 PM

Re The Maid from Ballygow, Paddy Berry says:

The Maid was Nellie Keating, born in Kilmore Village, later lived at Moortown. She went to mind children at Mosey Colfer's at Ballygow at a young age. She spent a number of years in Ballygow where she met a young man called James Cahill from Cullenstown. When she refused his hand in marriage he settled in America. Nellie was "a lovely looking girl with sandy hair" accoding to her niece, Mrs. Newport, Randalstown, Ballycogley, who by coincidence was married to James Newport who, in turn, was a grand nephew of the famous ballad maker P.J. McCall.


Regards

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: GUEST,Mike Newport
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 04:27 AM

A bit off topic I'm afraid but maybe one of you guys can help me. I am researching my family history and on a recent visit to Ireland found that P.J.McCall was part of my family. His mother was Elizabeth Newport who was the sister of my Great grandfather John Newport. Their parents Michael & Mary Newport had a farm in Rathangan. I haven't got back past that point yet. The Newports of Randalstown previously mentioned are my relations and Nicholas Newport who keeps a grocers shop at Randalstown crossroads is my 2nd cousin. Any interesting info gratefully accepted.
Does anyone have a copy of the article on P.J. and his father John that appeared on p.47-51 in Vol 34 of Carloviana (1986/7)?
Best regards. Mike

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: GUEST,Ma Flannery
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 10:28 AM

Thanks for all that info Martin.My mother, now long obit & born in 1911 told the exact same story as Paddy but I never heard her mention the Maids name perhaps she did not know it as I think she heard the story ,but not the details, from her mother,So, what year was that does anyone know ?I was bred , born & reared in Ballygow and it was" often in my youth & prime " I strolled Mosey Colfers lane so thats a nice memory for me but I feel sad for poor ould James Cahill.
If its of any help to you Mike the only Newports I knew as I grew up in Bannow in the 1950s was a Patsy Newport who used to drive a skut truck and buy redundant hens around that area--- gone beyond egg laying.
Mariner, thanks for the offer,but I have Paddys two books and had forgotten about the Jack McCutcheon songs included.You have me "puggeled"Yeah, remember well, The Goal, the Harbour, Barneys Castlebridge, Menapia Folks, ,must be Big Jack Leary ,Sailor Jack as Whitney used to say .Hope all is well with you .Am I correct ?

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MARINER
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 11:19 AM

You got me Louis . I'm still barely hangin' in there. Had a good weekend in Carrig at the Phil Murphy Weekend and am now fully rested and gearing up for Feakle. Take care and to quote another Whitney saying "Fair Play to the Lodger and long legs to the Babby" (What ever the hell that meant !)Jack.

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: GUEST,Ma Flannery
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 04:50 PM

Youll surely give a rendition of "Bannows Lonely Shores" Jack ,
wish I could be there , might look you up after the Fleadh , will be down Shelmalier way for a few days,Yeah heard the Murphy weekend was superb -----apologies to Martin for butting in
Cheers, Louis

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 05:11 PM

Louis

Ná h-abair! A rinne tusa cúrsa Gaeilge le NUIG le déanaí?

Regards

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: GUEST,Ma Flannery
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 05:39 PM

Mairtin,
Nil, conas a thath??Nil agam ach Gaeilge Loc Garman, Gaeilge codlaidh amuigh a deirtear
Lugaidh Laimh Fhada

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 02:44 AM

Thanks Ma Flannery. That means there are two Louis's with midland connections confused in my head. Sounds like a case for the guillotine...

Regards

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: Severn
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 11:35 AM

Healy may not have it in his sea song book, but in "The First Book Of Irish Ballads" James N. Healy/Daniel D. O'Keefe He does have what he says is a recitation rather than a sung song called "The Fisherman Of Wexford (a local legend)" by one Jack Boyle O'Reilly, if anyone's interested enough for me to type it out.

Subject: RE: CALLING MARTIN RYAN-Wexford fishing song
From: GUEST,Ma Flannery
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 03:31 PM

Martin , we wont go that far , no need.;---its not the answer,settle down agus tog go bog e ,
There is only one , the real Lugahih Laimh Fhada. Perhaps , witout my approval , there are imitators & illusionists, but fear not , this is me , the original fossil of that threatened species , never in NUIG in my life but I once seen a guillotine in Paris , France
Have a good time in Feakle,
Louis

Subject: Lyr Add: HERSELF AND MYSELF (P. J. McCall)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 12:47 PM

Here's the song (or poem) that was quoted above:

From Songs of Erinn by Patrick Joseph McCall (London: Simpkin, Marshall & Co., Ltd., 1899), page 119:


HERSELF AND MYSELF.
AN OLD MAN'S SONG.

'Twas beyond at Macreddin, at Owen Doyle's weddin',
The boys got the pair of us out for a reel.
Says I, "Boys, excuse us." Says they, "Don't refuse us."
"I'll play nice an' aisy," says Larry O'Neill.
So off we went trippin' it, up an' down steppin' it—
Herself and Myself on the back of a doore;
Till Molly—God bless her!—fell into the dresser,
An' I tumbled over a child on the floore.

Says Herself to Myself, "We're as good as the best o' them."
Myself to Herself, "Shure, we're better than gold."
Says Herself to Myself, "We're as young as the rest o' them."
Says Myself to Herself, "Troth, we'll never grow old."

As down the lane goin', I felt my heart growin'
As young as it was forty-five years ago.
'Twas here in this bóreen I first kissed my stóireen—
A sweet little colleen with skin like the snow.
I looked at my woman—a song she was hummin'
As old as the hills, so I gave her a pogue*—
'Twas like our old courtin', half sarious, half sportin',
When Molly was young, an' when hoops were in vogue.

When she'd say to Myself, "You can coort with the best o' them."
When I'd say to Herself, "Sure, I'm betther than gold."
When she'd say to Myself, "You're as wild as the rest o' them."
And I'd say to Herself, "Troth, I'm time enough old."

* Pogue, a kiss.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by P. J. McCall
From: zozimus
Date: 07 Oct 10 - 04:37 PM

"Songs of Erinn" book is now available in print-on-demand format and can be got for about $14 from abebooks. The above song was a great favourite of Kathleen Behan and her husband,"Rosie", and has been recorded in part by both herself and famous son, Brendan Behan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by P. J. McCall
From: GUEST,Late Mrs Flannery .
Date: 02 Feb 18 - 05:37 PM

I just fell upon this wonderful conversation this night . It was wonderful to recall . Are we all extant to the present day , a decade later ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: songs by P. J. McCall
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 03 Feb 18 - 04:56 AM

Well, I am, anyway! MARINER is also hanging in there, also.

Regards