lyr/tune ADD: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)

Subject: Lyrics Req: Michael
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 30 Nov 98 - 05:45 PM

Hi gang,
Anyone know the lyrics to the song Michael by Johnny McEvoy?
Cheers
Mick

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req: Michael
From: Dawn
Date: 30 Nov 98 - 06:28 PM

Do you mean the song about the boy who was sent away by his father "for what went wrong"... and ended up dead somewhere with a note to his father in his pocket? If that's the song you want, I have it on tape, but sung by Gene Cotton; I'll transcribe the lyrics.

Subject: Lyr Add: MICHAEL (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Brack&
Date: 01 Dec 98 - 02:43 PM

Mick Lowe for the words of this song about Michael Collins, so I thought I may as well post it up. Regards Mick Bracken

Michael
(Johnny McEvoy)

On a far off August day, cold young men in ambush lay
On a roadside, by a hill where flowers grow
So much hate for one so young, who was right and who was wrong
Though a thousand years may pass, we'll never know

Chorus
Candles dripping blood, they placed beside your shoulder
Rosary beads, like teardrops on your fingers
Friends and comrades standing by
In their grief they wonder why, Michael,
In their hour of need you had to go

And when evening twilight came, gently fell the autumn rain
The dew lay still and silent on the ground
As we hung our heads in prayer, in our sorrow and despair
We wonder was it friend or foe who shot you down

Chorus

Now the flame that you held high, when you called out to the sky
To end this senseless killing and this shame
Has now passed to other hands, and is carried through the land
By some not fit to even speak your name

Chorus
Michael,
In their hour of need why did you go

Subject: RE: Lyrics Req: Michael
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 01 Dec 98 - 04:55 PM

Thanks Dawn,
But Brack& has beaten you to it I'm afraid..
To which, thanks Mick..
Cheers
Mick

Subject: RE: Michael
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Dec 98 - 05:02 PM

Mick B.,

I love this, have you got the music or can you direct me to a recording? I am taken by the lyrics and want to learn the song.

Thanks from one Mick to the other two Micks for providing this.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Michael
From: Brack&
Date: 02 Dec 98 - 07:36 AM

All I know is that Johnny McEvoy released it about eight years ago on cassette. I could copy it for you, if you want.

Subject: RE: Michael
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Dec 98 - 08:58 AM

Brack&,

Thanks for the offer, my friend. Let me see if I can find the tape first. I am off to Elderly in a day or so and I will check there first. If I can't find it, I may take you up on your kind offer.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Michael
From: another Mick!
Date: 15 Dec 98 - 09:08 PM

that is a great song. Thanks for the information that I didn't need to ask for.

Cheers!

Subject: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 07:13 AM

I found this bit on the web and it makes me want to know more about this song (written and/or sung by McEvoy) starting with the lyrics:

Michael

Johnny McEvoy

"On a far off August day cold young men in ambush lay on a roadside, by a hill where flowers grow so much hate for one so young who was right and who was wrong though a thousand years may pass we'll never know."

This song is a tribute to Michael Collins,..."

(copied from http://www.soldierssongs.com/#MIKE where you can listen a bit)

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: MICHAEL (Johnny McEvoy)
From: MudGuard
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 11:45 AM

Hello Wolfgang,
I just transcribed this song for you. No, I transcribed it now, because you requested it. I would have done so anyway.
As usual, pieces I am not sure about are marked in red.
HTH,
MudGuard (aka Andreas)


Michael

as performed by Johnny McEvoy on his Celebration album.

[spoken = blue]
The (collew ???) stood silent and unseen
In the long damp grass
And he looked down on the road below him
That wound its way through a (bay and a block???)
And he heard the young men shouting and cursing
Running backwards and forwards
Dodging and weaving and ducking the bullets
That rained down on them
From the hillside opposite.

Just as quickly as it started the firing stopped
And a terrible silence hung over the valley
A lone figure lay on the roadside
In the drizzling August rain
Dressed in green cape coat, leggings,
And brown hobnail boots
That would never again
Set the sparks flying from the kitchen flagstones
As he danced his way through a half-set

A hurried whisper (dacked???) of contrition
And the firing breaks out again
The (collew???) takes to flight
And as he flies out over the empty sad fields of West Cork
With his lonesome call
He must tell the world
That the big fellow has fallen
And that Michael is gone

On a far off August day
Cold young men in ambush lay
On a roadside, by a hill where flowers grow
So much hate for one so young
Who was right and who was wrong
Though a thousand years may pass we'll never know

Chorus:
Candles dripping blood
They placed beside your shoulders
Rosary beans like teardrops on your fingers
Friends and comrades standing by
In their grief they wonder why
Michael, in their hour of need
You had to go

And when evening twilight came
Gently fell the Autumn rain
Oh but you lay still and silent on the ground
As we hung our heads in prayer
In our sorrow and despair
We wonder was it friend or foe who shot you down

Now the flame that you held high
When you called out to the sky
To end the senseless killing and this shame
Has now passed to other hands
And is carried through the lands
By some not fit to even speak your name

Michael, in their hour of need
Why did you go?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 12:02 PM

thanks a lot, Andreas for the quick response.
BTW, have you seen recently this link (http://www.uni-mainz.de/~cielp005/selectasong.htm), provided by Philippa, to a site with a couple of songs from that "50 complete..." CD we both have transcribed in collaboration? Some of their lyrics are definitely better than our attempt. See, e.g., Loughgall ambush for a definitive improvement.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Brakn
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 08:42 PM

There seems to be some dispute about who wrote this song. I heard Johnny McEvoy do it about ten years ago and I'm sure he said he wrote it, but a couple of years ago someone else I know, a guy called Johnny from Newry, said that he had written it. Anyone know?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: MudGuard
Date: 19 Oct 99 - 09:05 AM

I have listened some more times to this song (and to its spoken intro.
collew must be curlew (which is a kind of bird - Brachvogel in German)

dacked must be the act

Subject: lyrics 'Michael' by Johnny McEvoy
From:
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 08:21 AM

Am seeking lyrics for the song "Michael" by Johnny McEvoy. Song can be found on CD "Soldier's Songs"

Subject: RE: lyrics 'Michael' by Johnny McEvoy
From: Pene Azul
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 08:24 AM

You can get the lyrics here (click).

(also emailed)

Jeff

Subject: RE: lyrics 'Michael' by Johnny McEvoy
From: Brakn
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 09:52 AM

Previous Thread

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: GUEST,Mikey Joe
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 10:51 AM

'Bay & a block' is Beal na Blath (in english this means Mouth of the Flowers) where Michael Collins was shot on 22/7/1922.

Mudguard is correct re the other two

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: MudGuard
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 11:16 AM

Thanks Mikey Joe, another one I can take off my list of incomplete lyrics.
MudGuard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Quincy
Date: 02 Nov 00 - 03:53 PM

I've been thinking about this song for a long time now and play it over and over as I think it sounds like some other older tune?

Is it similar/same as another tune or is it just my imagination?!!

Also.....slight thread creep...I think Johnny McEvoy is lovely! Have you heard him sing a beautiful song he released recently with Isla Grant? It's called Partners in Rhyme....the loveliest song I've heard in ages.

best wishes, Yvonne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: widowmaker
Date: 03 Nov 00 - 12:46 PM

Johny McEvoy definitely wrote this song one of his best in my opinion about the only hero in my life MICHAEL COLLINS

Subject: RE: Michael
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 08:32 PM

I'd heard about this song. It really is great. love it

Subject: RE: Michael
From: Muttley
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 09:05 AM

Thanks for those brilliant words - LOVED the film, admire the man - - - - - but would REALLY like the chords if you have them.

Subject: RE: ADD: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Fiolar
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 08:40 AM

The song is on the Johnny McEvoy's CD "Celebration" which is a two disc set.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: GUEST,conor toman
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 05:36 AM

hi ther im a republican i think your web site is great do u know the songs of 8 brave volunteers who were brultale mundered by thacther and her corhorts tom king and the est of the rich an powerful will be sorry that loughgall ever happen .could u please give me a list of sites that i could listen too this song thanx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: GUEST,Annamieuk
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 03:06 PM

The words are " a hurried whispered ACT OF CONTRITION" Not 'dacked'!??
Thanks for the spelling of Bael na Blath.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 04:43 PM

..and for "collew" read "curlew"

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Shaneo
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 05:24 AM

Lyrics, chords and video on my site here

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: GUEST,murphy
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 10:31 AM

http://tinabelina60.imeem.com/music/TMtcy05X/johnnymcevoy_going_to_california_with_isla_grant/
Heres a link to Going to California

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: GUEST,murphy
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 10:41 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AK1HosFCAE
And here id Michael

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 06:49 PM

Hi there, I was looking for the sheet music, or perhaps just the harmony notes so that my father can learn this song on button occordion. He loves it and I want to surprise him, but live in a small town with no where to purchase sheet music. Is there anywhere online I can get it for free, or by ordering? Thanks.

Subject: Music for Michael by Johnny McEvoy
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 06:52 PM

Hi there, I was looking for the sheet music, or perhaps just the harmony notes so that my father can learn the song Micheael, by Johnny McEvoy on button accordion. He loves it and I want to surprise him, but live in a small town with no where to purchase sheet music. Is there anywhere online I can get it for free, or by ordering? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Music for Michael by Johnny McEvoy
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 09:20 AM

Just bumping this up on the list, I would be very grateful if someone could lead me to the music for this song. Thanks so much.

---

Please note that anonymous posting is no longer allowed at Mudcat. Use a consistent name [in the 'from' box] when you post, or your messages risk being deleted.
Note also that I combined threads to avoid splitting the discussion of the song.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tune req/Lyr Add: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 01:22 PM

refresh - can anybody help find a tune or sheet music for this song? If you can make a MIDI, send it to me for posting. Thanks.
-Joe Offer-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Tune req/Lyr Add: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 09:57 AM

Subject: RE: Tune req/Lyr Add: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 09 - 10:47 AM

thanks for the words of Michael
You sing it well
Mary

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: GUEST,Xian
Date: 11 May 09 - 01:48 PM

By the way, "Rosary beans" should read "Rosary beads".

Best

Subject: RE: Tune req/Lyr Add: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 11:51 PM

Somebody sent me a MIDI, YouTube link, plus a transcription of the lyrics:

MICHAEL
(Johnny McEvoy)

On a far off August day… cold young men in ambush lay
On a roadside by a hill where flowers grow
So much hate for one so young.. who was right and who was wrong
Though a thousand years may pass we'll never know

Chorus:
Candles dripping blood, they place beside your shoulders
Rosary beads like teardrops on your fingers
Friends and comrades standing by, in their grief they wonder why
Michael in their hour of need you had to go

And when evening twilight came,.. gentle fell the autumn rain
Oh but you lay still and silent on the ground
As we hung our heads in prayer.. in our sorrow and despair
We wonder was it friend or foe who shot you down

Chorus..........Instrumental

Now the flame you held up high.. when you called out to the sky
To end this senseless killing and this shame
Has now passed to other hands ..and is carried through the land
By some not even fit to speak your name

Chorus…………Tag: Michael in their hour of need why did you go

---

Click to play (joeweb)

Subject: RE: lyr/tune ADD: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 22 Apr 12 - 05:31 AM

Johnny McEvoy live

Rog

Subject: RE: lyr/tune ADD: Michael (Johnny McEvoy)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 22 Apr 12 - 06:26 AM

Just spotted this was already posted. Still, does no harm to listen again to this excellent song.

First heard the song just over a week ago in The Lake Hotel, Killarney, sung by Rosie Healy accompanied by her husband Derry on guitar. Beautiful rendition, a very enjoyable evening.

Rog