Lyr Req: Tom Williams

Subject: Tom Williams
From: Brack&
Date: 13 Dec 98 - 09:09 PM

A friend has asked me to get the words of this ballad about Tom Williams. I have a couple of versions of a song called Tom Williams but he says it's not the right one. The one wants contains the words "My name is Tom Williams, I am ** years of age.

Can anyone help?

Regards Mick Bracken

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brack&
Date: 13 Dec 98 - 09:15 PM

I forgot to mention that this is an Irish song!!

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Reta Fain
Date: 13 Dec 98 - 11:00 PM

Hi Tom; I have a books of old Irish ballads and the only one that comes close to what you asking for is "General Munroe." It is common for the name to be changed to suit the singer and perhaps that is the case here.
First verse:

My name is George Campbell. At the age of eighteen,
I joined the United Men to strive for the green,
And many a battle I did undergo,
With that hero commander, brave General Munroe.

Have you heard of the battle of Ballinahinch,
Where the people oppressed rose up in defence?
When Munroe left the mountains, his men took the field,
And they fought for twelve hours and never did yield.

There are the first two verses. He will be able to tell from them I'm sure. The music is in the book also but not with chords. I would have to have it copied if he wants it. Let me know.
My e-mail is [e-mail]

Regards and luck. Reta

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Reta Fain
Date: 13 Dec 98 - 11:43 PM

Good lord, I hope you can read my message. I just re-read it and I don't recall all the mistakes. I am sending this just to see if it goes alright. I could hardly make some of the other one out. The worst part was where I was explaining that it was common for the singer to change the name in songs to suit himself and that is perhaps what happened in this instance.

The e-mail address is [e-mail]

I'm sorry the other is so messy.

Regards. Reta

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Dec 98 - 12:12 AM

Mick,

I have it somewhere, it may take a few days, but I will find it.

All the best,

Mick Lane

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Roddy
Date: 16 Dec 98 - 04:57 PM

Tom Williams. Tried and condemned to death for the murder of a policeman in Belfast in the 1940's. Subsequently hanged in Crumlin Road Gaol in the same city. His execution immortalised him in the pantheon of IRA heroes, much in the same way as happened to Kevin Barry. Roddy

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brack&
Date: 20 Dec 98 - 08:48 PM

Any luck Mick?

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: MG
Date: 22 Dec 98 - 05:05 PM

Was Tom Williams the last person executed in Ireland ? MG

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Dec 98 - 01:10 AM

Still looking, Mick. I have it somewhere, but I haven't found it yet. Got a gig Sunday and Monday, and I will be practicing. That gives me a good reason to go through my collection. I will check it out this weekend.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brakn
Date: 27 Apr 99 - 02:04 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Philippa
Date: 27 Apr 99 - 05:41 PM

I'm familiar with a song about the to which Roddy refers, "bold Tom Williams we salute you...". But I wonder whether the request could be for Johnny McEvoy's song about John Williams??

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Roddy
Date: 28 Apr 99 - 02:40 PM

Tom Williams was not the last person executed in Ireland. That dubious distinction goes to a Robert Mc Gladdery for the murder of Pearl Gamble in Newry in the 1950's. Roddy

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 05:54 PM

for your information: Tom Williams was re-interred today at Milltown Cemetary, Belfast

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: GUEST,Roddy
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 08:48 PM

Yes, Philippa, but not in the Republican Plot in Milltown Cemetery, Belfast. His family insisted that he be buried in the family plot. The Republicans, thus robbed of a "great occasion" have decided to stage a demonstration in his memory this Sunday at the Republican Plot and as a result black flags have appeared in so called "Republican" areas of Belfast. The main arterial route North out of the city is bedecked in these ritualistic pieces of cloth. No doubt they'll remian there - like the miriad tricolours - to rot in the wind and rain. So much for respect! I noticed this evening that they were being erected in cover of darkness. I wonder why!! Roddy

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Thomas Covenant
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 11:37 PM

Where are the 'so called Republican areas of Belfast' then Roddy, and what are the 'ritualistic pieces of cloth'?.
Do you have the words of the song or not?, because that is what this thread is about - not your rhetoric.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brakn
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 04:50 AM

Again

A friend has asked me to get the words of this ballad about Tom Williams. I have a couple of versions of a song called Tom Williams but he says it's not the right one. The one he wants contains the words "My name is Tom Williams, I am ** years of age.

Can anyone help?

Regards Mick Bracken

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: paddymac
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 09:56 AM

A question of semantics, Roddy. When republicans have a memorial for one of their fallen heros, you term it a "demonstration". Would you use the same phrase in the same sense to characterize an orange march? Is it not a memorial for a fallen (well, dead anyway) hero in their tradition?

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brendy
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 06:08 PM

Mick.
I used to play with a Belfast based band in the late '70's, early '80's, and the lead singer used to sing it, with us backing.
It has been so long that I now only have fragments of the song. I will try my best to try and get in touch with yer man over the weekend, trouble is, I don't think it is all that easy to get in touch with him, if you know what I mean.
Great song. As for the man himself, well I think my views are clear on issues like this.
I'll see what I can do.
B.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brakn
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 08:07 PM

See what you can do Brendy. There is alot of drink at stake. My friend said I'd never find it.

Mick Bracken

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brendy
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 10:20 PM

Yo there Mick.
I've gone and E-mailed a few people, and I think perhaps we could well be in luck over the weekend. In the meantime have a look at this I've already mailed these people, and I think that they may get back to me before too long, if my mates don't do it first.
Tiocfáidh ar lá
Brendy
PS I hope the link works

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Thomas Covenant
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 11:12 PM

from the same newspaper, incase you missed it.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: paddymac
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 12:50 AM

Amen!

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: GUEST,Roddy
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 01:24 AM

Hi, Reta, This is supposed to be a forum for musicians and those interested in Music. I personally don't welcome political intrusions which have no musical validity and I suspect that Alison doesn't either, though I wouldn't dare speak on her behalf. I'm sorry if you might feel miffed by these opinions, but they are a reaction to those who would prefer to forget the likes of me who have suffered 30 years and who still have managed to keep a sense of proportion. I have no wish to continue along this line and will make no further comment, but I felt that I had to speak up. Please do not take offence. Roddy
I just wanted to say that this is a post of mine from Jan 1999, and of course totally contradicts what I said in the above post. Sorry about the references I made about political intrusions.
I am now going to self mutilate myself in the most horriblest of ways. Sorry again

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brendy
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 09:26 PM

Mmmmmm right!

Mick, I got a comfirmation by E-mail from the editor this evening saying they would "Get to work on it"

Happy days.
Breandán

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: paddymac
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 03:16 AM

Roddy - my sense is that most folks would just like to see the insanity stop and enable people to get on with normal lives. The kind of blind hatred that seems to infect so many people in NI is irrational, diseconomic, and largely incomprehensible to anyone matured outside that microcosm. Slan.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brendy
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 03:28 AM

I wasn't going to mention it at the time, paddy, but I have a distinct feeling that an invisible hand was at work there.
After all we have seen and heard here, a large dose of magnanimity was the last thing I expected.
If I am wrong about this, I apologise Roddy; not that I agree with you about that which I first replied to you on this thread, but there is a fair bit of paranoia going around at the minute, and it has shaken quite a lot of people.
Brendy.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: GUEST,Roddy
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 08:07 AM

Who is GUEST, Roddy. There was quite a lot of trouble recently as someone on another thread used someone else's name in an insulting fashion. Is someone doing the same with my name ? To answer some questions: The "ritualistic pieces of sloth" are the black flags periodically hung from lamp-standards and houses and also the Tricolours which are misused by being left out in wind, rain, snow and sleet to rot away from neglect and disrespect. They perform the same function as red-white-and-blue kerbstones and dog's wee - they mark out territory. paddymac: semantics is everything. Semantics is about the meanings of words. Without meaning there can be no communication. A memorial is a monument and cannot be a demonstration. Ignoring semantics leads to the sort of misunderstanding you have just shown. Orange marches do not mark the deaths of their "fallen heroes" but the triumph of the Dutch monarch (William lll, Protestant) over the pretender to the English throne (James ll, Catholic)in a campaign fought in Ireland in the late C17. Anything else is a late development. In the immortal words of an Orange leader recently a propos a march through a Catholic area "There's not much point to marching through Protestant areas where we are welcome." That just about sums it up. Roddy (the genuine one.)

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: GUEST,Roddy
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 08:09 AM

Ah, now I see. Members do not have the word GUEST preposed to their name. Is there some point to this ? GUEST,Roddy

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:43 PM

Roddy, you'll get further information regarding our 'guest' status at Max manouvres

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brendy
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 04:16 AM

I was only going to refresh this, as I am waiting for the words to come through by mail today sometime (hopefully), but, nice to see you back, Roddy. I'm sure by now you've figured all the manoevering and stuff out, which is why I raised my eyebrows a bit when I read 'your' post.
But please man: 'ritualistic pieces of cloth'. The same thing could be said about tablecloths, curtains, clothing, even bedsheets. It's all a question of semantics. And it's all a question of which side you look at it from.
Anyway, due in the studio at 11.00, back later,
Brendy.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brendy
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 06:38 AM

Mick, If you see this, I have to tell you, that above all songs this one has been the hardest to track down.

I didn't get any reply from the editors after that last one, and have periodically searched for it since.

I'll be heading back, soon, and I will be meeting a mate of mine who I know has the words to this.

In the meantime, lets see what a quick refresh does!!!.

Beannachtaí.

B.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brakn
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 11:09 AM

Thanks Brendy

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: paddymac
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 03:45 PM

On 02 Sep 1942, nineteen year-old Tom Williams became the first republican "officially" executed in the Northern Ireland statelet and the last republican to be hanged in the Crumlin Road Gaol by the forces of the crown in Northern Ireland, despite appeals from the Pope, Eamon De Valera, Sean McBride, and then U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hall. Williams, then a two-year veteran in IRA activities, had led a raid designed to provide a diversion to enable a planned commemoration of the Easter Rising. The action went wrong, and after firing over an RUC vehicle, the team of six holed up in a house which was surrounded by the RUC. As the RUC approached the house, there was an exchange of gunfire in which Patrick Murphy, an RC member of the RUC, and Williams were shot. Murphy died at the scene and Williams and the others were captured. Told that he was dying anyway, Williams pled guilty to save his colleagues. The other five were reprieved three days before Williams was hanged.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Jimmy C
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 06:39 PM

TOM WILLIAMS

I know of no other song about Tom Williams except the following. This is from memory and a few of the words may not be correct but most of the song is here.

Time goes by as years roll onwards but in my memory fresh I'll keep
Of a night in Belfast prison, unshamefully I saw men weep.

For the time was fast approaching a lad lay sentenced for to die,
And on the second of September he goes to meet his God on high.

Now he's walking to the scaffold. Head erect, he shows no fear;
For on his proud and gallant shoulders Ireland's cross he holds so dear.

Now the cruel blow has fallen. For Ireland he has fought and died;
And we the countrymen who bore him will love and honour him with pride.

So come all you Irish rebels
If from the path you chance to stray
Bear in memory of the morn
When Irelands cross was proudly borne
By a lad who lay within these prison walls.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: paddymac
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 08:58 PM

Beautiful words, Jimmy. Do you have a melody for it?

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Jimmy C
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 04:47 PM

I have the melody but it's in my head and I can't get it onto the thread. I will try but it may take some time. It is a slow continuous air. I will play it on my banjo and try to submit it in ABC. I have a recording of the Flying Column singing it, the lead singer Eamon Largey(R.I.P) was a close boyhood friend of mine, the song is close to my heart as the Crumlin Road prison was a 5 minute walk from my home. I may be able to copy the recording - email me at [e-mail] and I will send you the tape.

Slainte

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brendy
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 05:03 PM

That's the one!!!
Isn't there not another verse at the end, though, Jimmy, that goes something like:

"Brave Tom Williams, we salute you...."

As I now salute you, for solving a query that has really bugged me since I first noticed this thread.
A 1 big fella.

The lad who used to sing this song, when we played it was from Amcomri Street.

Go raibh maith agat, a Shéamas.

B.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brendy
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 05:11 PM

Although that is the version of the song , that I was thinking of, Jimmy, I notice that Mick quoted these words, as being part of the song that he was talking about:

"My name is Tom Williams, I am ** years of age."

Thanks for that one, though. I've been looking for those words for ages.

go fóill

B.

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Jimmy C
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 08:14 PM

Brendy - you are right - there is another verse - thanks for jogging my memory.

Brave Tom Williams we salute you
And we never will forgwt
Those who planned your cruel murder
WE vow to make them all regret

I think this comes after "Love and honour him with pride." and before "So come all you"

Slan agat

Subject: RE: Tom Williams
From: Brendy
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 08:55 PM

Yes!!!!

Good man, Jimmy

B.

Subject: Lyr Add: TOM WILLIAMS
From: Brendy
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 09:27 PM

TOM WILLIAMS

Time goes by as years roll onwards
But in my memory fresh I'll keep
Of a night in Belfast Prison
Unshamefully I saw men weep

For the time was fast approaching
A lad lay sentenced for to die
And on the second of September
He goes to meet his god on high

Now he's walking to the scaffold
Head erect he shows no fear
For on his proud and gallant shoulders
Ireland's cross he holds so dear

Now the cruel blow has fallen
For Ireland he has fought and died
And we the countrymen who bore him
Will love and honour him with pride

Brave Tom Williams we salute you
And we never will forget
Those who planned your cruel murder
we vow to make them all regret

So come all you Irish rebels
If from the path you chance to stray
Bear in memory of the morn, when Irelands cross was proudly borne
by a lad who lay within these prison walls.

Submitted by Jimmy C
^^
B.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tom Williams
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 05:13 PM

www.myspace.com/mairiacahill1 for the melody