Lyr ADD: John Condon - about WWI soldier

Subject: John Condon
From: GUEST,Mick O'Gorman
Date: 16 Jun 05 - 12:36 PM

I have tried without success to find a four track C.D. called The Innocent Flower' which coontains a track, John Condon, about the youngest soldier to die in WW1. He was a number of days short of his fourteemth birthday. The song stuck me to the ground on hearing it. I understand the four track is 'out of print' but the song is to appear on a new CD called The Boys of the Island. If anyone has any information, lyrics or knowledge of the whereabouts of any of the above I would love to hear. Tóg go bog é. Mick

Subject: RE: John Condon
From: Peace
Date: 16 Jun 05 - 11:01 PM

http://www.entsweb.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?board=Folk;action=display;num=1107431749

Subject: RE: John Condon
From: Peace
Date: 16 Jun 05 - 11:08 PM

[e-mail]

Try an e-mail to that addy.

Subject: Chord Req: John condon
From: widowmaker
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 12:34 PM

hi I wonder if anyone can supply chords for Niamh parsons song "John condon" if its not too much preferably in G or thereabouts thanks in anticipation

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: JOHN CONDON (from Niamh Parsons)
From: Simon G
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 05:26 PM

Is it this one? By Richard Laird, Sam Starrett, Tracey McRory

/ C - F - / C Am F / F - - C / Dm - C G7 /
Just today, another day
Beneath the Belgian sun
Past grave on grave, row upon row
Until I see the name John Condon

/ C - F - / C Am F / F - - C / Dm - C G7 /
Carved in stone, with harp and crown
Little crosses in the ground
And standing there, my silent prayer
Is for a boy who died a soldier

Chorus
/ C - F -/ C - G - / F - C - / Am G C /
Wee lad, who'll not grow old
Heros that don't come home
Here they lie in Belgian fields
And Picarde

/ C - F - / C Am F / F - - C / Dm - C G7 /
Just a recruit in soldier's boots
From Ireland's shores to here
This living hell, this Poelcapelle
Where young men fell like you John Condon

/ C - F - / C Am F / F - - C / Dm - C G7 /
And all around, harp and crown
The crosses in the ground
Stand up in proof, the bitter truth
The waste of youth that lies forgotten

Chorus

/ C - F - / C Am F / F - - C / Dm - C G7 /
Now tell me John, before I go on
What did you come here for
With Ireland bored, your life untold
Fourteen years old to die a soldier

/ C - F - / C Am F / F Am / F Am /
And all around, harp and crown
The crosses in the ground
What cause was served ...
So undeserved ...

/ Am - F -/ Am - F - / F - C / Am G C /
Heros who don't come home
Sing out for all their souls
Here they lie in Belgian fields
And Picarde

Subject: RE: Chord Req: John condon
From: widowmaker
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 02:37 PM

Excellent thanks I knew catters wouldn't dissapoint me thanks a lot

Subject: RE: Chord Req: John condon
From: Simon G
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 04:18 PM

Its a great song. I am no singer, but do sing it from time to time in singarounds, sometime I get a brilliant reaction from the audience and other times nothing. I can't work out what I do differently that changes the reaction. I'll keep plugging away see if I can make it work more often.

Subject: Lyr Add: JOHN CONDON (Laird, Starrett, McRory)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 02:58 AM

JOHN CONDON
Words & Music: R. Laird / S. Starrett / T. McRory
Publisher: Bardis Music ©2002

Just a day,
Another day
  Beneath the Belgian sun,
Past grave on grave,
Row on row,
Until I see
  The name John Condon
Carved in stone
With harp and crown,
Little crosses in the ground,
And standing there,
My silent prayer
Is for a boy
  Who died a soldier.

Wee lad who'll not grow old,
Heroes that don't come home,
Here they lie in Belgian fields
And Picardy.

Just a recruit,
In soldiers boots,
  From Ireland's shores to here,
This living hell,
This Poelkappele,
Where young men fell,
  Like you, John Condon.
And all around,
The harp and crown,
The crosses in the ground
Stand up in proof,
The bitter truth,
The waste of youth
  That lies forgotten!

Wee lad who'll not grow old,
Heroes that won't come home,
Here they lie in Belgian fields
And Picardy.

Now tell me, John,
Before I go on,
  What did you come here for,
With Ireland's bold,
Your life untold,
14 years old,
  To die a soldier?
And all around,
The harp and crown,
The crosses in the ground—
What cause was served?
So undeserved!

Heroes that don't come home,
Sing out for all their souls,
Here they lie in Belgian fields
And Picardy.

---

Niamh Parsons recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVNbK5Afx-o

Mary Dillon recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFmbvthv_Kg

Fairport Convention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifVYtH1d3uw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Sooz
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 04:07 AM

Flossie Malavialle's version is stunning.

BTW I believe that his age is something of an urban myth. Great song though.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 04:36 AM

Yup, Flossie's version is superb - wonderful singing.
There's a suggestion that John Condon was actually 19, and that some army clerk had cocked-up on his records (there was a thread about this some time ago).
But 19 is still far, far too young to die, and it's a beautiful song about the tragedy of war.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,Gooch
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 04:43 PM

Niamh Parsons version is worth a listen

http://www.we7.com/#/track/John-Condon!trackId=2359416

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Rasener
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 04:54 PM

Flossie Malavialle - John Condon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,tracey
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 07:22 PM

hi there, just happened 2 b browsing and came across your conversation. its lovely 2 hear nice things about a song i co wrote. I just thought i would say hello

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,999
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 07:25 PM

Beautiful song, Tracey. If there are any mistakes in the song as posted, would you be kind enough to let us know what corrections need to be made?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 01:17 PM

hi there, i am glad u like the song, its very special to us. Its lovely to see the lyrics of the song here on this site, glad i came across it. Take care, tracey

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 01:48 PM

Yes he was 18, not 14 and he is not buried in this grave anyway!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Den
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 01:58 PM

Mary Dillon does a great version of this song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Silas
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 02:11 PM

Yes he was 18, not 14 and he is not buried in this grave anyway!


Sorry, this was me, (Justreset my cookies)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 02:14 PM

Mary Dillon sang the original demo - stunning of course - and here it is....http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=377192


- Niamh Parsons was the first to record it and I think Flossie learnt it from the writers themselves also.

Unfortunately Sam Sterrett died two years ago.

Just a day, another day beneath the Belgian sun
past grave on grey, row upon row
until I see the name John Condon..........
carved in stone with harp and crown, little crosses in the ground
and standing there, my silent prayer is for a boy who died a soldier

wee lad who'll not grow old
heroes that don't come home
here they lie in Belgian fields
and Picardie

Just a recruit, in soldiers boots, from Ireland's shores to here
this living hell, this Poelkappele, where young men fell...
Like you, John Condon............
and all around, the harp and crown, the crosses in the ground
stand up in proof, the bitter truth, the waste of youth! ...that lies forgotten

wee lad who'll not grow old
heroes that don't come home
here they lie in Belgian fields
and Picardie

Now tell me John, before I go on, what did you come here for
with Ireland's bold, your life untold! 14 years old
to die a soldier?
and all around, the harp and crown, the crosses in the ground
what cause was served....................?
so undeserved.....................!

(heroes that dont come home)
sing out for all their souls
here they lie in Belgian fields
and Picardie

He really was only 13 when he joined, and 14 when he died.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Silas
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 02:29 PM

No, he was definatly 18 when he was killed. The grave maker is wrong anyway, the grave contains the body of a 35 year old soldier.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Silas
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 02:32 PM

In fact, this is the guy buried in his grave;

6322 Rifleman Patrick Fitzsimmons, 2nd Royal Irish Rifles, KIA 16/6/15, age 35, the husband of Bridget Fitzsimmons, of 9 Raphael St., Belfast.

It appears that the MoD and the CWGC do not have the will or the bottle to do the decent thing and acknowledge the error.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Simon G
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 05:17 PM

Tracey, thanks for your wonderful song. I sang it at a Kitchen Party here in Nova Scotia in November and people found it very moving despite my best efforts to mess it up.

The actual truth of John Condon doesn't matter that much, the song is for all those under age boys who signed up and fought in the first world war.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Silas
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 05:21 PM

No, the truth of John Condon is not too important, the truth of Patrick Fitzsimmons is though.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,999
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 05:23 PM

I'm confused. Are we still looking for anything on this thread?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Rasener
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 05:26 PM

I'm confused, is Guest Stacey, Guest, who is Silas?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 03:05 PM

hi there all, a lively conversation goin in here. The song was written after a visit the the wee boys grave. Richard laird had the concept 4 the song and later worked with sam and myself 2 write the song. Sam was nw partner and sadly died in march 2007. The song really is about all the young boys who died in that terrible war. Mary dillon recorded it on our album 'boys of the island'. Niamh, flossie and more recently jerry lynch have all recorded the song. on the 11th of november past ,the royarl navy belgian orchestra performed john condon with a soprano ct a remembrance concert in ieper. tracey

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Silas
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 03:48 PM

It is indeed a lovely song and very well written. Even at 18 it is far too young to go and die for failed politics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Simon G
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 05:39 PM

The Belgian Royal Navy Orchestra and a Soprano singing John Condon. That would be something to experience, is it on video anywhere I wonder.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 08:31 PM

the royal navy sent me the audio of it - very different with a big arrangement . Dont think its available anywhere

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Louie Roy
Date: 06 Jan 10 - 08:41 PM

One of the best songs I ever heard paying tributes to all the American Soldier seving in WW1 is called GI Joe

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Jan 10 - 07:25 PM

Lest anyone be misled (as I was):

The rows of dots..............in the above lyrics do NOT represent missing words. There are no missing words in the above transcription, as I verified by listening to the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 11:31 AM

The family on John Condon insist he was only 13 when he joined, and only 14 when he died - the song was written in commeration of his birth date - 1902-2002 - he died in a gas attach in 1915

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 11:38 AM

No matter his age - it's a beautiful song about one tragic death amongst millions, and it deserves all the praise it receives.

I confess my favourite version is Flossie Malavialle's. Lovely singing of a fine song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,WW1 Soldiers
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 04:13 AM

World War One Soldiers: Training, Trenches and Weapons: http://www.amazon.com/World-War-One-Soldiers-Training/dp/1449555349

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,Janet Dowd
Date: 26 May 10 - 09:29 AM

Hi there

Just wanted to let you know that I have just recently recorded a version of the song 'John Condon'. You can check it out on www.janetdowd.com and there is also a video on You Tube. Hope you enjoy!!!!!
Cheers J

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 26 May 10 - 10:00 AM

I sang my first unaccompanied song ever at a singaround on Monday...it was "John Condon".

It seemed to go down quite well despite my version being a VERY poor imitiation of Flossie's, which is where I got the inspiration to learn it. I don't sing well, but managed to find a key that I could do it in and sound pretty good.

I think the paperwork, census records etc prove pretty conclusively that JC was 19 when he died, but that doesn't detract from the spirit of the song. I can understand his family being reluctant to relinquish the myth, but when I heard Flossie sing it, I did research the background quite a bit and I'm pretty convinced of the evidence of his age, and also that it's probably not even his body in that particular grave.

None of that matters though, as the song is wonderfully moving. When I'd finished, there was that moment of silence you sometimes get before applause starts, which comes across as a "feeling" that the audience was sufficiently absorbed in the song not to be just waiting for the last note so they could clap. It made my evening!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,Vivian
Date: 16 Jun 11 - 06:32 AM

the song's really nice, but its really sad that JC died at such a tender age..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 01:32 PM

http://www.derryjournal.com/lifestyle/entertainment/songwriters_honoured_for_wwi_ballad_1_3202920

Published on Tuesday 1 November 2011 11:07

A song penned by three north west musicians that recalls the human tragedy of the First World War has been named folk song of the year by BBC Radio Devon.

Written by the late Sam Starrett, Richard Laird and Tracey McRory, 'John Condon', recounts the tale of a 14 year-old Waterford boy who was the youngest known soldier to die in the First World War.

The emotive ballad was named BBC Radio Devon's folk programme's song of the year, beating the likes of Richard Thompson and Paul Brady to the number one spot.

Now a local audience will have the chance to hear the song - and others inspired by World War One - at a concert to be held in the Playhouse on November 13.

The concert has been organised by Tracey McRory and Richard Laird and they are delighted that Richard Digance - host of the folk programme on Radio Devon - will be joining them for a special performance, his first ever on the island of Ireland.

Richard Laird says local music lovers can expect some exceptional performances.

"There will also be a host of other wonderful performers taking part - Sean Donnelly, Janet Dowd, the talented Eddie O' Donnell and Marie Clarke. And there will be a very special performance of our song 'Boys of the Island' by Thornhill College Choir."

Following a visit to the Battlefields of Flanders in 2002 the songwriters felt inspired by the tragic beauty that preserves the memories and secrets of a lost generation of young men to write an album 'Boys of the Island', which includes the song John Condon sung by Mary Dillon,

Since 'John Condon's' release, the song has been recorded by a number of other artists: Niamh Parsons; Jerry Lynch; Flossie Malavialle and most recently, beautiful and emotive Co. Armagh singer Janet Dowd. It was Janet Dowd's version that was named Number One by Radio Devon.

The Playhouse concert gets underway at 8pm on November 13. To book or for more information visit www.derryplayhouse.co.uk or telephone [phone].

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,John Condon
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 04:55 PM

I must learn this song!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: Bearheart
Date: 09 Jul 13 - 01:34 PM

just did a search for this on Mudcat after discovering Mary Dillon's version on Spotify.

lovely song, can enough ever be said/sung about the tragedy of war? and the hypocrisy and cruelty of those in power sending young people to their graves???

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,Micky McNulty
Date: 08 Sep 13 - 09:04 AM

The Lad was 14 years old not 18 or any other age the British Army come up with or anybody else,,,, , it's was common to join up at 14 or even younger in those days,,, John Condon was a brave Irish boy from Waterfird.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: John Condon (from Niamh Parsons)
From: GUEST,x
Date: 29 Sep 14 - 12:23 PM

Just a correction of a typo in verse 3 above:

Now tell me John, before I go on What did you come here for? ***With Ireland's bold*** , your life untold Fourteen years old to die a soldier?

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 30 Oct 23 - 01:35 PM

My favourite rendition of the song is by Johnny Coppin. His grave is a popular place of pilgrimage for parties of school children as part of the national curriculum but is being somewhat desecrated by the tat some people find the need to leave in such places.

A good story but, unfortunately, recent research has revealed that the whole story is largely a work of fiction. He wasn’t 14 and there is strong evidence to suggest that the grave actually contains a completely different person.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: John Condon - about WWI soldier
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 30 Oct 23 - 01:35 PM

My favourite rendition of the song is by Johnny Coppin. His grave is a popular place of pilgrimage for parties of school children as part of the national curriculum but is being somewhat desecrated by the tat some people find the need to leave in such places.

A good story but, unfortunately, recent research has revealed that the whole story is largely a work of fiction. He wasn’t 14 and there is strong evidence to suggest that the grave actually contains a completely different person.