Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith

Subject: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith
From: Fleadhman
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 11:02 AM

I wonder if anyone out there in Mudcat land can help me. I am looking for the words of a song which has the first two lines as follows:

O Rourke the blacksmith forged a pike, no better ere was made
With an ashen handle eight foot long and two foot long the blade.

It was written about the battle of Vinegar Hill during the rebellion of 1798 in Co Wexford. I was told that the words appeared in a book which was published in 1938, but I have no more details. I would be greatful for any information.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith
From: David Ingerson
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:08 PM

I'll see what I can find when I get home.

David

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith
From: Fleadhman
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:41 PM

Thank you David. All help welcome.
Seamus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith
From: David Ingerson
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 05:07 PM

Well, sorry to say, Fleadhman, that I can't be of much help. It sounded like something Zimmerman might have included, but no...

It seems like an interesting song, though. Already in the first line the listener is set up for the possibility of a dramatic failure of a near-perfect instrument.

Cheers,

David

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith
From: GUEST,Fleadhman
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 02:34 PM

O Rourke the blacksmith forged a pike, no better ere was made
With an ashen handle eight foot long and two foot long the blade
'Twas blessed by Father Murphy, one night by Slaney side
O Rourke he loved his weapon as a lover loves his bride

These are all the lines I could find so far.
Thanks for trying anyway, David, much appreciated
Seamus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith
From: MartinRyan
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 05:39 PM

Has the feel of a recitation rather than a song, to me. I have a feeling I have heard it done. Can't find it in any of the usual suspects. If all else fails, I'll have a look in the Traditional Music Archive, next time I'm in Dublin.

O'Rourke may not be the title, of course.

Regards
p.s Mariner - You heard it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith
From: GUEST,#
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 01:13 PM

BINGO

The poem/song is called "The Wexford Pikeman" by William Collins.

https://books.google.ca/books?id=F8RHAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA253&lpg=PA253&dq=O+Rourke+the+blacksmith+forged+a+pike,+no+better+ere+was+mad

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith
From: GUEST,#
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 02:56 PM

https://books.google.ca/books?id=patCAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA165&lpg=PA165&dq=%22The+Wexford+Pikeman%22+by+William+Collins.&source=bl&ots=

That's another link to the lyrics (start in p.165).