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16 Jun 05 - 12:36 PM (#1502286) Subject: John Condon From: GUEST,Mick O'Gorman 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 |
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16 Jun 05 - 11:01 PM (#1502706) Subject: RE: John Condon From: Peace http://www.entsweb.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?board=Folk;action=display;num=1107431749 |
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16 Jun 05 - 11:08 PM (#1502710) Subject: RE: John Condon From: Peace songshed@hotmail.com Try an e-mail to that addy. |
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26 Oct 07 - 12:34 PM (#2179772) Subject: Chord Req: John condon From: widowmaker 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 |
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26 Oct 07 - 05:26 PM (#2180003) Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: JOHN CONDON (from Niamh Parsons) From: Simon G 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 |
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27 Oct 07 - 02:37 PM (#2180552) Subject: RE: Chord Req: John condon From: widowmaker Excellent thanks I knew catters wouldn't dissapoint me thanks a lot |
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27 Oct 07 - 04:18 PM (#2180587) Subject: RE: Chord Req: John condon From: Simon G 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. |
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01 Jan 10 - 02:58 AM (#2800630) Subject: Lyr Add: JOHN CONDON (Laird, Starrett, McRory) From: GUEST,999 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 |
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01 Jan 10 - 04:07 AM (#2800643) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Sooz Flossie Malavialle's version is stunning. BTW I believe that his age is something of an urban myth. Great song though. |
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01 Jan 10 - 04:36 AM (#2800650) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Backwoodsman 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. |
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03 Jan 10 - 04:43 PM (#2802422) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,Gooch Niamh Parsons version is worth a listen http://www.we7.com/#/track/John-Condon!trackId=2359416 |
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03 Jan 10 - 04:54 PM (#2802430) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Rasener Flossie Malavialle - John Condon |
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03 Jan 10 - 07:22 PM (#2802547) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,tracey 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 |
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03 Jan 10 - 07:25 PM (#2802551) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,999 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? |
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04 Jan 10 - 01:17 PM (#2803130) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST 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 |
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04 Jan 10 - 01:48 PM (#2803164) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST Yes he was 18, not 14 and he is not buried in this grave anyway! |
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04 Jan 10 - 01:58 PM (#2803181) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Den Mary Dillon does a great version of this song. |
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04 Jan 10 - 02:11 PM (#2803197) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Silas Yes he was 18, not 14 and he is not buried in this grave anyway! Sorry, this was me, (Justreset my cookies) |
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04 Jan 10 - 02:14 PM (#2803199) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST 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. |
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04 Jan 10 - 02:29 PM (#2803215) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Silas 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. |
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04 Jan 10 - 02:32 PM (#2803218) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Silas 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. |
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04 Jan 10 - 05:17 PM (#2803410) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Simon G 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. |
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04 Jan 10 - 05:21 PM (#2803418) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Silas No, the truth of John Condon is not too important, the truth of Patrick Fitzsimmons is though. |
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04 Jan 10 - 05:23 PM (#2803420) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,999 I'm confused. Are we still looking for anything on this thread? |
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04 Jan 10 - 05:26 PM (#2803425) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Rasener I'm confused, is Guest Stacey, Guest, who is Silas? |
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06 Jan 10 - 03:05 PM (#2805129) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST 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 |
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06 Jan 10 - 03:48 PM (#2805163) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Silas 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. |
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06 Jan 10 - 05:39 PM (#2805235) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Simon G The Belgian Royal Navy Orchestra and a Soprano singing John Condon. That would be something to experience, is it on video anywhere I wonder. |
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06 Jan 10 - 08:31 PM (#2805366) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST the royal navy sent me the audio of it - very different with a big arrangement . Dont think its available anywhere |
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06 Jan 10 - 08:41 PM (#2805372) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Louie Roy One of the best songs I ever heard paying tributes to all the American Soldier seving in WW1 is called GI Joe |
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08 Jan 10 - 07:25 PM (#2807081) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Jim Dixon 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. |
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09 Jan 10 - 11:31 AM (#2807520) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST 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 |
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09 Jan 10 - 11:38 AM (#2807523) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Backwoodsman 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. |
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22 Jan 10 - 04:13 AM (#2818266) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,WW1 Soldiers World War One Soldiers: Training, Trenches and Weapons: http://www.amazon.com/World-War-One-Soldiers-Training/dp/1449555349 |
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26 May 10 - 09:29 AM (#2914579) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,Janet Dowd 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 |
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26 May 10 - 10:00 AM (#2914591) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Rob Naylor 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! |
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16 Jun 11 - 06:32 AM (#3171351) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,Vivian the song's really nice, but its really sad that JC died at such a tender age.. |
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01 Nov 11 - 01:32 PM (#3248584) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,Philippa 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 71 268027. |
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01 Nov 11 - 04:55 PM (#3248743) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,John Condon I must learn this song!!! |
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09 Jul 13 - 01:34 PM (#3535536) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: Bearheart 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??? |
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08 Sep 13 - 09:04 AM (#3557128) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,Micky McNulty 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. |
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29 Sep 14 - 12:23 PM (#3664477) Subject: RE: Chord Req: John Condon (from Niamh Parsons) From: GUEST,x 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? |
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30 Oct 23 - 01:35 PM (#4184800) Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,Ray 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. |
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30 Oct 23 - 01:35 PM (#4191343) Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: John Condon - about WWI soldier From: GUEST,Ray 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. |