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12 Jan 06 - 11:02 AM (#1647031) Subject: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith From: Fleadhman 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. |
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12 Jan 06 - 04:08 PM (#1647168) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith From: David Ingerson I'll see what I can find when I get home. David |
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12 Jan 06 - 05:41 PM (#1647224) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith From: Fleadhman Thank you David. All help welcome. Seamus |
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13 Jan 06 - 05:07 PM (#1648130) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith From: David Ingerson 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 |
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17 Jan 06 - 02:34 PM (#1650340) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith From: GUEST,Fleadhman 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 |
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17 Jan 06 - 05:39 PM (#1650431) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith From: MartinRyan 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? |
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12 Mar 21 - 01:13 PM (#4097333) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith From: GUEST,# 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 |
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12 Mar 21 - 02:56 PM (#4097353) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: O Rourke the Blacksmith From: GUEST,# 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). |