I was searching the web for other versions of the Old Oak Tree, a murder ballad I collected from JOHN MAGUIRE in 1967?,(a great singer and man from Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh - - Check out his life story and songs collated by my privileged self. I can happily boast about it because I collated it in John's own words, and as I have already said he was a great singer and man. It has recently been republished by Routledge.

Anyway google came up with lots of versions including mention of the song in a thread asking for suggestions for the Saddest Murder Ballads and found mention of the song put forward for the crown by Guest,Chris B
on 16 Aug 2008 and noting that he had hears on Boys of the Lough, sung by Cathal McConnell. As a proud co-founder, with Cathal, of the BotL it was pleased. I was doubly pleased, as it was me who was the singer, to be mistaken for Cathal - I quite simply view him as one of the best ballad singers (along with the late John Maguire)that I have known.! I hope you enjoyed the rest of the album Chris.