Mudcat Community--

I am a long-time lurker at this site, but a first-time poster. I’m writing a grad-school paper and I’m looking for lyrics.

The paper is on Irish church history in the 19th century, and I’m trying to find Irish folk music, more or less of the 19th century, whose lyrics make reference to church in people’s lives (which might be lyrics about faith, Catholic, Protestant, religion, parish, priest, bishop, rosaries, God—I’m not picky). Basically any folk song that indicates people’s interaction with their local, regional, national or international church or religion.

So my boundaries are:
1. Irish
2. Folk song
3. The long 19th century (after the French Revolution, before John Kennedy’s presidency)
4. Including some reference, however oblique, to church

Songs from before the 19th century offer some background possibilities; “The Muster of the North” comes from the 17th century and will play some role in the final paper.

I’m happy to share some more details if anybody has some lyrics in their head, or is simply curious.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, and thanks for having the community you have.

p.s. For reference, here are some songs I’ve found and why they made the cut:

“Spancil Hill”
Michael Considine, 1870
Relevance: “That Father Dan was coming his duty to fulfill, At the parish church of Clooney, just one mile from Spancilhill.”

“Boolavogue”
Patrick Joseph McCall, 1898
Relevance: song about Father Murphy, priest who became a hero in the rebellion of 1798.

“Lament of the Irish Emigrant”
Helen Selina (Lady) Dufferin/George Barker, 1850
Relevance: “Tis but a step down yonder lane, the village Church stands near / The place where we were wed, Mary, I can see the spire from here.”

"Kilkelly, Ireland"
Peter Jones, 1983, with source material from 1860-1890
Relevance: “And we buried him alongside of mother, down at the Kilkelly churchyard.”