I have a cd called "Common Ground" - a mixture of trad and new Irish songs performed by irish singers in Ireland or around the world. One of the songs is called "Mary of the South Seas" performed by the Finn Brothers. It's attributed to "trad" but it does sound as though the words have been changed (two big hints: the couplets don't rhyme, and as far as I can tell "trad" songs are usually pretty regular in that regard AND it mentions a phone call).

Does anyone know anything about the song - where it came from, etc?

The song starts:

She boarded the boat a long time ago It opened her up to the world But time goes so slowly you won't see it pass A phone call from Dublin, I'm with you at last.

I'd be happy for any comments!

many thanks

Callie