The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #1445   Message #31254
Posted By: Brad
24-Jun-98 - 12:16 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Pat of Mullingar/The Man from Mullingar
Subject: RE: LYR ADD: The man from Mullingar (+RA)
In case you didn't know, the line "when Ireland takes her place among the nations of the world" is lifted from Robert Emmet's speech from the dock while being tried for his role in the United Irishmen's Rising of 1798. To paraphrase: "When Ireland takes her place among the nations of the world, then let them write my epitaph..." Thought it only appropriate to mention since this is the 200th Anniversary of the event, and I think it is important (and interesting) to learn the underlying history behind the songs.

By the way, in one of his books, William Safire cited Emmet's defense as one of the greatest speeches of all time.