It was Gabriel McArtle that sang Sweet William's Town.

He sang another song which I have as untitled but, judging by the lyrics, is probably called Bessie of Rossimore Hill (again, spelling?). I was drawn to the song by the rhyming of the words celestial and terrestrial in about the eighth verse (fourteen verses in the song). Anyone familiar with this song? I'd like to get the words right for this. I'm pretty sure this isn't in the DT (I did some searching this time) so here's what I've got of the song:

Untitled
Gabriel McArtle [Singing Workshop at Willie Clancy Festival, Ireland, 1984]

By the sweet river (Nanny?) in the great summer season
Where the weather is fine and the meadows bloom
The small birds sang quietly and everything most pleasant
Which coaxed me for to wander away from my loom
Oh, I carelessly did stray by a lonely plantation
For to view a fair one some time I stood still
Se equaled bright Flora in her lofty station
And she's Bessie, the beauty of Rossimore Hill

With the most admiration I did gaze upon Bessie
Her eyes were as bright as the dew on the Rhine
...was never so handsome or pretty
As she when she wandered down by the wood side
Now I eagerly longed to get in conversation
With that matchless fair one who had me enthralled
And I courted with great humiliation
And I spoke with Miss Bessie from Rossimore Hill

Oh, darling, then really, please pardon my folly
For daring to speak to a Goddess, you know
And pity a slave that's in deep melancholy
And is struck down by Cupid, I'll tell you such woe
Your glance and appearance has my heart attracted
You may kill or cure me but I'm here at your will
This killing affection has me most attracted
My Bessie, my beauty, of Rossimore Hill

She said then, young man, you must stop your intrusion
On some other fair one perhaps you mistreat
And I here desire that you'll make a conclusion
For I will not be flattered, I'll tell you quite plain
You know I'm no Goddess, nor nearly celestial
But a poor peasant's daughter that lives near the mill
So banter no longer and treat me terrestrial
Said Bessie, my beauty, from Rossimore Hill

I said then, fair maiden, I am no deceiver
And the words I express are the thoughts of my mind
And for to be candid, I am only a weaver
Though future in life, I'll be constant and kind
I seek your affection and care not for money
That littering trash, sure, that will not coax will
My heart's near your bosom, accept it, my honey
My Bessie, my beauty, from Rossimore Hill

She said then, young man, you do speak with some reason
And I cannot slight you at all for being poor
And I'm happy since poverty it is not high treason
For wealth unto any man is never secure
Till I see my parents, I can give you no answer
But I wish evermore my commands they'll fulfill
And to proceed further is only romancing
Said Bessie, my beauty, of Rossimore Hill

Well, I bid her goodbye and I parted with Bessie
I watched her cross Bowl (?) Mountain, an enchanted place
And the most hardened tyrant I'm sure would me pity
If he was aware of my heart-wrenching kiss
So now I'll go home and apply to my shuttle
I'll use my exertions, my heart and my skill
And unto blind Cupid, I mean to do battle
For he wounded me sorely on Rossimore Hill

Richard