I spent the morning in the main Libuary in Newport.

"The Bells of Hell" does not appear in any of the major antholgies of the Songs, or poems of the First World War.

Quotations from it appear as book titles, or prefaces, but none that I can find that were published pre 1945.

Sussane (skw) - You may be right when you attribute the definitrive vision to Behan. It would not be the first time a "modern song" has aquired an artificial history.

I think, but can not prove, "Fiddlers Green" was a fairly modern song. Can anybody comment on this ?

One thing that did strike me is that much of the "trench folk" songs seemed to have their origin in Childrens songs or hymns, adapted by the Tommy Aitkens to express thier feelings and frustrations.

Again can M'Catters comment - or should this be a theme for a new thread ?

Gareth