I spoke with several people last night about this song. My friend Mike grew up near Athenry, not far from Oranmore. He says he recalls the song being very popular at dances or gatherings as far back as he can remember. He says he heard it first as a song in the late 1930's or early '40's, although his father played it as a tune on the violin and supposed it was at least 100 years old. He said the tunes mentioned were dance tunes, not songs. He never thought of it having any political significance.
I then spoke with my Irish Language teacher whose family is from Carna. She laughed at the suggestion that there was no political references in the song. She said that the melody that the GALWAY SHAWL are new words sung to an older melody and not to try to date it by the fact Mike's dad played it 100 years ago.
I then spoke to Máirín, Mary's mother, who was well acquainted with the song and she sang it right off. I asked her what she thought about the tunes. She said that THE BLACKBIRD, THE STACK OF BARLEY and RODNEY'S GLORY are dance tunes. She said that she thought THO FOGGY DEW was a song. She couldn't remeber the words right off, but the melody was THE STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN, otherwise known as KINGSFOLD(which has been used for probably 100's of songs).
Máirín gave a couple of interesting variations:
I met a cailín who was tall and handsome instead of I met a cailín she was young and handsome
...And play to please him a tune or two for And play to please him The Foggy Dew
...And Éireann's tears in her eyes of blue(Something similar to what Mickey's dad sang) instead of The tears they filled her eyes of blue.
I asked Máiín and Mary what exactly a Galway Shawl was, since I couldn't find anything but stuff being pushed at tourists regarding this. They said that there were 4 types of shawls worn in Galway. Three of them were black, white and grey. Máirín says there were candles(?) on them, or a cable like pattern and they were very heavy. One would never wer them indoors. They said they would bing a picture to me. I'd love to post it on Mudcat, but I don't know that kind of html. Max would probably disapprove as it would slow down most people's computers.
I'm taking time to do this, not in any attempt to prove I'm right. Evidence seems to point to this song being older than the common As down the glen one Easter morn to a city fair rode I... I originally thought. I just would like to know more about this song, how old it is its author if possible.