On our new CD (which is in being pressed as we speak) we do a song called "The Sligo Musketeers" which was probably written in the 1880's, but it was about a group of Sligo immigrant lads whose employment digging the Erie canal was interrupted by the American Civil War. Dan Milner (known on Mudcat as Liam's Brother) found the song in an old songster while researching his "The Irish In America" with Bob Conroy. He sent it to me and upon listening to it, could immediately tell that I had to record it. It came out wonderfully, and I think that you will feel the same. Mudcat is a wonderful place.

Here are the lyrics:

Oh, let ye stand from under now and open wide your ears
While I relate the story of the Sligo Musketeers
Sure when we landed on this soil, out West they made us go
And we worked at canaling on the O-hi-o

But when the war it did break out it took our jobs away
We organized a company and went into the fray
We fought the ragged rebels, boys, for many a weary day
But they couldn't bate the Sligo Musketeers

Chorus:

With our ha, ha, ha foot straw, we marched the plain
And many's the time we thought we'd never see our homes again
The rebels fought like devils but their fighting was in vain
For they couldn't bate the Sligo Musketeers

We fought with Banks and Burnside and with Grant we took a hack
But the best of all though he was small was gallant Little Mac
Faith, if they'd let him have his way he'd quickly drive them back
If assisted by the Sligo Musketeers
                           
Sure he knew how to engineer and likewise to command
No matter what your station was, he'd take you by the hand
He looked so noble on his horse when he was in command
Of us fighting boys, the Sligo Musketeers (CHORUS)
               
But now our leave of absence, boys, is very nearly spent
We'd ask ye all to have a smile but we're without a cent
On Erie shares and all such snares our money it is lent
It completely broke the Sligo Musketeers
                                    
We'll say, "Good evening one and all," your pardon too we crave
We did our duty manfully this country for to save
May the shamrock and the stars and stripes in triumph ever wave
O'er the fortunes of the Sligo Musketeers. (CHORUS X2)