My band is finishing up a new CD and it seemed prudent to check out The Fox agency for license rights. One of the many chestnuts we've decided to record is a Tommy Makem tune. Since Tommy's litigious nature is well known when it comes to his songs I checked the listing of his songs to see what he had written.

Imagine my surprise when Fox informs me that Tommy Makem is listed as the author of "Jock 'O'Hazeldean", "Tell My Ma", "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye", Killie Burn Brae,", "The Sailor Cut Down In His Prime", and many others.

When I pulled up the license listing for "Jock 'O' Hazeldean" Tommy Makem is clearly listed as the author of the song.

What gives here? Is this correct or am I not nuts and "Jock" is truly a very old song.

Or has Tommy rights to authorship of an arrangement and thats what is listed in the license agreement.

Don