Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Crystal Date: 25 Nov 04 - 09:38 AM I agree the songs are similar. Both animals come from ireland, both are not favoured in the betting, both talk to their owner/the other animal in the race, both win. Probably have the same roots! |
Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Snuffy Date: 25 Nov 04 - 09:23 AM Master McGrath can't be earlier than 1869, Mick. |
Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: GUEST,mick Date: 25 Nov 04 - 08:52 AM The song seems to be related to Skewball (stewball in US) about a racing horse. Skewball has the horses talking to each other in the same way as the dogs do in Master Mcgrath. I don't know which song came first. |
Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Snuffy Date: 25 Nov 04 - 08:50 AM The version given above by Joe is almost identical to the Dubliners' recording I have (but they omit the penultimate verse). Their tune is NOT Villikins. |
Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha Date: 25 Nov 04 - 06:09 AM Joe, An article in the Lurgan Mail some years ago gave the author as Henry McCusker of Lurgan, a relation of McCusker`s, now 82 years old, reminded me on many occasions that Henry wrote the words. And Joe do add the second verse on the DT. |
Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 25 Nov 04 - 03:47 AM I recall that our own Kevin McGrath of Harlow believes the eponymous dog was named for his grandfather. |
Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Joe Offer Date: 25 Nov 04 - 03:36 AM Thanks a lot, Ard Mhacha - I thought there ought to be a songwriter attribution somewhere. Where's you find it? -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha Date: 25 Nov 04 - 03:28 AM Joe, The song was acreddited to Henry McCusker Lurgan, Circa 1880. |
Subject: ADD Version: Master McGrath From: Joe Offer Date: 25 Nov 04 - 02:32 AM The version in the Digital Tradition is from The Irish Songbook by the Clancy Brothers (Oak Publications, 1979). here are the background notes:
The version in Sam Henry's Songs of the People has 11 verses (the Clancys have 8). The Sam Henry book notes that M'Grath is pronounced M'Gra' - but we knew that, didn't we? It also says that Lord Lurgan's family name is Brownlow. Here 'tis: A Ballad of Master M'Gra[th] (no source given) Eighteen sixty-nine being the date of the year When the Waterloo sportsmen once more did appear To win the great prize and bear it awa' From the champion of Ireland, our Master M'Grath. On the twelfth of November, a day of renown, M'Grath and his keeper they left Lurgan town, A gale on the channel soon drove them o'er, On the thirteenth they landed on fair England's shore. When they arrived in big London town, All the great English sportsmen were gathered around, One of the gentlemen laughed a 'Ha ha! Is that the great dog you call Master M'Grath?' Then one of the gentlemen standing around Said, 'What about you and your Irish greyhound? For you and your greyhounds we don't care a straw, And will humble the pride of your Master M'Grath.' Lord Lurgan stepped forward and said, 'Gentlemen, If any amongst you have money to spend, For your great English greyhounds I don't care a straw, Here's five thousand to one upon Master M'Grath.' M'Grath he looked up and he wagged his big tail, Informing his lordship, 'I know you'll not fail; So, noble Brownlow, don't fear them ava', We'll tarnish their laurels,' said Master M'Grath. Then Rose was uncovered - - the great English pride - - M'Grath and his keeper, they stood side by side; The hare was let loose, the crowd cheered, 'Hurrah! There's the pride of old England against Master M'Grath.' As Rose and the Master they both ran along, Said Rose, 'I wonder what took you from home; You should have stopped on your Irish domains And not come to gain laurels on Albion's plains.' Said M'Grath, 'I know we have wild heather bogs, But you'll find in old Ireland both good men and dogs, So, hold on, Britannia, give none of your jaw And stick that up your nostrils, said Master M'Grath. The hare led off with a beautiful view, And swift as the wind o'er the green fields she flew; Rose gave the first turn according to law, But the second was given by Master M'Grath. M'Grath ran ahead as fast as the wind, He was sometimes before and sometimes behind, Then he jumped on the hare's back and held up his paw, 'Three cheers for ould Ireland,' said Master M'Grath. |
Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Joe Offer Date: 25 Nov 04 - 01:59 AM Of course, it certainly would be worthwhile to explore the song right here at Mudcat. Here's the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index: Master McGrathDESCRIPTION: The great Irish greyhound wins the Waterloo Cup, beating Rose, "the pride of all England." (The two dogs discuss their respective countries. The owners bet large sums. The Irish celebrate the fact that their dog was better than an English dog.)AUTHOR: unknown EARLIEST DATE: 1926 (Sam Henry collection) KEYWORDS: racing dog gambling HISTORICAL REFERENCES: 1868, 1869, 1871 - Years in which Master McGrath, a hound belonging to Lord Lurgan, won the Waterloo Cup FOUND IN: Ireland REFERENCES (6 citations): SHenry H161c, pp. 32-33, "A Ballad of Master M'Gra[th]" (1 text, 1 tune) Hodgart, p. 215, "A ballad of Master McGrath" (1 text) OLochlainn 33, "Master McGrath" (1 text, 1 tune) Hayward-Ulster, pp. 61-62, "A Ballad of Master McGrath" (1 text) DT, MASMCGR* Richard Hayward, Ireland Calling (Glasgow,n.d.), p. 16, "The Ballad of Master McGrath" (text, music and reference to Decca F-2604 recorded Oct 4, 1931) Roud #3041 Notes: The date and master id (GB-3359) for Hayward's record is provided by Bill Dean-Myatt, MPhil. compiler of the Scottish National Discography. - BS File: Hodg215 Go to the Ballad Search form The Ballad Index Copyright 2007 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. Here's the entry from folktrax.org (which is admittedly hard to understand): MASTER McGRATH - "1869 being the date of the year, when the Waterloo sportsmen and more did appear" Champions of England against racing greyhound from Ireland - ROUD#3041 - HENRY SOP #161 - O'LOCHLAINN ISB 1939 pp66-7 Dublin - Cathal O BYRNE AIRO 1946 pp161-3 Notes about the race and the greyhound - O KEEFE FBIB 1955 p48 11v w/o - McCOLL-SEEGER 1986 p277 Sheila McGregor, Blairgowrie, Perthsh - Parody on this song see ARTHUR BOND -- Dominic BEHAN with Robin HALL (gtr): COLLECTOR JEI-1 1958 (45EP)/ (acc): TOPIC 12-TPS-145 1966 - John CORRY rec by James Foley, Castlederg, Tyrone 1985: 178 |
Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Peace Date: 25 Nov 04 - 01:34 AM GUEST, Max If you Google "Master McGrath" history you will find three sites on the first Google page you're taken to that may answer your questions. |
Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: MASTER McGRATH (from Noel Murphy) From: GUEST,Soundcatcher Date: 24 Nov 04 - 11:32 PM As Snuffy so rightly deduced the song referred to is indeed Master McGrath, however, I fear that in popularising folk music the Clancy's did seem to lose a verse here and there.
Here follows a very slightly different and more complete version along with chords that Noel Murphy has sung for many many years MASTER McGRATH
Am G Am
On the twelfth of December, that year of renown,
And when they arrived there in big London town,
And one of these gents from his nose looking down,
Lord Lurgan stepped forward and said: “Gentlemen,
Well, McGrath he looked up and he wagged his old tail
There stood Rose of England, the Saxon's great pride.
As Rose and the Master they both ran along,
“Now I know,” says McGrath, “we have wild heather bogs,
The hare she ran on with a wonderful view
McGrath paced the hare just as fast as the wind. |
Subject: Origins to: Master McGrath From: GUEST,Max Date: 24 Nov 04 - 10:35 PM "Snuffy has kindly steered me toward the words to "Master McGrath". For my liner notes, what is the story behind the song? Max |
Subject: RE: info reqd: Villikins and his Dinah song From: Snuffy Date: 23 Nov 04 - 07:43 PM The song is Master McGrath Messages from multiple threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread. |
Subject: info reqd: greyhounds/Villikins and his Dinah song From: GUEST,Max Date: 23 Nov 04 - 07:32 PM There is a song I heard a long time ago that I'm sure was about greyhounds or greyhound racing or someone who had an event with a greyhound. Anyway, greyhounds featured in the lyrics.It was sung to the tune, Villikins(?) and his Dinah.Please post lyrics if you know them. Thankyou Max |
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