Origins: The Sprig of Shillelagh

Subject: RE: Origins: The Sprig of Shillelagh
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Feb 26 - 12:33 AM

There's a page on the melody here:
https://thesession.org/tunes/2216

I may be wrong, but to me, part A sounds like "Did You Ever See a Lassie?" and part B sounds like "Go in and out the Window."

Subject: RE: Origins: sprig of shellaleagh (sp)
From: Lighter
Date: 08 Feb 26 - 08:49 PM

It's all right here:

https://archive.org/details/AHistoryOfIrelandV1/page/319/mode/2up?q=%22tara%27s+old+green%22

Subject: Origins: sprig of shellalagh (sp)
From: Julia
Date: 08 Feb 26 - 08:15 PM

Can anyone help me find more lyrics and info about this song? Thanks

The Sprig of Shillelagh
Eileen Finnemore of Portland, Maine.
Recorded November 4, 1941 by Eloise Linscott
AFC 1942/002:SR126B

Did you hear of the meeting on Tara's old green?
Thousands of Irishmen there to be seen,
With their sprig of shillelagh and shamrock so green.

O'Connell was there and he spoke to them all
He stood on the ruins of Tara's old wall
And he called for the faithful to kneel on the sod
That covered the heroes who fought for their God
Their country, their freedom, and shamrock so green.

The captain stood palsied before the great sight
For he knew that they stood for the right,
And he knew that the hearts of the loyal and brave
Would never submit to the chain of the slave.

Subject: Folklore: The Sprig of Shillelagh
From: Paul Burke
Date: 22 Jan 24 - 02:17 PM

Browsing the OS Ireland collection of historic maps just now, I found, just outside Shillelagh town, near the former railway station, "Sprig of Shillelagh (Site of)". Written in the mediaeval- style letters used to denote a historic site, it indicates a spot on the opposite bank of the River Derry from the station, and was accessible via a footbridge.


The Sprig of Shillelagh is a tune perhaps better known here as The Black Joke, but I can't find any reference to it as a historical p[lace. Does anyone know the story behind this- or was it a folklore confection designed to boost the offensive weapon industry that still appears to flourish in the town?