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Lyr Add: Macafferee DigiTrad: MCCASSERY |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: GUEST,henryp Date: 02 Feb 21 - 04:41 PM The Rambling Soldier by Roy Palmer (1977) has an eight page chapter entitled McCafferty. "What a Lovely War!" by Roy Palmer (1990) has a three page chapter entitled McCaffery. He includes 12 verses from a manuscript book of songs compiled in India in 1937 by William Blackmore, a clerk in the 1st Devonshire Regiment. It was set to the tune of The Croppy Boy/Lord Franklin. Here is some further background to the story of McCaffery; Mutiny at Fulwood Barracks Preston had a significant Catholic population. Another factor that swayed public sympathy towards McCaffery was the memory of the Preston Strike of 1842, which led to troops opening fire on the crowd of cotton workers, causing the death of four. Preston Strike 1842 |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: Charmion Date: 02 Feb 21 - 08:42 AM I have sung “McCaffery” my entire adult life; it’s not what I’d call a party piece, but certainly a show-stopper with the right audience. I learned it from the Ewan McColl album “Bless ‘em All”, and adjusted my version over the years as I learned more details of the story. I’m very grateful for this information. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: Lighter Date: 02 Feb 21 - 08:05 AM Thanks for the link, henry. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: GUEST,henryp Date: 02 Feb 21 - 12:45 AM Fulwood Barracks in Preston was the last and largest of a chain of barracks built in the North West in the wake of the Chartist riots of the 1830s. The barracks - which houses the Lancashire Infantry Museum as well as being a working barracks - had been slated for closure in 2022. However, the MoD has now announced that it will not shut until 2027. The MoD said it was an "Updated disposal date following detailed work to assess the optimum laydown required to support operational capability." (Lancashire Evening Post) I don't think they were quite ready. A fearful tragedy We had the pleasure of walking to the Museum with Roy Palmer and his wife Pat. It was my task to go through the newspaper records in the Harris Library looking for reports of events that Roy had found recorded in songs. The book The Old Lamb and Flag - The Songs and Story of Preston and its Guild has a nine verse version from the singing of Bill McAlister of Ashton, Preston in 1968. It is broadly similar to Ewan MacColl's version above, but with four lines missing. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: Joe Offer Date: 01 Feb 21 - 07:00 PM Needs cleanup Sung by Jim Lucas at the singaround. The version of McCafferty that Jim Lucas sang is the one on this Mudcat thread: https://mudcat.org/Detail.CFM?messages__Message_ID=1113642 |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: GUEST,padgett Date: 16 Jun 04 - 04:24 AM As Malcolm says it's a true story and research made I believe in Liverpool newspapers and recorded by Roy Palmer A very wide spread nsong by army personnel, first heard from Dave Burland and set of words in MCColls 'Sing Island' I sing this one as well and have it on demo CD, as well as others |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: mooman Date: 16 Jun 04 - 04:11 AM Dear Guest Tom Smith, The version of the verses I sing about the soldiers' children goes: One pleasant evening in the month of May Some soldiers' children came out to play My captain came and he said to me Go and take their names young McCaffery I took one name instead of three With neglect of duty they then charged me Confined to barracks with loss of pay For doing me duty the opposite way Hope this helps, Peace moo |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: Lanfranc Date: 16 Jun 04 - 03:44 AM My favourite version of this is the one by Martin Winsor on his "Troubadour" album with Redd Sullivan. Martin sang "While standing sentry go one day, three officers' children came out to play....". There may be other variations, I'll have a listen and post again if there is anything that might be of interest. Time I learned this song!! Alan |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: GUEST,Phil Date: 15 Jun 04 - 11:24 PM As I recall, the words and tune are in AL Lloyd's book Folksongs Of England. I think Lloyd gives a first verse that does not appear in any of the versions above |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: GUEST,Tom Smith Date: 15 Jun 04 - 11:43 AM I never knew this was based on a true story. Thanks for the info. The version I remember from over 40 years ago had a little difference in one verse where 'some soldiers' children came out to play'. I don't remember exactly but he was to take their names for 'disturbing people's peace'. Anybody know that verse ? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: Folkiedave Date: 12 Feb 04 - 04:12 PM There are a number of versions of this song placing it in various places - the jail also various - the assizes also various. A.E. (Tony) Green wrote extensively on the song in "Lore and Language" August 1970, but clearly at that time was not aware of the Preston Mercury references. Dave www.collectorsfolk.co.uk |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: Dead Horse Date: 11 Feb 04 - 12:55 AM Here is a link that gives correct lyric and facts about the case, including its use as a regimental anthem!!! http://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/m/mccaffer.html |
Subject: Lyr Add: McCAFFERTY From: Lighter Date: 10 Feb 04 - 07:05 PM Here's how I learned it, mostly from Ewan MacColl's "Bless 'em All" LP (ca.1958). Tune is "The Croppy Boy" (alias "Lord Franklin," etc.). McCAFFERTY When I was scarcely eighteen years of age, To join the army I did engage; I left the fact'ry with good intent, To join the 42nd Regiment. To Fullwood Barracks I then did go To serve a short period in that depot; But out of trouble I could not be, For Captain Hansen took a dislike to me. While standing sentry out one day, Some soldiers' children came out to play; I took one's name, but not all three - And with neglect of all duty he did charge me. In the barracks court-room I did appear, But Captain Hansen my sad story would not hear; The sentence it was quickly signed, And to Fullwood Barracks I was then confined. For fourteen weeks and fifteen days The sentence rose and turned my brain; To shoot my captain dead on sight Was all that I resolved to do each night. I saw him standing in the barracks square, A-walking arm in arm with Colonel Blair; I raised my rifle, and fired to kill: I shot my poor colonel against my will. I did the deed, I shed the blood, And at Liverpool Assizes my trial I stood. The judge he says, "McCafferty, Prepare yourself for the gallows tree." I had no father to take my part, I had no loving mother for to break her heart; I had one friend, and a girl was she - She'd lay down her life for McCafferty. Now all young soldiers take a warning by me: Don't have nothing to do with the British Army. For only lies and tyranny Have made a murderer out of McCafferty! In Liverpool City this poor boy died. In Strangways Manchester his body lies. Now all good people who do pass by, Go shed a tear for McCafferty! Dan Milner has another version in his great book "A Bonnie Bunch of Roses." |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 10 Feb 04 - 05:28 PM The set in Roy Palmer's book came from you, didn't it? |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 10 Feb 04 - 05:20 PM Forgot to add - I learned it as 'McCafferty'. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 10 Feb 04 - 05:19 PM I learned this in the Royal Artillery in 1951. I've been singing it ever since (I've recorded it twice) and still find it powerful and moving. It was the first traditional song I ever heard 'in situ' and it started off my love of British traditional music. I too was told that it was a punishable offence to sing it publicly in the army. Last week I sang it at the Darlington Folk Workshop, where it wrought it's magic once again. A great song. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 10 Feb 04 - 04:40 PM For the full story, see Roy Palmer, The Rambling Soldier, Penguin Books, 1977, pp 119-126. McCaffrey was executed on Saturday 11 January 1862, in front of Kirkdale Gaol in Liverpool. There has long been a strong and persistent rumour that singing this song was at some time or other a serious disciplinary offense in the Army, but there seems to be no evidence that that is anything other than folklore. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: GUEST,Henryp Date: 10 Feb 04 - 04:21 PM The soldier was called Patrick McCaffery and posted to Fulwood barracks. The song exists under a number of variations of his name. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: MartinRyan Date: 10 Feb 04 - 01:58 PM There's a version in the DT as "Mccassery" and, i suspect, a few others lying around somewhere! Regards |
Subject: Lyr Add: Macafferee From: Billy Weeks Date: 10 Feb 04 - 01:54 PM I mentioned this in my brief posting to the 'odd time signatures' thread and only noticed afterwards that there is no version in Digitrad. This 'Macafferee' is as I learnt it about 50 years ago. I have heard it often since, always sung to the tune of 'Lord Franklin' . This version is basically 'Lord Franklin', but as you will see from the line lengths, it is sung very freely, with many changes of time signature. It was widely believed (probably correctly) in the Army, even in my time, that it was a chargeable offence to be heard singing 'Macafferee'. When I was only eighteen years of age Into the army I did engage I left my job with a good intent To join the forty second regiment To Derby barracks I then did go To serve out my time at that depot But from trouble and blame I was never free My captain took a great dislike to me As in that place I stood on guard one day Some soldier's children came out to play From the officers' quarters my captain came And ordered me to take their parents' name Obediently his wish I did fulfil But I solemnly did it against my will With loaded rifle I did prepare To shoot my captain on the barrack square On the barrack square I took most deadly aim Took deadly aim on the barrack square It was my captain I meant to kill But I shot my colonel against my will At the very next assizes my trial quite soon I stood I did the deed, I shed his blood- The judge then said 'Macafferee Prepare yourself for the gallows tree' I have no father alive to take my part I have no loving mother to break her heart But I have one friend and a girl is she Who'd lay down her life to save Macafferee My captain then to the witness box stood nigh All in his wickedness he did lie He did declare on a solemn oath That I had long time sworn to kill them both So all young officers be rul-ed now by me Treat all your men with some decency For it was lies and perjury That caused the hanging of Macafferee Any other versions known to Catters? |
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