Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer

Subject: Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 30 May 99 - 03:23 AM

With the exception of Mick, whom I emailed directly, Frank and Joe, you both will be asking WHY????

Here's the story...Frank this should ring bells...Mick, here's the egg...Joe, you'll soon understand...

I have been on a mission since my Great-Aunt died in 1994 to find the lyrics and music to a song she had sung and told me about (I had never learned it from her and the only tape recording of her singing it was lost). Her Dad, my Great-Grandfather, Kerney McCarthy, had always called it McCarthy's Mare...

My dearest friend, Mick, posted to Mudcat in September. (I had not discovered the discussion forum at that time.) Frank, you replied with the lyrics...I was thrilled when Mick emailed them to me! And when I read them over the phone to my Mom...we were both so happy! (That's an understatement!)

Joe,now comes your role...I just finished checking out Lester Levy's site, which you posted the URL to in the School Days thread, and that is where I found 2 copies of the music!!!!!!!!!! The ellusive mare was hiding under the title The Runaway Mare. It is dated 1875!

I am going to surprise my Mom with print-outs of the music! I can't wait til she gets it!

My quest is over! Thanks to the three of you!

Muchly overjoyed, (another understatement)

Mary

Subject: RE: Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 30 May 99 - 08:53 PM

Mary,
How come I haven't had an email to this effect....
I haven't checked my inbox yet since signing on so you will forgive my umbridge if it's unfounded.. GLAWJ..
This has made my day
Mick

Subject: RE: Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer
From: Frank Maher
Date: 30 May 99 - 09:37 PM

You're Welcome Mary...Any Time!!!!1

Subject: Lyr Add: THE RUNAWAY MARE (J. P. Skelly)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 07:07 PM

Looks like Mary got what she wanted nearly 5 years ago, but I think it's worthwhile to have this posted here where others can find it.

Transcribed from the sheet music images at The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music:

THE RUNAWAY MARE
(J. P. Skelly, 1875.)

We started for the fair, with spirits light and hearty,
Behind McCarthy's mare. Oh, it was a lively party!
You never saw the likes of it. Believe me, what I say!
Sure we had a roaring racket, but the mare she ran away.

CHORUS: Off she wint! Off she wint! Be gob, I wasn't worth a cint!
The sate was jist as hard as flint behind McCarthy's mare!
"Hould her in!" McCarthy cried. "Stop her!" says McCue.
I thought I'd shake to pieces as along the road we flew!
Me head was swimming like a top. Me heart was in dispair.
The divil himself was in the wheels behind McCarthy's mare!

The mare kicked up behind and struck ould Patsy Fagan.
He fell upon the ground and all his bones were achin'.
The cart was knocked to "smithereens" and we were all astray.
Sure I thought I'd never live to tell of the mare that ran away!

McCarthy held the reins, and Murphy held McCarthy,
But whiskey filled their brains, and made them wild and hearty.
Maloney tumbled out behind, and there we let him lay.
Sure I offered to assist him, but the mare she ran away!

Me dacent coat was tore. Me hat was left behind me.
I rattled and I swore, and I thought the dust would blind me.
In holes and ditches wint the wheels. O, murther! Such a day!
Sure meself was kilt intirely with the mare that ran away!

Subject: RE: Many Thanx.. (from 1999 thread) An Update
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 08 Nov 13 - 12:30 PM

In 1999 I had help from fellow mudcatters in finding lyrics and ultimately sheet music for the song The Runaway Mare! (see my original thread in this conversation above). The story got even better last year when my 2nd cousin found the audio recording of our Great-Aunt singing what she could remember of the song which she learned from her father!

Thanks again Mudcat Cafe!

Subject: RE: Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer
From: gnu
Date: 08 Nov 13 - 12:35 PM

Such a wonderful resource Mudcat is!

Subject: RE: Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer
From: maeve
Date: 08 Nov 13 - 01:12 PM

Mary/SingsIrish Songs,

Thank you for stopping by twice to say thank you, and to tell us the "rest of the story"! All too often, Mudcatters help someone but never hear a thanks or know if their work was helpful. You've made my day.

Subject: RE: Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer
From: michaelr
Date: 09 Nov 13 - 11:27 AM

Can the song be heard anywhere online? I don't read sheet music.

Subject: RE: Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer
From: maeve
Date: 09 Nov 13 - 05:02 PM

I haven't found an online sound file yet, michaelr.

Subject: RE: Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 17 Nov 13 - 05:04 AM

I'll have to find out if there is a way to upload/submit a midi file on here. I created one from the sheet music awhile back.

Subject: RE: Many Thanx Mick Lowe, Frank Maher & Joe Offer
From: maeve
Date: 17 Nov 13 - 05:11 AM

SingsIrish Songs-
You can email the midi to [e-mail]. He'll put in a link.