Spancil Hill

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: GUEST,shasrobnewell
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 02:52 PM

what a great site, spancil hill is one of the most moving songs, anyone who has ever left ireland, and left a sweetheart behind will easily identify with the song, i think we all have a spancil hill in our hearts, good luck and thanks ROB

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: Alice
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 12:07 PM

Here's a link to the "original" Spancil Hill thread for those who have not read it. There are 103 messages on it, so best not to make more. Please read it even if it takes a bit to load on your computer. The story of how the original lyrics and the author came to light on the Mudcat is really wonderful.

the original lyrics of Spancil Hill - click here

Alice

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: Big Mick
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 10:34 AM

Fabulous addendum to what is IMHO, the very best Mudcat thread ever written. To those of you who are new to the Mudcat, please check out the original Spancil Hill thread. You will then know why Frank McGrath and George Henderson (whom I had the great good fortune to meet) are revered and respected posters in these precincts. Good to see your names up in lights, lads. And one day soon I will be in Ireland and repaying your generosity.

All the best,

Big Mick

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: GUEST,George Henderson
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 06:48 AM

Yes. Spancil Hill fair falls on a Sunday every 6 years or thereabouts. When that happens the fair is deferred to the following day - Monday.

The song was written in 1872 without doubt. The author was well dead by 1878.

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: Brakn
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 05:30 AM

Frank, I know the song was written in the 1870's. There is one other possible year when the 23rd fell on a Sunday, 1878.

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 09:50 PM

Not, Mrzz. Besides, I get creeps from several songs.

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 08:48 PM

Too cool. But am I the only one who gets the creeps from that name? Despite the, um, haunting beauty of the song?

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: Frank McGrath
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 07:17 PM

Good man George,
But cars have no place in Spancil hill on 23rd June as I found out to my cost 15 years ago - and it IS much worse now. You won't even find parking in Clooney.

But here's an interesting ditty. George and Robbie McMahon pointed out an interesting peculiarity to me in "The Song" a couple of years ago. The actual date of the Spancil Hill fair is 23rd june. But the song states;

6th verse line 1
"It being on the twenty third of June, the day before the fair"
& 4th verse line 1
"It being on a Sabbath morning, I thought I heard a bell"

The reason that the 23rd June was "the day before the fair" and not the actual day of the fair, as it would normally be, was because 23rd June was a "Sabbath morning". There was no way that the fair would be held on a Sunday.

So I delved a little deeper and low and behold but in 1872, June 23rd occurred on Sunday. This ties in exactly with Robbie's history of the song as handed down to him by the author's nephew, John Considine.

Robbie was quite chuffed to find this out as it had never occurred to him to check.

Frank

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: Jed at Work
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 12:04 PM

thanks for your 'postcard' comments - hope to see for myself one day.

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: Alice
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 11:59 AM

Thanks for the update, George. Are there any photos of Spancil Hill fair on the internet?

Alice

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: GUEST,George Henderson
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 11:55 AM

Spancil Hill fair gets bigger and bigger and the number of horses and donkies are increasing year by year. A wonderful event and Robbie McMahon is still belting out the original version of the song.

I passed through last Friday with difficulty - a wonderful sight.

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 25 Jun 99 - 03:57 AM

I think that because of that wonderful thread, Spancil Hill has become kind of a subconscious metaphor for heaven here on the 'Cat. --seed

Subject: RE: Spancil Hill
From: Alice
Date: 24 Jun 99 - 12:46 PM

Amazing. Thanks, George.

Subject: Spancil Hill
From: George Henderson - Nenagh Singers Circle
Date: 24 Jun 99 - 05:03 AM

I travelled through the famed Spancil Hill last night on my weekly sojourn to the sea.

The fair was still in full spate with people, horses and horse boxes, asses and ginnets everywhere. It was like a scene from old history books with farmers slapping each others hands as they bargained.

Duggans pub was packed and Gardai (That's Irish for police) were trying very hard, and with spectacular failure, to control traffic, people and horses in that order.

I did not meet the famed Robbie McMahon but I am sure he was giving forth in the usual manner.

Just thought that Catters would like to know that the fair continues.

George