Origins: Johnson's Motor Car

Subject: Johnson's Motor Car
From: ChrisE
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 03:04 PM

Hi

I got another song that I have to analize.... I need some background information about "Johnson's Motor Car". I already have some but it might not be enough.....thanx

ChrisE

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Reiver 2
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 06:18 PM

It's an Irish "rebel" song, about an IRA contingent who tricked Dr. Johnson (not a rebel sympathizer) and commandeered his car to provide themselves with transportation to their assembly point at Dunbar. I don't know the historicity of the event. Whether Dr. Johnson was a real person, whether the event actually happened or not, etc.? I very much suspect that it was based on an actual incident, but don't know for sure. Perhaps someone from the area can tell us -- I'd really like to know. I can provide the words, but surely they must be in the Mudcat data base. A great, rollicking song. I learned it from an Irish group called The Johnstons -- a family group (brothers/sisters) I believe. There again any clarification would be appreciated. Some fantastic harmonies, not to mention banjo picking on that recording!

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Reiver 2
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 06:25 PM

Just checked and, yes it's in the data base -- same words that I have. Don't know how to set up one of those little blue clicky thingys, but just type in Johnson's Motor Car in the "search" box and you'll get it. Hope someone can enlighten us on the background of the song as to how much of it really happened.

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 06:29 PM

This should answer some of your questions:

[1965:] Composed by William Gillespie of Sessiaghoneil, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, a man who is still alive (1965). Two weeks ago he assured me that Dr. Johnston of Stranorlar had the biggest and best motor-car in the area during the War of Independence. And so this very practical joke was played on him. This is one of the few incidents when the ruthlessness of the campaign in the North was tempered with a little levity. The tune is one used widely by local poets for their home-spun products. (Paddy Tunney, notes Dominic Behan, 'Easter Week and After')

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Mbo
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 10:39 PM

In "Pat of Mullingar" Paddy Mulligan takes a ride "With the I.R.A. brigade in Johnson's motorcar!" Great song by the Irish Rovers!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Philippa
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 06:04 PM

thanks Suzanne. There was a previous thread on this topic, joy-riding

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Annraoi
Date: 28 Nov 99 - 11:32 AM

a Philippa, an raibh 'fhios agat gurbh é Willie Gillespie colceathair mo mháthair maithe ? Tá mé ag déanamh go dtug mé iomlán an scéil seo ar Mudcat anuraidh. Má tá dul amugha orm, chuirfidh mé sa tsnáth seo aríst é. Annraoi

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Sea Ross
Date: 28 Nov 99 - 11:59 AM

I have this song by the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem recorded in 1962, so it is a liitle older than previously stated. It is arranged & adapted by Liam Clancy.

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Nov 99 - 12:02 PM

My father used to say that Dr Johnson was in on it anyway, but he had to say the car was hijacked to keep out of trouble.

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST,Moleskin Joe
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 09:44 AM

Does anyone know whether William Gillespie was Hugh Gillespie's father?

Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 01:06 PM

Annraoi should know as he says Willie was his mother's cousin

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 09:15 PM

anyone know if a James Leo Mccarron from monaghan was involved in the comendeering of johnston's motor car?

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST,Guest, David Roeltgen
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 01:47 PM

According to his sister, as told to us by an Irish singer, my wife's grandfather, Seamus McNulty, of Co Donegal was the driver of Johnston's motor car after it was appropriated by the IRA.

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 07:15 PM

WHen I was in Ireland in 1984, I tried to get somebody to play this song, and got LAUGHED at by the band...

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Flash Company
Date: 27 Sep 05 - 08:01 AM

I had the Clancy Bros version of this, and would place that at about 1960-62. Did a parody of it in one of the song challenges last year,
Noddy's Motor Car.

FC

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 03:17 AM

Dr Johnson was my GG Grandfather. My grandmother often tells the story of when his car was commandeered by the IRA and yes it is true

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 13 - 12:20 PM

Yes he was true. I actually have two medicine bottles from Dr Johnstone that my grandfather left to me after he passed away last year. He often spoke about the song and its origins as he was from the Glenmore area of Ballybofey. As a singer it's great to have a piece of history from a song.

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 13 - 12:23 PM

It's actually spelled Johnston on the bottles

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST,N Kane
Date: 03 Dec 13 - 05:27 PM

My mother's uncle Mandy Houston was also in the car, he was last survivor when he died in mid 1980's. He had full military honours at funeral. My father has recording of him talking about his time in IRA.

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Dec 13 - 05:41 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtdIQr-AmYM&feature=youtu.be

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST,Cathal
Date: 29 Mar 16 - 01:46 AM

My family are convinced our mothers uncle was involved with the IRA unit who commandeered the car. His name was Tommy Pattons.
Anyone familiar with this name?

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST,Valerie
Date: 29 May 17 - 07:16 AM

Re Johnsons motor car. My partner is from Stranorlar and he pointed out where Dr Johnsons house used to be when we went on a visit recently.

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 07 Jun 19 - 12:24 PM

I've enjoyed singing this rebel song for many years- I heard Bob Davenport and also Nigel Denver singing it and picked it up by osmosis!

News today on the 'Irish News' website is that the actual car has been found in Donegal!

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 Jun 19 - 07:44 PM

1994, sorry, but still.

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: Thompson
Date: 09 Jun 19 - 02:08 PM

A witness statement from the Bureau of Military History which has a brief reference to Johnston's (not "t" motor car.

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jun 19 - 04:13 PM

Johnston or even Johnstone would generally be a more likely form than without the 't' in Scotland & therefore Northern Irish/Unionist circles

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST,Modette
Date: 10 Jun 19 - 11:39 AM

There's more than a few chuckles here about this story (note the spelling of the name, by the way).


JMC discovery

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Jun 19 - 12:13 PM

well modetette aka [ geoff w] thanks

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jun 19 - 01:18 PM

'What will my loyal brethren think, when they hear the news

My car it has been commandeered by the rebels at Dunluce (sp?)


We'll give you a receipt for it, all signed by Captain Barr


And when Ireland gets her freedom boy, you'll get your motor car'

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Nov 21 - 09:36 PM

My great grandfather, Henry was one of the men. I love learning more of this story. Our family is so proud of his bravery.

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 07 Nov 21 - 05:24 AM

I sang this once at Joe Stewart's pub in Kiltyclogher some years ago- bit of a cheek for a Geordie, and had one or two points corrected by that fine singer Rita Gallagher- she lives around the twin towns of Ballybofey/Stranorlar, so ask her any questions maybe!

Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Nov 21 - 04:12 PM

I remember Big Jim singing this song in Rosies pub in Ballydehob, and a charcter by the name of Tim The feathers aka tim the greaser, rising up and dancing, gesticulating fiercely during the chorus bit