Lyr Req: The Ballad of Jack Larkin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Ballad of Jack Larkin
From: RunrigFan
Date: 12 Dec 20 - 05:14 PM

https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=163217 see this

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Ballad of Jack Larkin
From: GUEST,Me
Date: 11 Dec 20 - 06:16 PM

They staked a claim upon the hill and commenced to make a hole.

They buried him next to his claim on the side amongst the holes.

The three of them lay dead upon the barroom floor.

Subject: RE: The Ballad of Jack Larkin
From: GUEST,Ruairi
Date: 24 Nov 17 - 07:46 AM

I had question too. Could not find the lyrics anywhere. I found two versions on YouTube, they were slightly different which is common for a Ballad. I took the time to transcribe as best I could. Hardest part was placenames, I am confident I got Dinish Island and LetterMullen correct, but am having trouble with the location that they mined in California

To get the full lyrics I patched together from two versions

https://youtu.be/N34Qdo1f9mo

https://youtu.be/edgDIG8Ni9A this one is my favorite and is what I am using to build the lyrics

Can anyone assist with filling on the blanks? Or offer any other suggestions for edits


The Ballad of Jack Larkin

It was in the hungry forties when old Ireland lay in bloom
Thousands sailed from Galway Bay to find a brighter home,
among them were three comrades who were brave and bold and strong
And they came from Dinish Island off the LetterMullen shore.
The streets of Philadelphia they had heard were paves with gold,
but very soon they realized it melted with the snow
the fights of hunger know no bounds as they make a young man groan
so they went to California a hunting for the gold.
They staked a claim beside the hill called as the ?   ?   ? and started digging in to it some fortunes for to horde,
The promise to their parents the day the left the their home
was to bring it back to Dinish off the LetterMullen shore
McDonough went to town one day to russle up some stores
he was killed by three Bandidos who robbed him of his hope
John Falon and Jack Larkin they wakes him at their home
And they buried him beside his flame at the side of ? ? ?
And the mound was patted down and the three Hail Marys said
And they placed a little wooden cross as a marker on his head
Jack Larkin faced and told the east that he swore a mighty roar
It was bloood for blood he'd have revenge or never face at home
That very day Jack went to town with his pistol in his belt
and he went into the tavern where they killed his cousin Pat
He called out the Bandidos and when the fight was o'r
the three of them were lying dead upon the borrowed floor
Jack took a bullet in his back and for three long weeks he lay
and then one night a fall and says I'll never see the day
I'll tell my folks in Dinish if you ever make it back
That I got the three Bandidos the got my cousin Pat
he was buried with his cousin in the grave upon the hill
with a marker at his head and feet and the three Hail Marys said
Before the mound was patted down Jack Larkins Mighty soul
Was flown back home to Dinish off the LetterMullen shore

Subject: The Ballad of Jack Larkin
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jun 15 - 05:45 AM

There is a song The Ballad of Jack Larkin (not James Larkin) on Youtube,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edgDIG8Ni9A


I found a recording by John Beag O'Flartha but would anybody know of anymore?