Origins: Irish Republican song info

Subject: RE: Origins: Irish Republican song info
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 17 Mar 16 - 04:01 AM

Yes - I remember noticing several of Bess Cronin's songs in Hardings Dublin Songster!

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Irish Republican song info
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 17 Mar 16 - 03:28 AM

Many thanks all - The Hibernian Songster seems to be the logical way it made its way into Clare - a number of the singers we recorded learned songs from such sources.
As Martin says, Limerick is not too far from here and the Jim Kemmy Museum has been pretty high on our bucket list for some time now.
Interesting quote showing the song having been sung elsewhere.
The recording of Martin Long singing it will be added to the 'Carroll Mackenzie Collection' at Clare County Library, along with another half dozen others we've just found - again - thanks all.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Origins: Irish Republican song info
From: MartinRyan
Date: 16 Mar 16 - 05:11 PM

I can't access the full text there but have seen a rather rough OCR copy of that book elsewhere on the 'net. The songster to which I provided the link happens to be in Limerick, Ireland - not very far from where Jim Carroll lives!

;>)>

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Irish Republican song info
From: JenBurdoo
Date: 16 Mar 16 - 04:54 PM

I found what appears to be a different verse quoted in this book of reminisces published in 1904:

Birth and Adoption: A Book of Prose and Poetry

Subject: RE: Origins: Irish Republican song info
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Mar 16 - 04:20 PM

"We won't give up the old land, no, without another blow."
unfortunately they sold out to europe, and are now in debt to the ECB

Subject: RE: Origins: Irish Republican song info
From: MartinRyan
Date: 16 Mar 16 - 03:34 PM

Have you seen this? Not too far away from you!

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Origins: Irish Republican song info
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 16 Mar 16 - 03:18 PM

New to me, Jim. I agree it sounds mid 19C. Will check a few books...

Regards

Subject: Lyr Add: WE WON'T GIVE UP THE OLD LAND (M Long)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 16 Mar 16 - 12:25 PM

I need to annotate this song but have drawn a blank despite the fact that it's so very familiar to me.
It sounds like it could be from the 1867 Fenian uprising, but can't find it in print anywhere - any information on date, or possible authorship would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks
Jim Carroll

WE WON'T GIVE UP THE OLD LAND
(sung by Martin Long)

Here's a health, my gallant comrades, ere we join the bloody fray,
The sun would stand the soft (?) green at the open eye of day,
And as we strike for freedom and for friends we ne'er shall know,
We'll have Ireland home and homeland oh, without another blow

For we won't give up the old land, no, we won't lay down and die,
Not yield unto the Saxon as we yet be (??) cry,
But we'll stand by right defendants like the tall isle in the snow,
We won't give up the old land, no, without another blow.

Yet she's worth your word and honour, she's worth your golden store,
The pride that's put upon her, her beauty do adore,
She's worth this world all over and strange lands we ne'er shall know,
Then we won't give up the old land, no without another blow.

Let me fondly, let me truly clasp your arms around my breast,
Let me fondly, holy Ireland, You're the fair isle of the West
For where e'er that exile sends us or where e'er that we may roam,
We won't give up the old land, no without another blow.

No, we won't give up the old land, no, we won't lay down and die,
Nor yield unto the Saxon as they yet be (??) cry,
But we'll stand by right defendants like the tall Isle in the snow,
We won't give up the old land, no, without another blow.