Lyr Req: Belfast Town

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast Town
From: Felipa
Date: 27 Dec 21 - 05:40 PM

https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=644#1827 Another "rebel song", Seán South of Garryowen, goes well to that air (My Native Town Drumlish) though it is usually sung to the tune of Roddy McCorley.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast Town
From: Felipa
Date: 27 Dec 21 - 05:34 PM

the tune of the Belfast Town song posted here, "
I am John McClure, I am young and poor, in Belfast I was born," is the same as the tune of the Longford song, "My Native Town Drumlish".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast Town
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 07 Mar 13 - 11:02 PM

Belfast Town/John McClure was recorded by P J Murrihy and the Kilfenora's and written by Colm Gallalgher formerly from Dublin living in the USa

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast Town
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 12 - 01:07 PM

Thanks Dave tenner in post AJ

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast Town
From: GUEST,Trish
Date: 03 Mar 10 - 04:03 PM

The Legacy album of Irish Fiddle and Ceili music from 'unknown artists', cited several times above, is actually a re-release of the Kilfenora's 1974 Transatlantic CD - also cited above. So the singer (of Belfast Town/John McClure and Coming Back to Miltown) is PJ Murrihy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast Town
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 08:44 PM

I thought a guy McCann wrote that song who claims to be in a band up there think his name is neil, although he is a story teller - dreamer.

Subject: Lyr Add: LEAVING BELFAST TOWN (McIlvogue)
From: Fergie
Date: 28 May 09 - 01:59 AM

Hi all

I sang this song when I lived in Sydney back in the late 70s. It was on an LP by 'The Men of No Property'. The words as printed on the sleeve notes were as follows

LEAVING BELFAST TOWN
Words: McIlvogue
Air: "The Hero"

I have lived me life in Belfast town
And oft times I've asked why,
That evil men and orders
Were allowed to bleed us dry.
Born in a dirty tenement,
In a district falling down,
And I tell you John I've often longed
To leave ould Belfast town.

Belfast's a northern city
Where decent men are few,
Where drums and flags have hid the eyes
Of working men it's true,
Where democracy means hypocrisy,
And corruption does abound,
And I tell you John I've often longed
To leave ould Belfast town.

Ah, well now, John, you've been and gone,
All round this world to see,
And have you found a country
Where a poor man might be free,
Where there are no greedy landlords,
Or forces of the crown,
Oh! Tell me John, and I'll be gone,
Far from ould Belfast town.

They have filled the minds with poison,
And I fear it is too late,
To wash those walls of hatred
And the words that speak of hate,
All freedom has been banished
And honest men put down,
And I tell you John, I've oft times longed
To leave ould Belfast town.

There's barricades and burning now,
And gunmen walk the street,
There's CS gas from England
That the hungry kids can eat,
Our town's an old sandcastle
And the waves begin to pound,
And I tell you John, I've often longed
To leave ould Belfast town.

There is a sound sample of the music HERE

Fergus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast Town
From: GUEST,mayomick
Date: 27 May 09 - 12:08 PM

What about the song in Sam Henry's collection ? It has a lovely tune , but after the opening verse (below from memory) becomes very fanciful . I don't know if it has ever been recorded.

Belfast Town now rich and great
was then a village small
And flocks of sheep grazed on the spot
where stands the Linen Hall
And at that time young Dermot lived
and a collar of gold he wore
He ruled the ground from Belfast Town
to the Mourne Mountain shore

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast Town
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 09 - 05:21 PM

The song "Belfast Town" is on sale on itunes. I have the version by the Kilfenora Ceili Band. Its a song my mother used to sing years ago. I was listening to it tonight and googled it. Lo and behold, this page popped up. Thanks for the lyrics. I could just about remember them. On the same album by the Kilfenora is "Coming Back to Miltown". Another song we would sing years ago in my house. Great to have them now on itunes.

Subject: Lyr Add: BELFAST TOWN
From: GUEST,C.R.Mindle
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 03:32 PM

1. I am John McCure. I am young and poor.
In Belfast I was born.
Now here I stand with my gun in my hand,
On this cold and wintry morn.

CHORUS: Many men have hopes that I will die.
I am cursed by one and all;
But in Belfast town, when the sun goes down,
There is no hope at all.

2. I can see my child, barely nine years old,
Her face all twisted in fear;
And the hate I hold for the men who control her
Is more than I can bear.

3. I bear no hate for my Protestant brother.
I offer to him my hand;
But for England's sons, with their long-barreled guns,
I pledge a rebel stand.

4. May the children's eyes see the sun soon rise
In the morning clear and cold;
And the flag that flies in the Belfast skies
Be the Green and White and Gold.

...sung to an almost slow two step kind of waltz?

Album: Irish Traditional Fiddle Music
Artist: Unknown
Record Label: Legacy International
Orig. Release: 18 Jul. 1994.
My name is C. R. Mindle, from Boston, MA.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: GUEST,joe
Date: 22 May 08 - 05:39 AM

does the kyrics go like this
From belfast town she stood and watched her sons and daughters roam
To far off lands across the sea they left their native homes
But now she calls them back to her from all the world around
Its time you came back home again ,back home to belfast town

If this is the song you refer to let me know and Ill post it

Subject: Lyr Add: BELFAST TOWN
From: GUEST,George from USA
Date: 21 May 08 - 09:58 AM

BELFAST TOWN

I am John McClure, I am young and poor, in Belfast I was born,
Now here I stand with my gun in my hand, this cold and wintry morn.
Many men have hopes that I will die, I am cursed by one and all,
But in Belfast town, when the sun goes down, there is no hope at all.

I can see my child only nine years old, her mind all twisted in fear,
And the hate I hold for the men who control her is more than I can bear.
Many men have hopes that I will die, I am cursed by one and all,
But in Belfast town, when the sun goes down, there is no hope at all.

I bear no hate for my protestant brother. I offer to him my hand;
But for England's sons with their long-barreled guns I pledge a revolution.
Many men have hopes that I will die, I am cursed by one and all,
But in Belfast town, when the sun goes down, there is no hope at all..

May the children's eyes see the sun so rise in the morning clear and cold,
And the flag that flies in the Belfast skies be the green and white and gold.
Many men have hopes that I will die, I am cursed by one and all,
But in Belfast town, when the sun goes down, there is no hope at all.

from CD title:

Irish Traditional Fiddle Music (Reels, Jigs & Polkas / Cieli Band Music)

Legacy International CD 308

Possible solo artist:
Mick Moloney

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: GUEST,Laban Tall
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 03:56 AM

It's :

"I hold no hate for my Protestant brother, I offer to him my hand;

But to England's sons, with their long-barreled guns, I pledge a rebel's stand."

Given the events of the last thirty years you can take the first with a pinch of salt.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: GUEST,tim
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 09:23 AM

I was looking for the lyrics to this song (i though it was mick moloney)
I do have the song on my itunes, if anyone is interested...

tim parker

my email address is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: GUEST,Mahesh
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 06:40 PM

I bear no hate for my protestant brother. I offer him my own hand;
But for England's sons with their long-barreled guns I pledge a revolution.
I can see my child only five years old, her eyes all twisted in fear,
And the hate I hold for the men who control her is more than I can bear.
Many men have hopes that I will die. I am cursed by one and all,
And in Belfast town when the sun goes down, there is no hope at all.

Would love a recording of this on mp3. I hear this on a CD I borrowed from the library years ago and long to hear it again. I remember visiting Belfast for the first time and thinking this was the place that this song was about.

Love,
Mahesh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: Big Tim
Date: 11 Sep 03 - 05:05 AM

Thanks folks: I'm kinda out of touch with Makem's later work. Will check out Colm Gallagher.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 08:08 PM

I also have the 'gun in me hand' one and it would be easy to transcribe if I need to.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 03:13 PM

If I'm not mistaken, Colm Gallager is the man who wrote "Bridie Murphy and the Kamikaze Pilot" and "My Father Loves Nikita Kruschev," both recorded by Tommy Makem.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 04:42 PM

They credit it on the CD reissue as "Gallagher, Colm Music". No other information is given.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: clueless don
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 02:32 PM

Big Tim,

I have this song (the one about John McClure) on a privately produced tape by a (then) Baltimore (MD, USA) based group called "The Wild Geese". I would have to dig up the tape to check the liner notes to see where the singer, Bob Smith, got the song. It may have been from that same Kilfenora Band recording.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: Big Tim
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 06:20 AM

Just stumbled upon this Thread. There's also another song called "Belfast Town", opening lines,                              

"I am John McClure, I am young and poor,                              
In Belfast I was born, now here I stand with a gun in my hand,
This cold and wintry morn.
Many men have hopes that I will die, I am cursed by one and all,
But in Belfast town, when the sun goes down, there is no hope at all."

Also contains the phrase "I bear no hate for my Protestant brother".

I have the words and a recording by the Kilfenora Band. Anyone know anything about the origins of THIS song, which is an unusual one?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: alison
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 11:18 PM

Jimmy,

I took Seamus up on his offer years ago.... you were wonderful Seamus.... *grin*

his CD's are fantastic, and the dyslexic sheep is a gem!!1

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: belfast
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 04:03 PM

The song is very much of a particular time and certainly even at that time you could live in parts of Belfast without seeing any sign of the Troubles except on your television. Now, I'm a little bit biased but even I wouldn't make any great claims for the beauty of the city. Most of my friends seem to dream of retiring to Mayo or Donegal. And yet, if I'm away from it for more than a week I can't wait to get home. I don't exactly kiss the tarmac at Aldergrove airport but my heart does lift when I see the Cave Hill. What does strike me as strange is the number of visitors who decide to stay here. I must confess that if I had been born and bred in the South of France or Italy I doubt if I would chose this place as my residence. Mind you, the writer of the song now lives in Derry. There is simply no accounting for taste.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: Jimmy C
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 03:29 PM

Seamus,

Will you stop your blathering sure I was only waiting to get a word in.

I have a version of this song by Mike Maloney, but I can't lay my hands on it at the minute. it may be a personal thing but I still can't decide whether I like the song or not, as Bobby said, some things make Belfast sound like Beirut, but we all know that is not the case, it is quite a beautiful city, with Black Mountain, Divis, and of course the Cave Hill (Ben Madigan) with Napoleon's Nose all on one side and the lough on the other.


Laoise,
I visit that area of Donegal whenever I go home, I have relatives living close to the town of Church Hill, their cottage is about 250 years old, on the shore of Gartan Lake. The walls are 30" thick, it's like going back in time except for the dimmer switch, the computer and the clock that goes backwards. I love that area and spent many a fine summer close by in Meenacladdy.


Alison,

Take Seamus up on his offer, I have many of his C.D's, all well worth listening to, good vocals, and instrumentation. He does a song about a dyslexic sheep, but that's another story.

Slan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: belfast
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 08:39 AM

And as regards some of the other chat that come up in this thread - The Liverpool Bar (publican, Tom Kelly) is no more and is sadly missed. Tom Kelly, you'll be glad to know, is alive and well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Belfast town
From: GUEST,Wolfgang
Date: 21 Oct 02 - 08:24 AM

I appreciate the correction, Belfast. It makes more sense to me now.

Wolfgang

Subject: Tune Add: LEAVING BELFAST TOWN
From: belfast
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 12:52 PM

I stumbled across this thread while looking for something else and decided to refresh it to post the melody of the song.   It is, as Alison ironically comments "another cheerful little ditty about Belfast". The melody is, as Malcolm Douglas points out, a variation (I nearly said "corruption") of "The Dolphin" which can also be found in "The Singing Island" by MacColl and Seeger. The words listed above are not 100% but pretty close. Line 3, Verse 1 should read, "Our town's an old sandcastle and the waves begin to pound". I haven't heard Mick Moloney's version but the tune I give here is taken from the guy who wrote the song.   One difference is that in the traditional tune the notes C in bars 14 and 26 are natural not sharp.

X:1
T:LEAVING BELFAST TOWN
M:3/4
Q:140
K:D
A|d2d|d2e|d2c|d2e|f2g|f2e|d3|z2f|g2g|
g2g|f2g|a2f|e2d|c2B|A3|z3|aaa|fed|B2g
|g2g|f2f|edB|A3|z2A|B2B|cBA|d2d|efg|a2f|efe|d3|z2

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: alison
Date: 17 May 01 - 12:36 AM

in your dreams Den... the Castle on the Castlereagh Road still wins....... lol

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: pattyClink
Date: 16 May 01 - 09:52 PM

Bobby O'Brien, report to the thread titled "Help - Bridie Gallagher - bio?"(spelling is not exact) if you can, they could use your expertise. There are so many threads running I thought maybe it would slip by you by the next time you check in.

Thanks to all for the info on Belfast. Hope to get there some day.

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Den
Date: 16 May 01 - 09:51 PM

Alison, Barney Gee's on Crummick street still had the best pasties. Den

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: alison
Date: 16 May 01 - 09:08 PM

aha.... I knew it rang a bell somewhere.. I think you already sent me that tape Seamus....... unfortunately its in a box of tapes still waiting to be unpacked... but... at least I know its there.......

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 16 May 01 - 07:14 PM

It looks as if the problem is solved, but I'd just mention that I borrowed a copy of the Sam Larner recording that Wolfgang mentioned from the local library this evening, and the tune is, basically, the same as the one used by the Copper family.  It sounds rather different as it's in a quite different key and time signature, but the two are clearly variants of the same tune.  I don't have notation for Larner's set, but I can make a close approximation working from another Norfolk version which Vaughan Williams got from a Mr. Locke of Rollesby in 1910, and will give it some thought.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 16 May 01 - 06:55 PM

Laoise, if you see Tom Kelly, please tell him Seamus Kennedy said Hi. I've got fond memories of a lot of great sessions with him, at Kelly's "99" on the Short Strand, at the Rossa club on the Falls, and at the old Casement club 30 years ago. Tony McAulay hung out with him as well. I'm surprised Jimmy C hasn't chimed in on ths thread yet. By the way, Alison, I recorded that version of Belfast town years ago, would you like a tape of it?

All the best.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 16 May 01 - 06:37 PM

according to internet sources, the recording was on Paredon Records, New York, 1971

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 16 May 01 - 06:24 PM

the song was recorded around 1970s on the LP "This is Free Belfast", on an American label I think, by Belfast's "Men of no Property" (later they changed name from Men to People), who included Brian Moore, Dave Scott (I think), John Gray, Joe Mulheron

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Wolfgang
Date: 16 May 01 - 10:29 AM

I listened, but the tune isn't close. Sorry.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: alison
Date: 16 May 01 - 09:54 AM

thanks Malcolm

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 16 May 01 - 09:52 AM

So far as the tune goes, there is one version of The Dolphin / London Man of War / Captain Summerswell / Irish (Sea) Captain / Liverpool Play (etc.) in the DT, under yet another title,  Warlike Seamen,  this one from the Copper family.  I don't know how close -if at all- their melody is to the one Sam Larner used, but there's a midi of it at the Mudcat Midi Pages:

Warlike Seamen.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 May 01 - 09:37 AM

Try to listen to any Album by Anthony John Clarke. Anthony is originaly from Belfast but is now resident in the North of England. A briliant song writer, great performer and realy nice man to boot. And I have nothing to gain from all this - honest!

His stuff could be categorised as contemporary folk though I think his style transends the conventional categories. Witty, pithy, sad, moving, disturbing. His songs span the full range of emotions and many are about his childhood and upbringing. Some involve the troubles but many do not. Don't think of him as an Irish folk singer either. His songs may be about Belfast and Ireland in general but they are far from the traditional image of that genre.

Don't take my word for it though because I would go and see him every week if I could. Find out for yourself. You can get more info on his web page HERE . If you get chance go to see him. Book him at your club or just get the albums. Well worth it.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

OK Anthony, where's that tenner....;-)

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Wolfgang
Date: 16 May 01 - 08:28 AM

Alison,

it would be a lie to pretend I recollected your request for I didn't. But I did recollect having posted the song without tune that's all. Perhaps someone else can help.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: alison
Date: 16 May 01 - 08:02 AM

nope wolfgang... I don't know any of those either... but at least it gives me somewhere to look....

I'm amazed you even remebered about this thread.....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Wolfgang
Date: 16 May 01 - 05:32 AM

Alison,

you've asked me for the tune to this song years ago. Last night I've encountered a very closely related (close to identical) tune when listening to Sam Larner's CD 'Now is the time for fishing'. The close fit is 'The Dolphin' aka 'Irish sea captian' aka 'London man of war'. Does that help you (I haven't found these titles in the DT)?

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Laoise, Belfast
Date: 14 Aug 97 - 06:03 AM

Barry, Yes that'll be Tom Kelly's alright. His bar used to be in Short Strand but it moved to the docks, just opposite where the seacat takes off for Scotland.

I was in there one time and this singer sang a hilarious song entitled "Tom Kelly's on the Strand". In it he named a whole list of Punters. I remember there was something mentioned about a friendly yank...

Alison, ay, I'm lookin forward to it alright. I don't know if I'll have time to start a folk club but I hope that our band get featured in the Union sometime. It wouldn't be a bad break. I'm sure if you "OZZIES" would come over we could organise somet'ing.

Slan,

Laoise.

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: alison
Date: 13 Aug 97 - 11:11 PM

Hi

Alan and I met at our local folk club about 3 years ago, then I joined a few bands he was in, and eventually we decided to do something ourselves.

Good luck with the PhD. you'll love Queen's, (I did my nurse training just round the corner in the City hospital. They get some great groups in the students union. That's were I first saw Stockton's Wing. Maybe you could start your own folk club.

Slainte,

alison

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Barry Finn
Date: 13 Aug 97 - 10:04 PM

Laoise, would that session of Kelly's be in the Shot Strand, in a building that would have to entered from one end through a fence type cage. If so 13 yrs ago the hospitality was great and this yank was made to feel right at home. Barry

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Laoise, Belfast
Date: 13 Aug 97 - 12:04 PM

Alison,

AY, the Rotterdam is still there as is Pat's Bar but I don't usually go there for sessions. Maddens is still going strong and we usually head there on a Friday and Saturday night and head to the Hercules Bar (The Bridge) after for late drinking. Unfortunately there is no regular session in Maddens - just when instruments turn up and there is a mind to play.

I will definitely give yer man a ring over in Holywood. I have heard of a good singing session there, so it could be the one and the same. Niambh Parsons sang there I think at some stage. I will give it a try. I'm a singer myself and am in a group called Bedouin in which I also play mandolin and am getting on to the fiddle. I learnt piano and guitar as a child so music has more or less been my life. I think, however, you outnumber me with your list. How did you ever get time for doing anything else?

I will be studying for a PHD at Queens as of September so I'm going to be in Belfast a little while longer. Glencolumbkille (is that the right spelling - I'm totally useless at spelling!) is definitely my future home. I spent such an amazing week there. Its a shame that you didn't spend your honeymoon there but I'm sure you enjoyed yourselves at Dunfanaghy.

I think its cool that you are in a folk duo with the Wizard of Oz (as I call him). Did you meet on the 'Net? What's the Guinness like down under? If its any good have a pint for me and I'll do the same over here.

Slainte, and may your road rise with you.

Laoise.

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: ALison
Date: 13 Aug 97 - 08:48 AM

Hi

Sorry.....frogot to answer your other question.

Yes I do play, the list includes flute, whistles, keyboards, bodhran, and I sing a bit. At present I am teaching myself uilleann pipes, sax, guitar and bass guitar. I play in a couple of bush bands and am part of a folk duo with Alan of Oz.

Yes next time I'm home we'll head out on the tear. Is the Rotterdam pub still down in the docks, it was meant to have good folk sessions?

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Alison
Date: 13 Aug 97 - 08:32 AM

Hi Laoise,

Welcome back.

I was born and raised in Belfast, in Gilnahirk. I lived there for about 26 years. I worked as a nurse/ midwife in most of the hospitals in and around Belfast even doing some time as a community nurse around Twinbrook and Poleglass. Then I moved to Castlerock for 3 years, (for those of you who are interested, this is on the north coast about 20 miles from Derry), before emmigrating to Australia in search of sunshine.

I love Glencolumbkille......almost went there for my honeymoon except we would have been the only people in the place so we settled for Dunfanaghy instead. ( My hubby is from Holywood.)

Speaking of Holywood there was a folk club going there when I was home last in what used to be the old Maypole pub, I think it's changed it's name now. It was run by a friend of mine called Jim Elder, you could give him a ring and see if it's still on, Tell him you got his name from Alison Boyd in Australia, that should surprise him!

I speak very little gaelic, we weren't taught it at school. It is a beautiful language and I do intend to learn some time.

Slainte

Alison

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Laoise, Belfast
Date: 13 Aug 97 - 07:39 AM

To: Bobby, Alison and Wolfgang

Cad e mar ata sibh.

I've just got back from Donegal, Glencolumcille, where I've spent a week learning to play Donegal style fiddle and before that I was in Egypt diving in the Red Sea. So that's why I haven't been able to join in this thread.

Wolfgang: I haven't heard this song either. I have to agree with Alison that this is not a sentiment often expressed or even held by most people in Belfast on either side of the political divide. There is so much colour and life in the city, and the Troubles, rather than depress and make people turn to despair, has produced an amazing comaraderie and love of life. Some even remember, with affection, the times of the worst troubles because of the strong bonds created within communities and because they ignited fervent passions seldom nurtured during peace times. Traditions such as banging bin lids when the peelers were coming are a part of the folk lore of this city and remind people of the strength of feeling between neighbours. This is not to say that the atrocious and horrendous deeds committed by both sides of the war have not left terrible scars, but there were also some redeeming features, not often recognised outside the city.

Belfast is reknown for the great singers it produces and yet there are hardly any sessions where singing is taken seriously so you don't get to hear many good songs here. There is one exception. The Liverpool Bar down by the docks is brilliant on Wednesday and Sunday nights. It's run by Tom Kelly who used to own Kelly's on the strand. He is a mine of information on Irish Ballads and songs and it is more than likely he will know this one. Whether he'll sing it or not is a different matter. It sounds very much like an emigrant song.

There is another song I heard a long while ago while living in North Wales sung by a man from Banbridge. The chorus went "Oh you Belfast Mountains" and that's about all I remember - perhaps you know it? It had a great tune and wonderful lyrics about the Black Mountain (Slieve Dubh) which frames the entire West bank of the city and which can be seen from nearly the whole of Belfast.

Alison,

I have been meaning to ask you for ages about your origins. You obviously speak a little Irish (eg. Slainte...) and you know a great deal about the culture here. Where about are you from? If you're ever back from sunny Aussieland, it would be great to get in touch, have a bit of swallie and some good craic. Do you play? - we could hit a couple of sessions.

I'm actually a blow-in. My family are from South Africa and I was brought up in London. I was born on St Patrick's day and I guess this always made me fond of Irish traditions and culture (don't ask me why). So I eventually came to live here two years ago. I fell in love with Belfast and this is where I live for the present, but someday I intend to live over in Donegal, most probably round Glencolum.

Bobby, just for your interest a survey was done recently looking at crime rates in British (it may even have been European) cities. It was found that you were less likely to be a victim of crime in Belfast than in any other city. This has been attributed to the presence of paramilitaries who generally keep a tight rein on the behaviour of juveniles. The most frequent crime here, I believe, is joy riding and car theft, but its not as high here as in Manchester - so there ye go! Come and live in Belfast (I extend this invitation to all Mudkittens.)

Slan go foill agus tcifidh me thu.

Laoise.

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Bobby O'Brien
Date: 31 Jul 97 - 03:56 AM

I find it interesting how the media makes Belfast look and seem like Beirut. I have spent manys a happy day shopping or having lunch in one of the pubs around Smithfield, and never even saw a soldier! I would feel safe walking in Belfast at 3am, but not as safe walking in New York or any American city at that hour. I have found that the more north you travel in Ireland, the more friendly people are. One of my dear old friends, Bridie Gallagher, (yes, "thee" Bridie Gallagher) has lived there for 30 years. Like me, she still travels back to Donegal regularly, but there's a woman with enough money to live anywhere she pleases. Belfast is her abode of choice. God, this sounds too much like a commercial for Bord Failte!

Subject: RE: Belfast town
From: Alison
Date: 28 Jul 97 - 09:15 PM

Hi Wolfgang,

Thanks for the lyrics. Yet another cheerful little ditty about Belfast. It's really quite a nice place to live.......honest........I was there 26 years and only ever saw any of the bad stuff on the TV same as the rest of you. Elton John has done a nice song about Belfast on his "Made in England" CD.

SLainte

Alison

Subject: Lyr Add: BELFAST TOWN
From: Wolfgang
Date: 28 Jul 97 - 12:08 PM

Hi Alison,

I always considered this song to be the Belfast equivalent of "The Town I loved so well". But I never ever heard it except on the LP-Record "We have met together" of, among others, Mick Moloney. On the record cover, it is stated that the author deliberately withholds his/her name. The record is about 20 years old and the song hardly older. To the best of my knowledge, the tune has been written for this song (I do not know yet how to transcribe tunes). The lyrics are as heard from the record and have been checked by a native English speaker.

BELFAST TOWN

1. We've barricades and jellygnite and gunmen walk the streets,
We've CS-gas imported for our hungry kids to eat.
Our towns and nells sand-castled now and the waves begin to pound,
And I tell you, John, I've oftimes longed to leave old Belfast town.

2. Oh, Belfast is a City, where decent men are few,
Where drums and guns have mesmerized the working man(men), it's true,
Where democracy means hypocrisy and corruption does abound,
And I tell you, John, I've oftimes longed to leave old Belfast town.

3. For long we've been exploited and often I've asked why
That men without compunction are allowed to bleed us dry
In many a filthy tenements, in districts falling down,
And I tell you, John, I've oftimes longed to leave old Belfast town.

4. Our minds are filled with poison and I fear it is too late
To wipe our walls of malice and the words that speak of hate.
For freedom has been banished now and honest men put down,
And I tell you, John, I've oftimes longed to leave old Belfast town.

5. Oh, well now, John, you've been and gone around the world to see
And have you found a country where a working man is free,
Where there are no grasping landlords and no forces of the crown.
Oh, tell me, John, and I'll be gone far from old Belfast Town.

Subject: Belfast town
From: Alison
Date: 28 Jul 97 - 07:36 AM

Hi

Always interested to here songs from home. Wolfgang, more lyrics please and does it have a tune? I certainly hadn't heard it before I left Belfast.

Slainte

Alison