Lyr Req: Ballad of Redmond O'Hanlon

Subject: Ballad of Redmond O'Hanlon
From: Big Tim
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 04:57 AM

Can anyone provide the lyrics of this song by P.J.McCall (1899). I have the first verse (thanks to Ard Mhacha).

A shepherd that lived on Slieve Gullion,
Came down to the County Tyrone,
And told us how Redmond O'Hanlon,
Won't leave the rich Saxon alone...

Subject: Lyr Add: REDMOND O'HANLON (P. J. McCall)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 05:16 AM

Big Tim, here you are.

REDMOND O'HANLON
(P. J. McCall)
A shepherd that lives on Slieve Gullion
Came down to the County Tyrone,
And told us how Redmond O'Hanlon
Won't let the rich Saxons alone!
He rides over moorland and mountain,
By night, till a stranger is found,
Saying, "Take your own choice to be lodging
Right over or under the ground!"

If you whistle out "Whoo!" like a native
He leaves you the way to go clear;
If you squeal out a "Hew!" like a Scotchman,
You will pay him a guinea a year.
But if you cry "Haw!" like a Saxon,
Och, then, 'tis your life or your gold!
By stages Count Redmond O'Hanlon
Gets back what they plundered of old!

Old Coote of Cootehill is heartbroken;
And Johnston beyond in the Fews
Has wasted eight barrels of powder
Upon him, but all to no use!
Although there's four hundred pounds sterling
If Redmond you'd put out of sight;
Mind, if the heart's dark in your body,
'Tis Redmond will let in the light.

The great Duke of Ormond is frantic -
His soldiers got up with the lark
To catch the bold Redmond by daylight;
But Redmond caught them in the dark.
Says he, when he stripped them and bound them:
"Take back my best thanks to his Grace
For all the fine pistols and powder
He sent to this desolate place!"

Then, here's to you, Redmond O'Hanlon!
Long may your Excellency reign,
High-ranger of Woods and of Rivers!
Surveyor of Mountains and Plain!
Examiner-in-Chief of all Traitors!
Protector of all that are True -
Henceforward, King Charley of England
May take what he gets, after you.

SOURCE: From this page.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Redmond O'Hanlon
From: Big Tim
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 09:04 AM

Masato - thank you very much, greatly appreciated. BT.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Redmond O'Hanlon
From: Big Tim
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 01:02 PM

Just a few relevant notes. Slieve Gullion - the highest hill in South Armagh, 1893 feet, refuge of many a man on the run. Redmond O'Hanlon (1640-81) - dispossessed Catholic outlaw, "rapparee" or "tory". Coote - planter family in County Cavan (only a few miles from S. Armagh). (O'Hanlon "reigned" over 4 counties). Ormond[e]-James Butler, Duke of Ormond, (1610-88), Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (King's top man). The Fews - a fort near Cullyhanna, South Armagh. John Johnston - Landowner, Protestant bigot, tory hunter, Constable of the Fews in early 18th Century - "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, Save us from Johnston, king of the fews"

Can anybody point me towards a recording of the song?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Redmond O'Hanlon
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 08:14 AM

I was at Tommy Makem's website a few weeks ago and it looks as if he may have recorded ir (as well as writing another song on the same subject).

Can anybody help me find the tune? I'd prefer an abc version. I find that where "fiddle tunes" are pretty well represented on the net song tunes are exceedingly hard to find.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Redmond O'Hanlon
From: GUEST,Colleen Bawn
Date: 24 Jan 21 - 08:04 AM

Does anyone have the air of this version of Redmond O' Hanlon from PJ McCall?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Redmond O'Hanlon
From: weerover
Date: 24 Jan 21 - 09:43 AM

Colleen Bawn, the air is that of "Moll Roe", if that helps any.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Redmond O'Hanlon
From: GUEST,#
Date: 24 Jan 21 - 09:47 AM

Melody at

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/irish-guitar-tab/moll_roe.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Redmond O'Hanlon
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Oct 21 - 06:28 AM

weerover - Thank you - is there anywhere that states that PJ McCall's version is to Moll Roe - papers, sources etc? Also do we know which of his publications this song appears in?