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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Bo Date: 31 Jul 98 - 03:37 PM Hey, Martin Great big thank yous are in order. If you send an address to dedy@ionline.net I'd be happy to send a thank you post card from Canada to Robbie McMahon: If you think he'd appreciate the gesture? Bo |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Martin Ryan. Date: 31 Jul 98 - 04:38 PM Bo Yes, I'm sure it would be appreciated! I reckon Robbie McMahon, Spancilhill, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland will find him!
Regards |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: BSeed Date: 31 Jul 98 - 10:18 PM This has got to be the signal experience of the thirty or forty hours I have spent tracing and contributing to Mudcat threads in the two weeks since I discovered the site. What a great line of postings: someone should publish it. It has everything: love, death, terrible homesickness, suspense (when are the true lyrics ever going to be posted?), and finally, the lyrics. And obviously I'm not the only one to feel this way. I've never heard the song before here in California. I guess I'll have to send for the tape. |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: BSeed Date: 31 Jul 98 - 10:28 PM And the damnedest thing about it all: I've spent the last ten minutes trying to add this thread to my tracer. I click on trace after the thread in the thread list, I click on "add to tracer" above this box, no matter what I do, it sends me back to my personal page to show me that the thread is still not there. I hope people keep writing so it will stay on the master list until i've master the thang. --seed |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Alice Date: 22 Oct 98 - 07:18 PM refreshing to answer Bev's question regarding verses of Spancil Hill, 10/22/98. alice in montana |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin Date: 22 Oct 98 - 08:06 PM I may have missed it somewhere in the thread, but just for completeness sake, there's a passing reference in the song "Sullivan's John" by the Pecker Dunne - There's a yearly horse fair in the County Clare In a place they call Spancil Hill. My father always reckoned it was - There's a hairy arsed mare . . . etc, but I think he was mishearing a version by Ronnie Drew of The Dubliners many years ago. Shoh slaynt, Bobby Bob |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Liam's Brother Date: 23 Oct 98 - 12:02 AM I know this sounds like a political solution, Bobby Bob, but I can tell you I learned this as "a hairy ass fair." You might be interested to hear that 20 years or so ago, I met a guy (sorrowfully, I forget his name) who used to play with the Pecker (musically, that is). They were called 'The Pecker Dunne and Son.' All the best. |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 24 Oct 98 - 02:13 PM Seeing as how this has been brought back to the top, I would like to inquire as to the whereabouts of Frank McGrath of the Negagh Singers Circle? The gobshite drops in, lays on us one of the great bits of musical history I have ever heard, and disappears into the mists never to be heard from again. It's like a script from "Eddie and the Cruisers". Maybe we will call this one "Frank and the Jarveys". ****grin**** Anyone got a clue? I miss the boyo. Drop us a line, Frank, there's a good lad, and let your neighbors know that you are a well. :-)) All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Alice Date: 25 Oct 98 - 10:23 AM You're right, Mick, I have been missing posts from Frank, too. I sent him an email to nudge him back here. Have you visited his Nenagh Singers Circle Website?
http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4749/ alice in montana
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 25 Oct 98 - 03:19 PM Thanks, Alice, I haven't been there in a while. Think I will drop in this afternoon. All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 25 Oct 98 - 03:28 PM Thanks, Alice, I haven't been there in a while. Think I will drop in this afternoon. All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 25 Oct 98 - 03:55 PM I am not sure why the second message posted. I posted the first one, and nine minutes later it re-posted itself. I don't know why? It is getting close to Samhain, perhaps the spirits are giving us a little to think about, eh? All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Alice Date: 02 Dec 98 - 02:23 PM I am refreshing this thread for any newbies who missed it. The experience of asking this question and then getting the wonderful answer of the history of the lyrics and the writer from Frank McGrath, is why I love folk music... and also why I love this discussion forum with all you great folks. alice in montana |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Animaterra Date: 03 Dec 98 - 01:03 PM This truly is one of the greatest of threads. Is there any way someone could get us the MIDI music? |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 03 Dec 98 - 06:39 PM Animaterra, I will send Alison a .wav file, and she can post it in midi. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Steve Parkes Date: 04 Dec 98 - 07:49 AM I'm a bit late picking this up, but - Frank, way back in April - wasn't that what Arthur's half-sister Morgan la Fay did to make herself invisible (or was it for Mordred?)? I think I read it in The Once and Future King, so it might have been a bit of artistic licence on the part of T H White. Steve |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: alison Date: 04 Dec 98 - 08:43 AM hi, I can't believe the tune isn't here. Maybe we all just assumed that everyone knew it. If no one else beats me to it... I'll do it tomorrow. Slainte alison |
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Subject: Tune Add: SPANCIL HILL From: alison Date: 04 Dec 98 - 09:16 AM Hi , Here you go, weird key... (from Folk songs and Ballads popular in Ireland book 1) Let me know if you want guitar chords.
MIDI file: SPANHILL.MID Timebase: 480 Name: SPANCIL HILL This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1
slainte alison |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Frank McGrath Date: 04 Dec 98 - 01:08 PM Hello Alice and Big Mick, 'Tis lovely to missed. I missed you too. Sorry I disappeared off the face of the web but I've been under pressure with godforsaken work (employment for monetary gain) and have had to leave aside the most important things in life for a while.
So I shall be joining you once every few days from work and can be reached for the moment at; I've a lot of catching up to do so go easy on me for a while. 'Tis great to be back. Frank McGrath PS. The Singers Circle is going great and there are now about nine operating in the area. There are singing sessions every week within a one hour drive. The musicians had taken over the pub sessions for many years. (The singers and story tellers were only allowed to perform when the musicians had to answer the call of nature). But now we have our own times to ourselves and hopefully we can start joint sessions with a little more balance and variety. I'd love for you to experience it sometime. Each night is unique and lovely with eight to eighty year olds, great singers and crap singers, gobshites and philosophers all respecting each others gift of voice. Jasus - once I start I can't be shut up!!! Thanks for missing me and being here whe |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Alice Date: 30 Jan 99 - 03:41 PM Since George Henderson mentioned ('Mudcatters please help' thread) the Irish Music Magazine will have an article about Spancil Hill by Frank McGrath in its Feb '99 issue, I thought it may be helpful to refresh this for new Mudcatters. As I've said before, this thread was the highpoint of all the time I have spent Mudcatting. alice in montana |
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Subject: READ THIS RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 30 Jan 99 - 08:26 PM I second Alice on this. It is a must read for all Mudcatters. Our good friend, Frank McGrath (God willing I will share a jar with the lad one day soon) gave us a marvellous bit of the musical history. This thread should be required reading before one is allowed full access to the 'Cat. ***Grin*** All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: karen k Date: 01 Feb 99 - 10:10 AM How can we get the Feb.'99 issue of Irish Music Magazine? I'd love to read Frank McGrath's Spancil Hill article. karen k |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Alice Date: 01 Feb 99 - 10:20 AM Go to Irish Music Magazine's website by clicking here. You can subscribe or get info on current and back issues. alice |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: George Henderson Date: 01 Feb 99 - 10:43 AM This is the first time I have waded through this thread. Isn't Frank very poetic. I have known this story since I first met Robbie over 20 years ago and never really thought of how good it really is. I got quite emotional reading it even though I knew the story. The great news. Robbie McMahon is the Nenagh singers circle guest on the second Friday in April. Why don't you all jump on a plane and join us. Frank mentioned his cassette. It is magnificent and contains that wonderful song "Path across the ocean" which Barry Gleeson recorded on his CD of the same name. Robbie is a truly great singer. |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Frank McGrath Date: 01 Feb 99 - 05:37 PM Isn't fate a funny thing? I had planned for some time to visit Robbie to take some photos of Spancilhill and the night before my journey - this thread reappears. I have pictures being developed of Michael Considine's house, pretty much unchanged externally since he lived there, as well as Mack the Rangers house and other features from the song. With Robbie's help I am starting to trace other pieces of the history of the song and I hope to continue the work for as long as there is life in these bones of mine. So, if there are any knowledgeable persons out there who have any extra snippits to contribute I would really appreciate the information. Alice - many thanks for starting this thread and for all your kindness. In fact, many thanks to all of those who contributed comments. All the best |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Date: 01 Feb 99 - 08:30 PM George, Since Robbie is in Ireland at that particular time, why doesn't he travel North to the CBPPU on Belfast's Antrim Road where he will find the most appreciative audience anywhere. He might even persuade 쳌amonn Maguire to make a bodhr n for him - at a price, that is. :-)) D‚an teagmh il liom ag annraoi@opreith.freeserve.co.uk |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Charlie (2nd Generation) Date: 03 Feb 99 - 12:51 PM Still searching for a Quality Spancil Hill or Celtic Symphony MIDI? Does anyone know of a good irish midi site that contains these hard to find songs? (I tried to convert the above text to midi for Spancil Hill but was unsuccessful...) Thanks everyone! |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 25 Feb 99 - 10:11 PM George, I got the Feb issue of Irish Music and the article on Robbie and Frank and the song is not in it. I wonder if the US edition is different from the Irish edition. I am very interested in reading this article and seeing the picture. Can anyone help? To anyone interested in Irish music that hasn't read this thread, please do.You will forever be happy that you did Big Mick Lane |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Gearoid Date: 26 Feb 99 - 08:48 AM The classic's never die !!!!!!!! Gearoid |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Martin Ryan Date: 06 Mar 99 - 02:40 PM Big Mick Frank's article is in the MARCH edition of Irish Music Magazine, just issued. Regards |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 06 Mar 99 - 06:18 PM T'ank's Martin. I got a little panicked. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Penny Date: 07 Mar 99 - 05:42 PM I looked up spancel, spancil etc. in a modern and an Anglo-Saxon dictionary. No luck, but there's a word spann or span, which survives nautically, apparently, which has the meaning of a binding, and could be a root for both the hobbling and the horrid meanings. This thread was so interesting I must off and find a recording. |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: j0_77 Date: 07 Mar 99 - 08:08 PM Last nigh as I lay drea a ming of pleasant days gone by... I was just today poking around on the fiddle and recalling he tune to this - used play along with a couple of guys in England years ago and we played it every week at a pub there. We had a banjo accordian and a bodhran - in those days there was no Celtic trend - we just played it - There was another song about falling off the back of a truck which I can barely recall but it was a funny one and never recorded by the Dubs. I wish I had the words they were great. Spancil - is like a 'hobble' tied around front and rear leg of a cow/steer/horse. See thread above. Spancil Hill is in Co Clare - which is in Ireland and is the Banner County -besides being the home of the best TAY in the whole world is also a great place for Irish Traditional Music :) |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: catspaw49 Date: 07 Mar 99 - 10:06 PM This is just a tremendous thread. My folk interest was initially stirred by the music of the Southern Mountains which had it's roots in the Scots/Irish lineage of the early settlers. The natural iconoclasm of the region resulted in a unique sound, but a sound with roots. And although my love for the Appalachian tunes and THEIR derivatives is still strongest, this thread is wonderful in creating the feel for it's beginnings. I'm truly enjoying the reading along and the resulting education. I've never been totally ignorant of Irish music, but I agree that this thread should be required reading...as should some others. Thanks to all our Irish loving Mudcateer friends. catspaw |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Martin _Ryan Date: 08 Mar 99 - 07:18 AM Incidentally, the March issue of Irish Music Magazine also has a (very favourble) review of Dan Milner's Irish Songs and Ballads of the Sea. Mudcat rule OK? Regards |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Robin Date: 09 Mar 99 - 03:56 AM What a thread! On 31 Jul, 98 was mention of Mary McNamara, Mary Mack. Could she be "Old Mary Mack, Mack,Mack With silver buttons all down her back, back, back"? Or the Mary Mack of " Mary Mack's mother's making Mary Mack marry me"? Thank you, Robin |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Wolfgang Date: 10 Mar 99 - 09:35 AM There's a booklet from Sean P.OCillin, titled "Ballads of Co. Clare 1850-1976". To my surprise, it prints (with very few changes) the original lyrics Frank has posted on May, 5th, 1998. In this booklet the song is called "The Cross of Spancelhill[sic!]", the correct author is given and as tune "Spancelhill" is given. Does this mean the song was written to a then known tune also called "Spancilhill"? Wolfgang |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Liam's Brother Date: 10 Mar 99 - 09:37 AM Hi Wolfgang! Can you give publication details of the booklet please? Thanks.
All the best, |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Wolfgang Date: 10 Mar 99 - 09:50 AM Dan, it doesn't look like easy to get. Here's the information copied from the booklet. "Published by Sean P.OCillin and Patricia F. Brannick and printed by Emerald Printers, Galway - Christmas 1976. Copies are available from the author, from Tom Quinn, 'The Forge', Cappagh, Sixmilebridge, and from Emerald Printers Ltd., Galway." Happy hunting (I got my copy in London!) Wolfgang |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 24 Mar 99 - 10:17 PM The March issue of Irish Music Magazine is now in the stores. It contains the interview and story of Spancil Hill which features Mudcatter Frank McGrath. YOU WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO READ THIS STORY, AND THIS THREAD IF YOU ARE AN IRISH MUSIC FAN Congratulations, Brother McGrath, on a fine bit of folk history well rendered. And one of these Friday nights I am going to show up at Derek Browne's and sing with you. No warning............I will just show. And then I am going to sit with you and drink copious amounts of Uncle Arthur's. Be warned. George Henderson I am still waiting to hear about your itinerary for June and when you are going to be in Detroit. I want to meet and show you around a bit, if you can fit it in. And we will spend some time at the Gaelic League, The Tipperary and some others. All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: bseed(charleskratz) Date: 25 Mar 99 - 02:45 AM I see this was just refreshed yesterday, Kat, so you may already have read it. --seed |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: George Henderson Date: 25 Mar 99 - 09:24 AM Big Mick, My itinerary will be posted next week. Roughly, however, we travel from Shannon on May 28th to Toronto and travel by coach to London staying there for 3 days. Then onto Detroit for 3 days, on to Cleveland for 3days on to Niagara for 3 days and round off with 5 days in Toronto before flying home. A more definitive schedule will be posted next week. We have Dan Milner as guest tonight which is an extra session. The Spancil Hill article was great and I am looking forward to meeting you in USA Kind regards George |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: bseed(charleskratz) Date: 06 Apr 99 - 03:53 AM I'm refreshing this for a friend who says she lurked for a while but thought the threads were boring. Hi, Sally. --seed (Charles Kratz) |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GEORGE hENDERSON Date: 12 Apr 99 - 01:04 PM Robbie McMahon was with the Nenagh Singers Circle last Friday Night. What a night - He was brilliant. Now for all you catters who are interested. Robbie recorded a tape a few years ago entitiled The Black Sheep. It was recorded a little before CD's became the rage here in Ireland which was probably some two or three years after every where else. Anyway, his tape contains the original version of Spancil Hill. If you want ot obtain a copy write to him at Spancil Hill, or send me $15 and an address and I will obtain it from Robbie and forward by mail. Robbie simply gets better every time I hear him. George |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Jo Taylor Date: 08 Dec 99 - 07:09 PM Refresh - for all who have recently arrived here. Jo |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 08 Dec 99 - 08:23 PM Just to make sure we realise how good the Mudcat can be. (An no, I'm not Frank, I'm Kevin.) |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: InOBU Date: 09 Dec 99 - 08:28 AM FranK!!! Thanks for the info on Spancil Hill. Ive sung it for years, then didnt, and then found myself sitting around with some folks from Kerry at a siesuin/gig I do twice a month and for the first time in YEARS! sang it on request, and was reminded that when I was in my twenties, at a wedding, some old boy who was a great story teller, told me he knew the fella who wrote S H. Well, as you now gave us the story, and the fella was not 130 years old, I do believe, I would say he was a fine story teller, though not the best Ive heard, for example, TOmmy Gibbons of Rossmuny Co. Mayo, to whom every old anchor was a viking pick axe, and every cabins foundation was Grace O Mallys castle. (Any one in touch with Tommy, let me know, he must be 130 himself, if he is still sitting in his dirt floor cabin still, and I hope he is... ) Well Go raith maith agut Frank... Larry |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Art Thieme Date: 09 Dec 99 - 09:55 AM I'd put this great thread in that silly time capsule thread just so all could see what a music thread with wonder and intellect can look like. We do need the people who wrote this back here with us regularly, but... Art |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: JedMarum Date: 09 Dec 99 - 10:41 AM this is a wonderful song, a moving story and this has been a great thread! |
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Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Big Mick Date: 09 Dec 99 - 11:00 AM Yessir, Bro Art, we were never better than when this thread was running. As I said several times in it, it should be required reading for all present and future Mudcatters. Mick |
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