Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Tony Malone)

Subject: Lyr Add: ROBBIE McMAHON (Tony Malone)
From: GUEST,NSC George Henderson
Date: 08 Oct 02 - 01:36 PM

ROBBIE McMAHON
By Tony Malone (Carlow)

In Listowel as I stood listening as great music thronged the Square,
Kieran Hanrahan interrupted and to the crowd assembled there,
He said come on board a vision and follow with right good will,
To Robbie McMahon's party at the Cross of Spancil Hill.

This big party is in October on the first weekend I'm told,
You're invited from all corners his admirers young and old.
You're invited from all quarters every city, valley, town and hill,
For 3 days of celebrating with the pride from Spancil Hill

Now everyone knows Robbie what a famous man is he,
Well known for all his singing for his merriment and glee,
He lugs around no instrument of hide wind reed or bone,
His voice box makes all the music with sweet notes high and low.

He's dearly loved in his native Clare of that there is no doubt,
And anywhere he sings his songs and in this world throughout,
On radio and on TV and on Comhaltas tours galore,
In England and Americay sure they love him even more.

I paid a flying visit once to Ennis town so fair,
My great friends soon all gathered round as soon as I got there,
We sang our songs till morning we sang with right good will,
And the first and last man there that night was McMahon from Spancil Hill.

Oh Robbie we dearly thank you for your singing all down the years,
You're unmatched by your rivals and you're envied by your peers,
When it comes to merry making or a song for a heart to thrill,
No better man in Ireland than McMahon of Spancil Hill.

Now it gives us all great pleasure to honour this fine human being,
For many they are honoured when they are long gone from the scene.
So thank God he's hail and hearty for he's in his full prime still,
So please raise a glass to Robbie, the pride of Spancil Hill.



Copyright Tony Malone

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: GUEST,Meredith Martin. Ennis, Clare.
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 06:43 AM

Hi, Tony, I loved your version of Spancil Hill. Robbie is my Uncle (my mothers brother) and i wondered if he has aquainted your version. If not and with your permission may i show to him. I am singing with him on the 03/04/09 at Dugans pub in Spancil, come along if you can.
                  Regards,
                           Meredith.

---------------------------------------
Personal details removed. Mudelf.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 06:51 AM

Hi Meredith

Notice that the previous post was seven years ago - and wasn't from Tony himself. I know Tony and am fairly confident Robbie has heard the song. If not - then I'm quite sure Tony would be only too happy to have it passed on to him!


Enjoy Duggans - I might even try to get down there!

regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 07:22 AM

Is there regular singing in that pub?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 07:32 AM

It would be great to have the 'other' Spancill Hill on here as well, the one about the gelignite and hand grenades hidden in one of Robbie McMahon's outhouses and removed by controlled explosion.

I heard the song sung one late night in Feakle at a singers night some years after the actual incident. Robbie himself was there on the night too. The song was hilarious.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 07:33 AM

I think Robbie still runs a monthly session there - I'll check details.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 07:43 AM

Peter

I think Mick Scanlon of Nenagh wrote that one. PitY this thread didn't start least week - I met Mick in Inishowen at the weekend!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 08:09 AM

Spancil Hill singing session is on the first friday of the month - which should draw out a frisson of piety in those of a certain vintage.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 08:17 AM

Thanks Martin, it may well have been Mick singing it when I heard it, there were several people from Nenagh present that night.

'Martin Rochford's Queen bee' was sung as well, probably by the same singer (I know Eugene Lambe wrote that one). It was good to hear good songs sung about people present or people I used to know, it was a good night and we got home well after sunrise.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: MartinRyan
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 03:38 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: GUEST,George Henderson
Date: 26 Mar 09 - 08:25 AM

The Song for Robbie was written and performed by Tony Malone and it was recorded on a video which is still available in Duggans bar in Spancilhill.

Robbie's first Friday continues on the first Friday of every month and it is always a great night. I expect to get there in May. Can't do April as I will be in the UK.

Mick Scanlan did indeed write "Decommisioning Spancilhill" which was the story as published in the Irish Independant (on page 3) in 2002 about a grenade and ammunition discovered by Robbie in his shed. It had to be destroyed by controlled explosion on his land at Spancilhill by the bomb squad. It is an extremely funny song. I have a recording somewhere of Mick singing it. Will try and get hte words and post them here but it will be over the weekend before I can get to it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Robbie McMahon (Spancil Hill) new song
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 26 Mar 09 - 09:11 AM

We got the story originally from the Clare Champion, in slightly more elaborate form but the Champion is not very good at maintaining any web-presence. The article from the Indo is here