Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866

Subject: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: Dan Milner
Date: 04 Sep 98 - 09:46 AM

In May 1866, a U.S. Civil War veteran, Col. John O'Neill, led a force of 600 across the US-Canada border for the purpose of establishing an Irish Republic. He took the British garrison at Fort Erie and, later, defeated a British force of 1400 at the Battle of Limeridge (also known as the Battle of Ridgeway). The campaign was brought to a close by U.S. intervention. He made a second attempt in 1870, Does anoyone have any songs from this chapter in history? Many thanks, Dan Milner

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: Martin Ryan
Date: 04 Sep 98 - 10:04 AM

Hi Dan!

I have a vague memory that "Will you come to the Bower" (which is probably in the DT!) was used as a recruiting song for that campaign. I'll check it out.

Regards

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 04 Sep 98 - 12:36 PM

A search on @Irish @Canada will bring up, among others, "A FENIAN SONG" about the Canadian invasion

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: Dan Milner
Date: 04 Sep 98 - 09:18 PM

Many thanks, Dick. I have that book in storage and will dig it as soon as possible.

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: Martin Ryan
Date: 06 Sep 98 - 11:31 AM

Dan

Speaking of books; you probably have the one referred to in the DT's note to "Come to the Bower" - which might be of help to the current project. If you don't have it - drop me an email.

Regards

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: Brack&
Date: 07 Sep 98 - 08:57 AM

I have a book called The Rising Of The Moon, an historical novel, based on fact, by Peter Beresford Ellis which is about that episode in Canada. Try to get hold of it, it's a really good read.
Will You Come To The Bower was directed at Irish American asking them to return to Ireland and join in the struggle for freedom.

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: dulcimer
Date: 07 Sep 98 - 10:26 AM

Just an interesting note. The town of O'Neill in north central Nebraska was founded by some of the followers of O'Neill with the hopes of setting up an Irish enclave or base of support in the US. I wonder if there are songs from that region alluding to or espousing or lamenting the Cause?

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: Richard Wright
Date: 07 Sep 98 - 12:13 PM

Dan Check out Erin's Green Shore. In it the woman sings "I'm the daughter of Daniel O'Connell" She says she has come to awaken her brothers. The song is sung in Canada and the US and has been traced by one source here in BC to a wamn who was here in 1862. One of my theories is that she was a Fenian.

If you are interested in more send me a message from your members page and I'll go on at length. There was an earlier thread on this song.

Richard

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: rich r
Date: 07 Sep 98 - 11:10 PM

The marvelous book " Singing Our History, Canada's Story in Song" by Edith Fowke & Alan Mills (1984, Doubleday CAnada) contains the "Fenian Song" referred to above. Along with the song are some extensive notes on the history and events that took place. Shortly after the Fenians defeated Col. Booker's Toronto volunteers a larger force of Canadians under Col. Peacock chased the Fenians out of Fort Erie and back across the border. The attacks served to make many Canadians realize that they had to unite to preserve their territory and helped pave the way for confederation. Some of the Canadian trrops who chased out the Fenians were pumped up and on their way back home made up "An Anti-Fenian Song" . This is also in "Singing Our History"

AN ANTI-FENIAN SONG
(melody "Tramp Tramp Tramp The Boys Are Marching" by G. F. Root)

In the morning by my side sat the darling of my pride,
And our happy children round us were at play,
When the news spread through the land that the Fenians were at hand,
At our country's call we'll cheerfully obey.

CH: Tramp, tramp, tramp the boys are marching!
Cheer up, comrades, let them come,
For beneath the Union Jack we will drive the Fenians back,
And we'll fight for our belov'd Canadian home.

Should this poor deluded band dare set foot upon our land
Or molest the rights of England's noble Queen
They will meet with British pluck - English, Irish, Scot, Canuck -
An they'll wish themselves at home again, I ween!

rich r

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 08 Sep 98 - 09:59 AM

TO: RICH You are aptly named. Many thanks.

If you are ever in NYC you must stop by O'Neill's on 3rd Ave & 45th St. There is a very nice (presumably original) print of the Battle of Limeridge near the front staircase. Come on a Saturday night and there's an Irish session starting after 9PM. See you there sometime.

TO: RICHARD Many thanks. I have a copy of an Erin's Green Shore broadside probably found in the British Museum. It probably dates from ca. 1870. First time I ever heard the song sung was about 1965 by Hedy West... did a lovely job.

You probably know that Ireland is often personified in the female form. For example, you may have the great book of broadsides, Irish Emigrant Ballads and Songs by Robert L. Wright (any relation?). That shows a classic-looking lady on the front cover with a banner reading "Hibernia" wrapped around her. Many thanks and all the best.

Subject: RE: Irish Invasion of Canada - 1866
From: mcmud
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 12:46 AM

I just read this thread out of curiosity, and I have a couple questions. I'm a temporarily transplanted (upstate) NYer, and a geologist. Did the Battle of Limeridge take place around Fort Erie? And, if so, near what modern settlements was the fort located?

Second, I was weaned on folk music at Caffe Lena and saw Hedy West and her long-necked Vega there a couple times. The last time I saw her was probably the late 70s or early 80s, does she still do concerts or record? She did a wonderful "St. James' Hospital." I also heard her (in a recording that I've never been able to relocate) sing a song in which the verses end with the line "My Bonnie Lad is Long Long A Growing." I picked out (and still remember) the verses by ear, but what is the title of the song and where did it originate? Thanks all.