Lyr Add: Macafferee

Subject: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: Billy Weeks
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 01:54 PM

I mentioned this in my brief posting to the 'odd time signatures'
thread and only noticed afterwards that there is no version in Digitrad.

This 'Macafferee' is as I learnt it about 50 years ago. I have heard
it often since, always sung to the tune of 'Lord Franklin' . This
version is basically 'Lord Franklin', but as you will see from the
line lengths, it is sung very freely, with many changes of time
signature.

It was widely believed (probably correctly) in the Army, even in my
time, that it was a chargeable offence to be heard singing
'Macafferee'.

When I was only eighteen years of age
Into the army I did engage
I left my job with a good intent
To join the forty second regiment

To Derby barracks I then did go
To serve out my time at that depot
But from trouble and blame I was never free
My captain took a great dislike to me

As in that place I stood on guard one day
Some soldier's children came out to play
From the officers' quarters my captain came
And ordered me to take their parents' name

Obediently his wish I did fulfil
But I solemnly did it against my will
With loaded rifle I did prepare
To shoot my captain on the barrack square

On the barrack square I took most deadly aim
Took deadly aim on the barrack square
It was my captain I meant to kill
But I shot my colonel against my will

At the very next assizes my trial quite soon I stood
I did the deed, I shed his blood-
The judge then said 'Macafferee
Prepare yourself for the gallows tree'

I have no father alive to take my part
I have no loving mother to break her heart
But I have one friend and a girl is she
Who'd lay down her life to save Macafferee

My captain then to the witness box stood nigh
All in his wickedness he did lie
He did declare on a solemn oath
That I had long time sworn to kill them both

So all young officers be rul-ed now by me
Treat all your men with some decency
For it was lies and perjury
That caused the hanging of Macafferee


Any other versions known to Catters?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 01:58 PM

There's a version in the DT as "Mccassery" and, i suspect, a few others lying around somewhere!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: GUEST,Henryp
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 04:21 PM

The soldier was called Patrick McCaffery and posted to Fulwood barracks. The song exists under a number of variations of his name.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 04:40 PM

For the full story, see Roy Palmer, The Rambling Soldier, Penguin Books, 1977, pp 119-126. McCaffrey was executed on Saturday 11 January 1862, in front of Kirkdale Gaol in Liverpool. There has long been a strong and persistent rumour that singing this song was at some time or other a serious disciplinary offense in the Army, but there seems to be no evidence that that is anything other than folklore.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 05:19 PM

I learned this in the Royal Artillery in 1951. I've been singing it ever since (I've recorded it twice) and still find it powerful and moving. It was the first traditional song I ever heard 'in situ' and it started off my love of British traditional music. I too was told that it was a punishable offence to sing it publicly in the army. Last week I sang it at the Darlington Folk Workshop, where it wrought it's magic once again. A great song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 05:20 PM

Forgot to add - I learned it as 'McCafferty'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 05:28 PM

The set in Roy Palmer's book came from you, didn't it?

Subject: Lyr Add: McCAFFERTY
From: Lighter
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 07:05 PM

Here's how I learned it, mostly from Ewan MacColl's "Bless 'em All"
LP (ca.1958). Tune is "The Croppy Boy" (alias "Lord Franklin," etc.).

McCAFFERTY

When I was scarcely eighteen years of age,
To join the army I did engage;
I left the fact'ry with good intent,
To join the 42nd Regiment.

To Fullwood Barracks I then did go
To serve a short period in that depot;
But out of trouble I could not be,
For Captain Hansen took a dislike to me.

While standing sentry out one day,
Some soldiers' children came out to play;
I took one's name, but not all three -
And with neglect of all duty he did charge me.

In the barracks court-room I did appear,
But Captain Hansen my sad story would not hear;
The sentence it was quickly signed,
And to Fullwood Barracks I was then confined.

For fourteen weeks and fifteen days
The sentence rose and turned my brain;
To shoot my captain dead on sight
Was all that I resolved to do each night.

I saw him standing in the barracks square,
A-walking arm in arm with Colonel Blair;
I raised my rifle, and fired to kill:
I shot my poor colonel against my will.

I did the deed, I shed the blood,
And at Liverpool Assizes my trial I stood.
The judge he says, "McCafferty,
Prepare yourself for the gallows tree."

I had no father to take my part,
I had no loving mother for to break her heart;
I had one friend, and a girl was she -
She'd lay down her life for McCafferty.

Now all young soldiers take a warning by me:
Don't have nothing to do with the British Army.
For only lies and tyranny
Have made a murderer out of McCafferty!

In Liverpool City this poor boy died.
In Strangways Manchester his body lies.
Now all good people who do pass by,
Go shed a tear for McCafferty!


Dan Milner has another version in his great book "A Bonnie Bunch of Roses."

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: Dead Horse
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 12:55 AM

Here is a link that gives correct lyric and facts about the case, including its use as a regimental anthem!!!
http://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/m/mccaffer.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 04:12 PM

There are a number of versions of this song placing it in various places - the jail also various - the assizes also various.

A.E. (Tony) Green wrote extensively on the song in "Lore and Language" August 1970, but clearly at that time was not aware of the Preston Mercury references.

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: GUEST,Tom Smith
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 11:43 AM

I never knew this was based on a true story. Thanks for the info.
The version I remember from over 40 years ago had a little difference in one verse where 'some soldiers' children came out to play'. I don't remember exactly but he was to take their names for 'disturbing people's peace'. Anybody know that verse ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 11:24 PM

As I recall, the words and tune are in AL Lloyd's book Folksongs Of England. I think Lloyd gives a first verse that does not appear in any of the versions above

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: Lanfranc
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 03:44 AM

My favourite version of this is the one by Martin Winsor on his "Troubadour" album with Redd Sullivan.

Martin sang "While standing sentry go one day, three officers' children came out to play....".

There may be other variations, I'll have a listen and post again if there is anything that might be of interest.

Time I learned this song!!

Alan

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: mooman
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 04:11 AM

Dear Guest Tom Smith,

The version of the verses I sing about the soldiers' children goes:

One pleasant evening in the month of May
Some soldiers' children came out to play
My captain came and he said to me
Go and take their names young McCaffery

I took one name instead of three
With neglect of duty they then charged me
Confined to barracks with loss of pay
For doing me duty the opposite way

Hope this helps,

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 04:24 AM

As Malcolm says it's a true story and research made I believe in Liverpool newspapers and recorded by Roy Palmer
A very wide spread nsong by army personnel, first heard from Dave Burland and set of words in MCColls 'Sing Island'

I sing this one as well and have it on demo CD, as well as others

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Feb 21 - 07:00 PM

Needs cleanup

Sung by Jim Lucas at the singaround.

The version of McCafferty that Jim Lucas sang is the one on this Mudcat thread: https://mudcat.org/Detail.CFM?messages__Message_ID=1113642

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 12:45 AM

Fulwood Barracks in Preston was the last and largest of a chain of barracks built in the North West in the wake of the Chartist riots of the 1830s.

The barracks - which houses the Lancashire Infantry Museum as well as being a working barracks - had been slated for closure in 2022. However, the MoD has now announced that it will not shut until 2027. The MoD said it was an "Updated disposal date following detailed work to assess the optimum laydown required to support operational capability." (Lancashire Evening Post) I don't think they were quite ready.

A fearful tragedy

We had the pleasure of walking to the Museum with Roy Palmer and his wife Pat. It was my task to go through the newspaper records in the Harris Library looking for reports of events that Roy had found recorded in songs.

The book The Old Lamb and Flag - The Songs and Story of Preston and its Guild has a nine verse version from the singing of Bill McAlister of Ashton, Preston in 1968. It is broadly similar to Ewan MacColl's version above, but with four lines missing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: Lighter
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 08:05 AM

Thanks for the link, henry.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 08:42 AM

I have sung “McCaffery” my entire adult life; it’s not what I’d call a party piece, but certainly a show-stopper with the right audience. I learned it from the Ewan McColl album “Bless ‘em All”, and adjusted my version over the years as I learned more details of the story.

I’m very grateful for this information.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Macafferee
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 04:41 PM

The Rambling Soldier by Roy Palmer (1977) has an eight page chapter entitled McCafferty.

"What a Lovely War!" by Roy Palmer (1990) has a three page chapter entitled McCaffery. He includes 12 verses from a manuscript book of songs compiled in India in 1937 by William Blackmore, a clerk in the 1st Devonshire Regiment. It was set to the tune of The Croppy Boy/Lord Franklin.

Here is some further background to the story of McCaffery;
Mutiny at Fulwood Barracks

Preston had a significant Catholic population. Another factor that swayed public sympathy towards McCaffery was the memory of the Preston Strike of 1842, which led to troops opening fire on the crowd of cotton workers, causing the death of four.
Preston Strike 1842