Lyr Req: The Legend / Mandela (Dan Hannon)

Subject: Lyr Req: The Legend
From: GUEST,Tadhg Maher
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 08:17 AM

the start of the song i know is: i dream't i saw a legend just the other night, at the yankee stadium underneath the light...
It is definately newly composed,by who i dont know.....

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Messages from multiple threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Req: the legend
From: GUEST,tadhg maher
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 11:13 AM

does anyone know words of this song, it starts: i dream't i saw a legend just the other night....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From: Peace
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 12:31 PM

This is the second such thread I think.

Would you plese provide more detail. I presume the song is about Babe Ruth. But, maybe it's Joe D or Ted Williams or Jackie Robinson.

What type of song is it? Folkie, ballad, rockish, what?

When did you hear it? Where did you hear it? Etc.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From:
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 04:45 PM

Note, tadhg, you don't have to start a new thread every day.

We'll probably need more information than you've supplied so far. See Brucie's message for what might be helpful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 04:59 PM

It doesn't start the way you describe, but there is a song about a legend by John Gorka, written about Stan Rogers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 22 Apr 05 - 05:12 PM

A number of songs start out with a line such as 'last night I dreamed I saw...." or "I dreamed I saw...." etc etc.

Such as the song Joe Hill:
Full Lyric here:
Joe Hill
it begins like this:

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you or me
Says I, But Joe, you're ten years dead
I never died, says he
I never died, says he

So, you see, that type of opening line ins't all that unusual. Obvicously, you are referring to a baseball figure and not a Union Activist!

I think if you could provide us with where you heard the songs and metnion the name of the 'legend' who is the subject of the dream, we might be better able to help you. The more lyrics you can quite, the more we can help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From: GUEST,tadhg maher
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 06:31 AM

i beleive the legend is : Nelson Mandela
the song mentions people like, padraig pierce, bobby sands,etc,a few lines i can remember are:
I am padraig pierce now i was shot down by the foe, as i read the proclaimation from the steps of the GPO,
And the last voice that i heard is my name is bobby sands, i want to hear Mandela's words ringing through the land, i want to hear them up in belfast, fermanagh and tyrone, maybe now those english soldiers will know its time to go home.
obviously its a very patriotic, newly composed ballad and unfortunately i only know lines here and there and that one verse written above, any help would be appreciated thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From: tadhgmaher
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 11:56 AM

i jus remembered a few more lines of the song, still no clue what lines go where,:
Kevin barry is my name the working people are my life
They shot me down now in kilmainham jail with strife
And i am roger casement i was shot down by the foe
For bringing german rifles to the lonely banagh strand

Very last line of song:
Maybe now we will see Ireland reunited and free
Song title may not be correct(legend) and don't know who wrote it

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 11:39 PM

OK.. now, are we talking about the same song as what began this thread??

Are all these National heroes mentioned in the same song as Yankee Stadium and the line about 'dreamed I saw a legend' ?? I am stumped, I tried searching on all those names together and in various combination and can find nothing.

Where did you hear this song?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From:
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 07:10 PM

I agree with Dave's Wife. Can't find anything tying all these names together in one song or text anywhere. So far none of them seem to have anything to do with baseball(Yankee Statium) either.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 06:52 AM

I first heard the song about 2 years ago from a friend of mine whom i've now lost contact with. I really think the start goes:
I dream't i saw a legend just the other night
At the yankee stadium underneath the light
I heard a man speaking after years and years in jail
His name it was Mandela and he came to tell his tale,

After that words like 'south african cell'
'the crowd they cheered him ? and then the silence fell
'their names i could not tell' come to mind
Its only bits and pieces i can remember,
sorry the information is so vague

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 11:21 AM

Guest, you are doing a pretty good job of remembering the song! keep going!

Perhaps you can try and put all the lyrics you've shared with us in proper order. if you have gaps just use ..... or _______.

Putting all the lyrics down togther could be very helpful. I won't give up if you don't!

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LEGEND (Dan Hannon)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 10:57 PM

Nelson Mandela did indeed appear at a rally at Yankee Stadium, in June, 1990, only 4 months after his release from prison. There's an article here.

Lyrics below copied from another forum here.

THE LEGEND
written by Dan Hannon
recorded by Terry O'Neill

I went to see a legend just the other night
At the Yankee Stadium, underneath the lights.

I heard a man speaking after years and years in jail.
His name it was Mandela and he came to tell his tale.

The crowd they cheered him loudly, ah, but then the silence fell
As he spoke about the hard years in a South African cell.

And though he was free, his heart was feelin' the pain,
For his country and his people were still a part of that shame.

He said he hoped that we would join him and walk down freedom's path,
And these roads would be the hardest, oh, but they would be the last.

And to join our hands together so that we might be as one,
And to bring ourselves to the cause so his battle could be won.

I went home to bed that evening, went to sleep and I had a dream.
I was standing in the pouring rain, in an Irish field of green.

And all around the headstones were the martyrs of the past.
I stood there in silence, and they spoke to me at last.

"Kevin Barry is my name, and I died in a cell.
They wanted the names of my comrades, oh, but this I would not tell."

"And I am Roger Casement. I was shot in London town
For bringing German rifles to the lonely Banna Strand."

"James Connolly is my name. The working people are my life.
When they shot me down in Kilmainham Gaol with strife."

"And I am Padraic Pearse. I was shot down by the foe.
I read the proclamation at the steps of the GPO."

And the last voice that I heard says, "My name is Bobby Sands,
And it's good to hear Mandela's words a-ringin' through the land.

"I want to hear them in Belfast, in Derry and Tyrone.
Maybe then those English soldiers will know it's time to go home."

I woke up in the morning. I remembered them all.
And who would believe that they'd knocked down the Berlin Wall?

And I said "Mandela, could this really be?
Maybe now we will see Ireland reunited and free.
Maybe now we will see Ireland reunited and free."

[Sung by Terry "Cruncher" O'Neill on "Something Inside So Strong."]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the legend
From:
Date: 30 Apr 05 - 05:41 PM

Thanks Jim. Looks like you've solved the mystery of "The Legend"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: tadhgmaher
Date: 03 May 05 - 02:25 PM

jim,

thank you so much for finding the words of 'the legend' for me. i have been looking for them for a long time now and your help is much appreciated. i hope i might be of some help to you in the future. i also thank everyone who contributed to this thread, all i have to do now is learn the exact words and sing the song!!
Thanks again,

Tadhg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 05 - 04:00 PM

The song, although recorded by Terry O'Neill, was not written by him. I think it was written by an American woman/girl and given to Terry when he was in the States.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 04 May 05 - 07:32 AM

Wow. I searched all over the net on those names and came up with NADA! Jim Dixon, you rule!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 May 05 - 02:43 PM

Another example of not letting the facts get in the way of a good song !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From:
Date: 18 Sep 05 - 08:32 AM

i heard this song for the first time in the irvine no 1 celtic supporters club in irvine ayrshire on fri 16sep2005 sung by a group called the spirit of 67 the song and lyrics brought me to tears

it s a song that moves you so much and was sung so magnificiently by this group

i will be buying the cd by terry oneill called something inside so strong as i dont beleive anyone else has yet recorded this song

if anyone knows of any similiar type songs or great irish rebel songs
from unknown groups please let me know

hail hail

koala

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 03:20 PM

Its on an album called irish ballads by terry o neill.Its an irish album made by rearse records in ireland. I first head it in the nineties sung by a girl on a album by irish bill briggs live in san francisco.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST,justice! freedom! and then peace
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:57 PM

Terry was performing in newyork and was in a well known irish bar where he overherd a girl singing in the corner with a guitar and she was singing the legend! he told her he must have the words and she wrote them down for him and the rest is history as they say!
the legend is on a cd called terry o'neill - something inside so strong: great irish ballads its available on P.H.PEARSE records i seen them on sale in the sinn fein shop in dublin and belfast so im sure they have them for sale on their website.
if you liek this song other great songs are "on belfast streets (the plastic bullet song)" also sung by terry, and "song for marcella" by bik mcfarlne,"grace" and "willie and danny" by shabeen and "ainden mcanespe" also "the ballad of mairead farrel" their is also a song called "andytown girl" about mairead farrel which i heard christy moore and terry o'neill sing together on stage at feile an phobail last year it is an amazing song but i don't belive it is recorded! if any one has any information on that song let me know!
the line
" I was standing in the pouring rain, in an Irish field of green."
makes all the hairs on my body stand on end every time! brilliant song!!
slán!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 11:21 PM

I believe the 'girl' is Mary Courtney of Morningstar.
www.morningstar.iuma.com

Seamus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST,Ruairi
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 12:51 PM

According to the song, Roger Casement was shot. This is incorrect. He was actually hanged.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: Dan Hannon
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 03:33 PM

I wrote the song you are inquiring about.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 03:51 PM

this song was actually writting by a New Yorker named Danny Hannon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 03:53 PM

i didnt see the post above me sorry Dan....Sean here :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST,dec
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 08:24 AM

I went to see a legend just the other night
At the Yankee Stadium underneath the lights
I heard a man speaking after years and years in jail
His name it was Mandela and he came to tell his tale

The crowd they cheered him loudly ah but then the silence fell
As he talked about the hard years in a South African cell
And although he was free his heart was feeling the pain
For his country and his people were still a part of that shame

Well he hoped that he could join them and walk down freedom's path
For these roads would be hardest oh but they would be the last
And to join our hands together so that we might be as one
And to bring ourselves to the cause so this war it could be won.


Hope that clears it up a bit for ye

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:52 PM

hello jim,
I know this thread started 2 years ago but I wrote the song you were giving the words out for and the name of the song is "Mandela" not The Legend.And your lyrics are not correct.
Dan Hannon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST,impy
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 04:00 PM

So where can I get this song downloaded on the net.
I have been asked to sing it (not at an open mic....guest I was reading your quandry of 2002) but I do not have time to go to Dublin

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LEGEND (Dan Hannon)
From: GUEST,jerry mccusker lead singer with bracken derr
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 06:50 PM

THE LEGEND
Written by Dan Hannon
Sung by Terry O'Neill

I went to see a legend just the other night
At the Yankee Stadium, underneath the lights.

And I heard an old man speaking after years and years in jail.
His name was Mandela and he came to tell the tale.

Well, the crowd they cheered him loudly, a but then the silence fell
As he spoke about his hard years in a South African cell.

And although he was free, well, his heart was still in pain,
For his country and his people were still a part of the chain.

He said he hoped that he would join us and we'd walk down freedom's path,
And although these would be hard years, oh, but they would be the last.

And to join hands together so that we might be as one,
And to bring ourselves to the cause so our struggle might be won.

I went home to bed that evening, I fell asleep, and I had a dream.
Well, I dreamt that I was standing there in an Irish field of green.

And all around were headstones of the martyrs of the past.
There I stood in solemn silence, and they spoke to me at last.

"Kevin Barry is my name, I was tortured in a cell.
And they wanted the names of my comrades, oh, but this I would not tell."

"And I am Roger Casement. I was hanged in London town
For bringing German rifles to the lonely Banna Strand."

"James Connolly is my name. The working people are my life.
And then they shot me down in Kilmainham Gaol; that's right."

"And I am Padraic Pearse. I was shot down by the foe.
For I read the proclamation on the steps of the GPO."

Well, the last voice that I heard says, "My name is Bobby Sands,
And it's good to hear Mandela's voice is ringin' through our land.

"I want to hear them in Belfast, in Derry and Tyrone.
It's maybe then those English soldiers will know it's time to go home."

I awoke then from my dream. I remembered them all.
And who would believe that they could knock down the Berlin Wall?

And I said, "O Mandela, can this really be?
Maybe now we will see Ireland reunited and free.
Maybe now we will see Ireland reunited and free."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST,Dan Hannon
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 02:12 PM

The name of the song is not the legend but "Mandela". It was written and copyrighted by me in 1991. The lyrics reprinted here are incorrect. My email is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST,Boru
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 07:52 PM

Hi Dan,

I'm a fan of Terry 'Cruncher' O'Neill and see him here in Belfast regularly in bars like the Hatfield (Ormeau Road) Fibber McGhee's (Docks), Madden's (Smithfield) and the Hole in the Wall (Newington). I'm also a huge fan of the version of the song that Cruncher sings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBUHpts1L-Y

Are you saying that the song Terry sings is in fact an adaption of a song that you wrote about Mandela?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST,Sharon McGovern
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 01:58 PM

Dan, congratulations on the song. I heard it a few years ago on Terry O'neills CD loved it. He does a great version. However, I would love to get the guitar chords for the song but have been unable to find them anywhere. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Dan for a great song and for keeping the names of some of our heros alive.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 08 - 04:21 PM

You should buy the shebeen and friends cd it has the legend on it. Its top quality you can buy it on shebeenlive.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST,Clantara
Date: 07 May 08 - 10:57 AM

The words of the song as originally written by Dan can be heard here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXaak-7YbVU&feature=user

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 04:52 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: Beer
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 08:18 AM

Here it is by Terry.
Beer (adrien)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBUHpts1L-Y

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: MikeJC
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 02:07 PM

Hi Daniel, I've been trying to contact you for ages and just picked up thread on Mudcat.
I met Mary Courtney in NY about ten years ago and I bought the MS album with Mandela. I went to more of their gigs and she was singing another song of yours about a Spanish sailor who is drowned at sea. The refrain is partly in Spanish and refers to the inscription on the inside of the wedding ring found on the shipwreck off the Kerry coast ( I think.)
Have you or anyone else recorded this song? I don't know the name but would dearly love to to hear it again and get hold of words and music.
Can I have the details of your publisher? The song made a big impact on me and the young lady with me that evening (a story for another time)

Kind Regards, Mike Cosgrave, Manchester UK

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (from Terry O'Neill)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 05:05 AM

i went 2 c a legend just the other night at the yankee stadium underneath the light
i heard a man speaking after years and years in jail his name is was mandella

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Dan Hannon)
From: GUEST,kaylaghirl
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 11:27 AM

im not 100% sure who originally wrote or sang it but my mate sings it in his band and they recently recorded music video for it, can be found on facebook on the druids page.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Dan Hannon)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 10 - 11:15 PM

This song is entitled 'Mandela' and written by Danny Hannon who lives in the Bronx, NY. One of the people (maybe 'the' first) he gave it to & who recorded it with her band 'Morning Star' was Mary Courtney of Co. Kerry, now living in the Bronx. She sings it better than anyone I have ever heard. She always credits Danny Hannon, and tells everyone to visit him on MetroNorth where he works as a conductor!

Someone posted her recording to Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR4qklI9v_s

It is also on her solo album 'Sceil Eile':
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mcourtney

I think the name of the other song that MikeJC referred to about the sailor and the ring is 'No tengo Mas que Darte' which Mary sill sings regularly. Her schedule is on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=1690580722&ref=ts

    http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/MaryCourtney1
    http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mcourtney3
    http://www.sonicbids.com/marycourtneymorningstar

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Dan Hannon)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 08:15 PM

Maybe Terry "Cruncher" O'Neill should be giving credit and calling the song 'Mandela' as it's writer, Dan Hannon, intended. This would help educate people and stop spreading misinformation. If he (O'Neill) feels that he can sing and record a song, then it is his obligation to be truthful about it's origins, including both that it was written by Dan Hannon, and that it was first sung by Mary Courtney.
Sin-é.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Dan Hannon)
From: GUEST,Guest-BH
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 08:38 PM

Sorry - correction: Dan Hannon himself first sang it, Mary Courtney first recorded it (to the best of my knowledge).

MikeJC,
The name of the song about the Spanish sailor and the ring is based on a true story: Danny saw the ring in the Ulster Museum in Belfast and saw the inscription "No Tengo Mas Que Darte" (I have Nothing More to Give You) and is entitled "The Girona" (written by Danny Hannon), which is the name of the ship in the Spanish Armada that sank off the coast of Ireland Oct 1588 near Giant's Causeway and among who's wreckage the ring was found. Mary Courtney still stills the song in NY, and relates the above information about it's composer when she does. I'll try and record it next time I see her, and put it on YouTube.
Hope this helps!
Sin-é.

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/pirates/girona.html

an excerpt:

The identity of the owner of another of the best-known pieces is unknown: a gold ring – probably a lover's gift – showing a hand holding a heart and bearing the poignant inscription 'No tengo mas que dar te' – 'I have nothing more to give thee.'

--------------------------

http://soap.tibus.com/ulster_museum/filestore/documents/world_cultures_factsheets/goldofthegirona.pdf

an excerpt:

The Galleass Girona
The Girona was captained by Fabricio Spinola of Genoa and she was one of four galleasses of the Naples squadron. However, at the time of her sinking off Lacada Point, near the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, on the morning of 26 October 1588, she was actually commanded by Don Alonso Martinez de Leiva. He was a member of one of Spain's noblest families and one of the youngest and most admired of the military leaders. A favourite of Philip II, he was Commander Designate
of the Armada in the event of the death of Medina Sidonia. Having survived the wreck of two other ships, the Sancta Maria Encoronada and the Duquesa Santa Ana, he heard that the Girona was sheltering in Killybegs harbour, Donegal, attempting to make some repairs. He struggled north with the remnants of the crews and infantry of
the two ships. Jettisoning most of the heavy cannon on board the Girona, a ship designed to hold 550 men became crowded with 1,300. When the Girona was dashed to pieces at Lacada Point, only five men survived and the brave de Leiva was not among them.
The first object which Robert Stenuit and his team found was a heavy boat-shaped lead ingot carried by Armada ships to make shot for muskets and arquebuses. Gradually, objects of a much more opulent and glamorous nature began to be recovered.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Dan Hannon)
From: GUEST,liam coen
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 02:40 PM

That great man also wrote Brosna Town that little town in the Kerry hills where he hailed from.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend (Dan Hannon)
From: GUEST,dan hannon
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 11:58 AM

My father Dan Hannon Sr wrote Brosna Town

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend / Mandela (Dan Hannon)
From: GUEST,Gina
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 03:20 PM

The lyrics for this song that I know are:

I went to see a legend, just the other night
Up in the Yankee Stadium underneath the lights
I heard a man speak there, after many years in jail
His name it was Mandela, and he came to tell his tale

Well the crowd cheered him loudly, but silence it soon fell
As he spoke about the hard years in a South African cell
And although he was free now, his heart was still in pain
For his country and his people still wore apartheid's chain

He said he hoped that we would join him
As he walked down freedom's path
That these years would be the hardest, but they would be the last
And to join our hands together so that we might be as one
Try to find ourselves the courage that this battle could be won

I went home to bed that evening, fell asleep and had a dream
I was standing in a cold rain, in an Irish field of green
And all around me headstones of our martyrs from the past
I was standing there in silence when they spoke to me at last

Kevin Barry is my name and I died in a hang man's noose
For they wanted the name's of my comrades but this I would not do
And I am Roger Casement and I died by England's hand
For bringing German Rifles to the lonely Banna Strand

James Connolly is my name, the working people were my life
When they shot me down in Kilmainham Jail it brought great bloody strife
And I am Padraig Pearse, I was murdered by the foe
For I read the proclamation outside the GPO

The last voice that I heard said my name is Bobby Sands
He said it's good to hear Mandela's words sweepin' o'er the land
I hope they hear it up in Belfast, in Derry and in Tyrone
Maybe then those English soldiers will know it's time to go home

I awoke the next morning, I remembered them all
And who would have believed they'd torn down the Berlin wall?
Or they'd free Nelson Mandela, oh could this really be?
Maybe now we will see Ireland reunited and free.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Legend / Mandela (Dan Hannon)
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 12 - 05:12 AM

Sorry folks the song begins" I went to see a legend
Just the other night. At the Yankee stadium underneath the lights
I heard a man speaking after years and years in jail his
Name it was mandella and he came to tell his tale