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16 Nov 99 - 03:04 PM (#136916) Subject: Johnson's Motor Car From: ChrisE Hi I got another song that I have to analize.... I need some background information about "Johnson's Motor Car". I already have some but it might not be enough.....thanx ChrisE |
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16 Nov 99 - 06:18 PM (#137015) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: Reiver 2 It's an Irish "rebel" song, about an IRA contingent who tricked Dr. Johnson (not a rebel sympathizer) and commandeered his car to provide themselves with transportation to their assembly point at Dunbar. I don't know the historicity of the event. Whether Dr. Johnson was a real person, whether the event actually happened or not, etc.? I very much suspect that it was based on an actual incident, but don't know for sure. Perhaps someone from the area can tell us -- I'd really like to know. I can provide the words, but surely they must be in the Mudcat data base. A great, rollicking song. I learned it from an Irish group called The Johnstons -- a family group (brothers/sisters) I believe. There again any clarification would be appreciated. Some fantastic harmonies, not to mention banjo picking on that recording! |
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16 Nov 99 - 06:25 PM (#137021) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: Reiver 2 Just checked and, yes it's in the data base -- same words that I have. Don't know how to set up one of those little blue clicky thingys, but just type in Johnson's Motor Car in the "search" box and you'll get it. Hope someone can enlighten us on the background of the song as to how much of it really happened. |
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16 Nov 99 - 06:29 PM (#137025) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: Susanne (skw) This should answer some of your questions: [1965:] Composed by William Gillespie of Sessiaghoneil, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, a man who is still alive (1965). Two weeks ago he assured me that Dr. Johnston of Stranorlar had the biggest and best motor-car in the area during the War of Independence. And so this very practical joke was played on him. This is one of the few incidents when the ruthlessness of the campaign in the North was tempered with a little levity. The tune is one used widely by local poets for their home-spun products. (Paddy Tunney, notes Dominic Behan, 'Easter Week and After') |
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16 Nov 99 - 10:39 PM (#137138) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: Mbo In "Pat of Mullingar" Paddy Mulligan takes a ride "With the I.R.A. brigade in Johnson's motorcar!" Great song by the Irish Rovers! --Mbo |
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18 Nov 99 - 06:04 PM (#138069) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: Philippa thanks Suzanne. There was a previous thread on this topic, joy-riding |
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28 Nov 99 - 11:32 AM (#141700) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: Annraoi a Philippa, an raibh 'fhios agat gurbh é Willie Gillespie colceathair mo mháthair maithe ? Tá mé ag déanamh go dtug mé iomlán an scéil seo ar Mudcat anuraidh. Má tá dul amugha orm, chuirfidh mé sa tsnáth seo aríst é. Annraoi |
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28 Nov 99 - 11:59 AM (#141706) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: Sea Ross I have this song by the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem recorded in 1962, so it is a liitle older than previously stated. It is arranged & adapted by Liam Clancy. |
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28 Nov 99 - 12:02 PM (#141707) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: McGrath of Harlow My father used to say that Dr Johnson was in on it anyway, but he had to say the car was hijacked to keep out of trouble. |
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25 Feb 02 - 09:44 AM (#657426) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST,Moleskin Joe Does anyone know whether William Gillespie was Hugh Gillespie's father? |
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25 Feb 02 - 01:06 PM (#657547) Subject: RE: Help: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST,Philippa Annraoi should know as he says Willie was his mother's cousin |
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30 Nov 04 - 09:15 PM (#1343854) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST anyone know if a James Leo Mccarron from monaghan was involved in the comendeering of johnston's motor car? |
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26 Sep 05 - 01:47 PM (#1570963) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST,Guest, David Roeltgen According to his sister, as told to us by an Irish singer, my wife's grandfather, Seamus McNulty, of Co Donegal was the driver of Johnston's motor car after it was appropriated by the IRA. |
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26 Sep 05 - 07:15 PM (#1571096) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: Mrrzy WHen I was in Ireland in 1984, I tried to get somebody to play this song, and got LAUGHED at by the band... |
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27 Sep 05 - 08:01 AM (#1571371) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: Flash Company I had the Clancy Bros version of this, and would place that at about 1960-62. Did a parody of it in one of the song challenges last year, Noddy's Motor Car. FC |
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22 Apr 07 - 03:17 AM (#2032431) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST Dr Johnson was my GG Grandfather. My grandmother often tells the story of when his car was commandeered by the IRA and yes it is true |
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25 Feb 13 - 12:20 PM (#3483578) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST Yes he was true. I actually have two medicine bottles from Dr Johnstone that my grandfather left to me after he passed away last year. He often spoke about the song and its origins as he was from the Glenmore area of Ballybofey. As a singer it's great to have a piece of history from a song. |
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25 Feb 13 - 12:23 PM (#3483579) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST It's actually spelled Johnston on the bottles |
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03 Dec 13 - 05:27 PM (#3581183) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST,N Kane My mother's uncle Mandy Houston was also in the car, he was last survivor when he died in mid 1980's. He had full military honours at funeral. My father has recording of him talking about his time in IRA. |
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03 Dec 13 - 05:41 PM (#3581186) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: The Sandman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtdIQr-AmYM&feature=youtu.be |
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29 Mar 16 - 01:46 AM (#3781994) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST,Cathal My family are convinced our mothers uncle was involved with the IRA unit who commandeered the car. His name was Tommy Pattons. Anyone familiar with this name? |
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29 May 17 - 07:16 AM (#3857682) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST,Valerie Re Johnsons motor car. My partner is from Stranorlar and he pointed out where Dr Johnsons house used to be when we went on a visit recently. |
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07 Jun 19 - 12:24 PM (#3995537) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST,jim bainbridge I've enjoyed singing this rebel song for many years- I heard Bob Davenport and also Nigel Denver singing it and picked it up by osmosis! News today on the 'Irish News' website is that the actual car has been found in Donegal! |
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08 Jun 19 - 07:44 PM (#3995698) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: Mrrzy 1994, sorry, but still. |
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09 Jun 19 - 02:08 PM (#3995736) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: Thompson A witness statement from the Bureau of Military History which has a brief reference to Johnston's (not "t" motor car. |
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09 Jun 19 - 04:13 PM (#3995754) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST Johnston or even Johnstone would generally be a more likely form than without the 't' in Scotland & therefore Northern Irish/Unionist circles |
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10 Jun 19 - 11:39 AM (#3995823) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST,Modette There's more than a few chuckles here about this story (note the spelling of the name, by the way). JMC discovery |
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10 Jun 19 - 12:13 PM (#3995828) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: The Sandman well modetette aka [ geoff w] thanks |
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10 Jun 19 - 01:18 PM (#3995842) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST 'What will my loyal brethren think, when they hear the news My car it has been commandeered by the rebels at Dunluce (sp?) We'll give you a receipt for it, all signed by Captain Barr And when Ireland gets her freedom boy, you'll get your motor car' |
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06 Nov 21 - 09:36 PM (#4125396) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST My great grandfather, Henry was one of the men. I love learning more of this story. Our family is so proud of his bravery. |
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07 Nov 21 - 05:24 AM (#4125418) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: GUEST,jim bainbridge I sang this once at Joe Stewart's pub in Kiltyclogher some years ago- bit of a cheek for a Geordie, and had one or two points corrected by that fine singer Rita Gallagher- she lives around the twin towns of Ballybofey/Stranorlar, so ask her any questions maybe! |
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07 Nov 21 - 04:12 PM (#4125480) Subject: RE: Origins: Johnson's Motor Car From: The Sandman I remember Big Jim singing this song in Rosies pub in Ballydehob, and a charcter by the name of Tim The feathers aka tim the greaser, rising up and dancing, gesticulating fiercely during the chorus bit |