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09 Mar 14 - 01:15 PM (#3608490) Subject: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Jim Carroll Does anybody have any idea of the provenance of this song - I've heard it dozens of times but can find no reference to it whatever? Any help would be very much appreciated Thanks in anticipation Jim Carroll Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone Siney Crotty, Ross, Kilbaha Recorded in London, circa 1980 Young men you come sympathise in my sorrow And pity a poor maid that's sorely oppressed For since Cupid first stung me with his kindling arrow, My mind is tormented, I can't find no rest. I am hourly repining and constantly crying For a handsome young fellow as ever was known. For since Adam's creation, you'll find in no nation, A youth like young Edward, the boast of Athlone. In the spring when the small birds they all join together, They would charm the green groves and valleys likewise. They re-freshen breezes to note the mild weather They'll guide us through spring and the ? It was in that very season, a young man most pleasing, His charm and affection unto me made known. I vow and declare, my heart did ensnare, Young Edward the beauty and boast of Athlone. As I happened to stray, by the clear river Shannon, Where I first saw young Edward going out for a stroll. He saluted me most kindly, crying 'Dearest Mary Mahon', I hope I can escort you through the dark shady groves. I hope you won't refuse me, I pray, do excuse me.' Those words he repeated in his soft limber tone. I being sorely bent on my course straight I went With young Edward, the beauty and boast of Athlone. I courted young Edward for better than three years, A most modest young fellow as ever drew breath. Until a comrade of mine on us did discover, And soon put an end to our joy and our love. She told his aged mother that we went together, And to have us parted, as ever was known, It's in grief I do relate it, the job they completed, And banished young Edward, the boast of Athlone. But since he is gone, may kind fortune shine on him, And keep him from harm, no matter where he'll roam. May providence protect him, and angels may guard him Until he's safe landed on a far distant shore. And may that unhappy girl who banished my pearl, May she feel her remorse until her last dying moan. And likewise his aged mother who trumped the light forever To banish young Edward the boast of Athlone. |
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09 Mar 14 - 01:53 PM (#3608496) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: MartinRyan I recall hearing it in Tom Mc Hale's Folkclub in Athlone many years ago sung, I think, by Tony Holleran (of Caherlistrane, originally) - and/or by Pauline Sweeney. I know that Pauline had/has a number of Siney Crotty's songs so it's quite possible that he's the source in this case. In recent years, I think I've heard Cathal McConnell sing a version. Regards |
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15 Mar 14 - 04:58 AM (#3609815) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: MartinRyan Spoke to John Faulkner about this one last night. Without prompting, he came up with a vague memory of possibly hearing Geordie Hanna singing it many years ago. Have you asked Len Graham? I'll be in Inishowen next week and will ask around... Regards |
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15 Mar 14 - 07:07 AM (#3609832) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Jim Carroll Thanks Martin, would appreciate that Jim Carroll |
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15 Mar 14 - 05:06 PM (#3609906) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: GUEST,oldtimer I agree Martin , it was Tony Holleran (from Clonbur) I first & last heard to sing that song .Tony is doing well .Meeting him & Liz to morrow in Galway for their 40th anivry..Is maithe s caoimhn liom !Ta go maith s nior raibidgh go holc ! Mrs Flannery . |
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15 Mar 14 - 06:36 PM (#3609926) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: MartinRyan Cuir ceist air faoin amhrán sin, led thoil! And give himself and Liz my best regards, please! Regards |
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01 May 14 - 05:29 PM (#3623480) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: GUEST,Tony Monaghan Hi All, I hope to be tying down this song with Tony Holleran shortly. In the mean time, there are a few corrections to be made to bring the text here in line with the Siney Crotty version (I believe) Verse 1 Line 1 - I cannot make out the first few words at all but the text is certainly incorrect. Verse 2 Line 3 The refreshing breezes denote the mild weather? Verse 2 Line 3 The violets do spring and the primroses rise? Verse 3 Line 6 Substitute mellow for limber? Verse 4 Line 4 Substitute mirth for love? Verse 5 Line 7 And likewise his aged mother who took delight forever? Can anyone make a better fist of the first line?? Tony Monaghan - Tullamore |
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01 May 14 - 05:42 PM (#3623487) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: MartinRyan Hi Tony - thanks for that. I know Jim has made a further attempt at deciphering his recording of Siney's version - with some help from myself. Would be very interested to hear Tony (Holleran)'s comments. Give him my best wishes, please. Regards |
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05 May 14 - 01:40 PM (#3624206) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: raheenranger Formerly posted as Tony Monaghan (guest) Was talking to Tony Holleran today about this song. His opening line is: "Come listen to me and give ear to my sorrow" BTW: Having listened over and over to the Siney Crotty version, the best I can make of it is: "Young me, sons and youths ...." Verse 1 - line 4 "....with his killing arrow" Tony never had the second verse as sung by Siney Crotty. Verse 3 - line 4 he sings " I hope you will escort me ..." Line 5 - He agrees with "mellow tone" Verse 4 - -line 3 "until a comrade of mine our love did discover" Verse 4 - line 4 He agrees with "mirth" Verse 4 - line 6 "And to have us parted away from his home" Tony also had only half of the last verse - last two lines as follows: "And likewise his aged mother who took delight forever In parting young Edward, the boast of Athlone" Best I can do for the moment!! Tony BTW: To the best of Tony's memory, his version came a Mrs Moynihan near Mullingar. |
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05 May 14 - 02:05 PM (#3624214) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: MartinRyan Now that's interesting - I had guessed that Tony's version had come from Siney Crotty via Pauline Sweeney. Regards |
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05 May 14 - 02:18 PM (#3624220) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Jim Carroll Thanks to all here for your efforts - it should just about fill in all the blanks I have Do you have any details of Mrs Moynahan R-R? There seems to be no traditional source for the song. Best wishes Jim Carroll |
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15 May 14 - 01:10 PM (#3626249) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: GUEST,raheenranger Hi Jim, Mrs Moynihan was from the Rathconrath area. I spoke to her son Aodán recently and he told me that she did not sing very much and he certainly never heard her singing this song. However, she was a singing adjudicator and collector and recorded a lot of singers over the years. He has no idea of the existence or whereabouts of these recordings now unfortunately. He thinks it likely that Tony got a recording that she made and this is how Tony makes the connection now to Mrs Moynihan. I will continue to follow up. Pauline and Patsy Hanley may also have a recording (probably Siney Crotty), they have a big collection of stuff. Regards - Tony |
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16 May 14 - 03:52 AM (#3626347) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: MartinRyan Good work, Tony. Regards |
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03 Jun 14 - 09:04 AM (#3629925) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: GUEST,Tony Monaghan - raheenranger Perhaps my final contribution: Firstly, I think the fist line may be: "You winsome youths will sympathise in my sorrow" ?? This is how I intend to sing it anyway. Pauline Hanley got her version from Tony Holleran many moons ago but she has no recording at all of the song. Regards |
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03 Jun 14 - 10:28 AM (#3629940) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Jim Carroll Thanks Tony - much appreciated for all the help - frome everybody Haven't got round to working on the proof-reading yet - still finishing the annotations. Best Jim Carroll |
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03 Jun 14 - 11:28 AM (#3629951) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: MartinRyan Thanks Tony. Regards |
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03 Jun 14 - 01:10 PM (#3629993) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Noreen My version begins Come all ye nymphs and ye swains, sympathise in my sorrow and is very similar to the corrected version above, with no second verse. My version came from Mary McAndrew in Liverpool, 40yrs ago, but I don't know where she got it. I have never heard a recording of it, nor have I ever heard anyone else sing it. Happy to see this thread! |
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03 Jun 14 - 02:14 PM (#3630011) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: MartinRyan Which brings us back, by a commodious vicus of recirculation, to THIS THREAD - which I don't think I saw before! Regards |
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03 Jun 14 - 05:29 PM (#3630065) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Noreen Looks like I lost track of it too, Martin! :( |
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21 Jun 14 - 04:53 PM (#3635431) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: raheenranger Noreen, Thanks a million for the correct first line. Interesting that Tony Holleran, the only person I ever heard singing this song (apart from the Siney Crotty recording)did not have the second verse either. BTW: I have yet to find anyone the general Athlone area who has any knowledge of this song. Regards - Tony |
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22 Jun 14 - 09:06 AM (#3635566) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Jim Carroll We received a lovely postcard from Len Graham, who had heard we were looking for information on it He provided us with an original text of the song along with information on it. Len and Cathal McConnell recorded it from Barney McManus of Boho, in Co. Fermanagh some time in the 1960s; Cathal gave it to Siney Crotty and "it took flight from there". Our collection should be going up on the Clare County library website in September (if we ever stop finding songs we have missed!!) Thanks for all the invaluable help. Below is the full text of Siney's rendition, adapted slightly from the original singing recorded by Len and Cathal Jim Carroll PS Don't suppose anybody knows a song about a man with a nose like an elephant - might have to start another thread? Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone Siney Crotty Ross, Kilbaha Recorded in London, date unknown Carroll Mackenzie Collection YOU NYMPHS AND YOU SWAINS, sympathise in my sorrow And pity a poor maid that's sorely oppressed For since Cupid first stung me with his KILLING arrow, My mind is tormented, I can't find no rest. I am hourly repining and constantly crying For a handsome young fellow as ever was known. For since Adam's creation, you'll find in no nation, A youth like young Edward, the boast of Athlone. In the spring when the small birds they all join together, They would charm the green groves and valleys likewise. They re-freshen breezes to note the mild weather The violets to spring and the primroses to rejoice It was in that very season, a young man most pleasing, His charm and affection unto me made known. I vow and declare, my heart did ensnare, Young Edward the beauty and boast of Athlone. As I happened to stray, by the clear river Shannon, Where I first saw young Edward going out for a stroll. He saluted me most kindly, crying 'Dearest Mary Mahon', I hope I can escort you through the dark shady groves. I hope you won't refuse me, I pray, do excuse me.' Those words he repeated in his soft limber tone. I being sorely bent on my course straight I went With young Edward, the beauty and boast of Athlone. I courted young Edward for better than three years, A most modest young fellow as ever drew breath. Until a comrade of mine on us did discover, And soon put an end to our joy and our MIRTH. She told his aged mother that we went together, And to have us parted, as ever was known, It's in grief I do relate it, the job HAVE completed, And banished young Edward, the boast of Athlone. But since he is gone, may kind fortune shine on him, And keep him from harm, no matter where he'll roam. May providence protect him, and angels may guard him Until he's safe landed on a far distant shore. And may that unhappy girl who banished my pearl, May she feel her remorse until her last dying moan. And likewise his aged mother who took delight forever And banish young Edward, the boast of Athlone. |
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01 Jun 20 - 12:48 PM (#4056505) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Noreen I've just found this thread again after a fresh internet search- I was still under the impression it was a largely unknown song. Great to hear there is a bit more known history to it now, thanks so much. There's a pub recording of Siney Crotty singing this, stored at the British Library but I can't get it to play : Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone / Siney Crotty Can also view the Xml file but I don't know what to do with it. It's a singular tune, not used for any other song as far as I know. Anyone any ideas how I can hear this?? |
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01 Jun 20 - 01:09 PM (#4056508) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: GUEST,Gealt The reason it's not well known in Athlone is because the beauty goalpost is very high and poor auld Ned didn't cut the mustard in the town. |
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01 Jun 20 - 08:26 PM (#4056584) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Noreen Ah, perhaps but he was the Boast of Athlone also! Perhaps they just boasted very quietly. |
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22 Jun 20 - 02:38 PM (#4060802) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: Noreen Refresh- as I'm planning to sing this obscure and very lovely song in tonight's Mudcat International Zoom session This should make it easier for Joe to find :) |
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22 Jun 20 - 08:36 PM (#4060853) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: GUEST,Man of Letters. He might have been the Beast of Athlone... |
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22 Jun 20 - 08:38 PM (#4060855) Subject: RE: Origins: Edward the Beauty and Boast of Athlone From: GUEST,Man of Letters. (Edward Hyde) |