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23 Nov 04 - 07:32 PM (#1337052) Subject: info reqd: greyhounds/Villikins and his Dinah song From: GUEST,Max There is a song I heard a long time ago that I'm sure was about greyhounds or greyhound racing or someone who had an event with a greyhound. Anyway, greyhounds featured in the lyrics.It was sung to the tune, Villikins(?) and his Dinah.Please post lyrics if you know them. Thankyou Max |
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23 Nov 04 - 07:43 PM (#1337068) Subject: RE: info reqd: Villikins and his Dinah song From: Snuffy The song is Master McGrath Messages from multiple threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread. |
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24 Nov 04 - 10:35 PM (#1338377) Subject: Origins to: Master McGrath From: GUEST,Max "Snuffy has kindly steered me toward the words to "Master McGrath". For my liner notes, what is the story behind the song? Max |
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24 Nov 04 - 11:32 PM (#1338411) Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: MASTER McGRATH (from Noel Murphy) From: GUEST,Soundcatcher As Snuffy so rightly deduced the song referred to is indeed Master McGrath, however, I fear that in popularising folk music the Clancy's did seem to lose a verse here and there.
Here follows a very slightly different and more complete version along with chords that Noel Murphy has sung for many many years MASTER McGRATH
Am G Am
On the twelfth of December, that year of renown,
And when they arrived there in big London town,
And one of these gents from his nose looking down,
Lord Lurgan stepped forward and said: “Gentlemen,
Well, McGrath he looked up and he wagged his old tail
There stood Rose of England, the Saxon's great pride.
As Rose and the Master they both ran along,
“Now I know,” says McGrath, “we have wild heather bogs,
The hare she ran on with a wonderful view
McGrath paced the hare just as fast as the wind. |
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25 Nov 04 - 01:34 AM (#1338473) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Peace GUEST, Max If you Google "Master McGrath" history you will find three sites on the first Google page you're taken to that may answer your questions. |
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25 Nov 04 - 01:59 AM (#1338498) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Joe Offer Of course, it certainly would be worthwhile to explore the song right here at Mudcat. Here's the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index: Master McGrathDESCRIPTION: The great Irish greyhound wins the Waterloo Cup, beating Rose, "the pride of all England." (The two dogs discuss their respective countries. The owners bet large sums. The Irish celebrate the fact that their dog was better than an English dog.)AUTHOR: unknown EARLIEST DATE: 1926 (Sam Henry collection) KEYWORDS: racing dog gambling HISTORICAL REFERENCES: 1868, 1869, 1871 - Years in which Master McGrath, a hound belonging to Lord Lurgan, won the Waterloo Cup FOUND IN: Ireland REFERENCES (6 citations): SHenry H161c, pp. 32-33, "A Ballad of Master M'Gra[th]" (1 text, 1 tune) Hodgart, p. 215, "A ballad of Master McGrath" (1 text) OLochlainn 33, "Master McGrath" (1 text, 1 tune) Hayward-Ulster, pp. 61-62, "A Ballad of Master McGrath" (1 text) DT, MASMCGR* Richard Hayward, Ireland Calling (Glasgow,n.d.), p. 16, "The Ballad of Master McGrath" (text, music and reference to Decca F-2604 recorded Oct 4, 1931) Roud #3041 Notes: The date and master id (GB-3359) for Hayward's record is provided by Bill Dean-Myatt, MPhil. compiler of the Scottish National Discography. - BS File: Hodg215 Go to the Ballad Search form The Ballad Index Copyright 2007 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. Here's the entry from folktrax.org (which is admittedly hard to understand): MASTER McGRATH - "1869 being the date of the year, when the Waterloo sportsmen and more did appear" Champions of England against racing greyhound from Ireland - ROUD#3041 - HENRY SOP #161 - O'LOCHLAINN ISB 1939 pp66-7 Dublin - Cathal O BYRNE AIRO 1946 pp161-3 Notes about the race and the greyhound - O KEEFE FBIB 1955 p48 11v w/o - McCOLL-SEEGER 1986 p277 Sheila McGregor, Blairgowrie, Perthsh - Parody on this song see ARTHUR BOND -- Dominic BEHAN with Robin HALL (gtr): COLLECTOR JEI-1 1958 (45EP)/ (acc): TOPIC 12-TPS-145 1966 - John CORRY rec by James Foley, Castlederg, Tyrone 1985: 178 |
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25 Nov 04 - 02:32 AM (#1338511) Subject: ADD Version: Master McGrath From: Joe Offer The version in the Digital Tradition is from The Irish Songbook by the Clancy Brothers (Oak Publications, 1979). here are the background notes:
The version in Sam Henry's Songs of the People has 11 verses (the Clancys have 8). The Sam Henry book notes that M'Grath is pronounced M'Gra' - but we knew that, didn't we? It also says that Lord Lurgan's family name is Brownlow. Here 'tis: A Ballad of Master M'Gra[th] (no source given) Eighteen sixty-nine being the date of the year When the Waterloo sportsmen once more did appear To win the great prize and bear it awa' From the champion of Ireland, our Master M'Grath. On the twelfth of November, a day of renown, M'Grath and his keeper they left Lurgan town, A gale on the channel soon drove them o'er, On the thirteenth they landed on fair England's shore. When they arrived in big London town, All the great English sportsmen were gathered around, One of the gentlemen laughed a 'Ha ha! Is that the great dog you call Master M'Grath?' Then one of the gentlemen standing around Said, 'What about you and your Irish greyhound? For you and your greyhounds we don't care a straw, And will humble the pride of your Master M'Grath.' Lord Lurgan stepped forward and said, 'Gentlemen, If any amongst you have money to spend, For your great English greyhounds I don't care a straw, Here's five thousand to one upon Master M'Grath.' M'Grath he looked up and he wagged his big tail, Informing his lordship, 'I know you'll not fail; So, noble Brownlow, don't fear them ava', We'll tarnish their laurels,' said Master M'Grath. Then Rose was uncovered - - the great English pride - - M'Grath and his keeper, they stood side by side; The hare was let loose, the crowd cheered, 'Hurrah! There's the pride of old England against Master M'Grath.' As Rose and the Master they both ran along, Said Rose, 'I wonder what took you from home; You should have stopped on your Irish domains And not come to gain laurels on Albion's plains.' Said M'Grath, 'I know we have wild heather bogs, But you'll find in old Ireland both good men and dogs, So, hold on, Britannia, give none of your jaw And stick that up your nostrils, said Master M'Grath. The hare led off with a beautiful view, And swift as the wind o'er the green fields she flew; Rose gave the first turn according to law, But the second was given by Master M'Grath. M'Grath ran ahead as fast as the wind, He was sometimes before and sometimes behind, Then he jumped on the hare's back and held up his paw, 'Three cheers for ould Ireland,' said Master M'Grath. |
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25 Nov 04 - 03:28 AM (#1338526) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha Joe, The song was acreddited to Henry McCusker Lurgan, Circa 1880. |
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25 Nov 04 - 03:36 AM (#1338531) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Joe Offer Thanks a lot, Ard Mhacha - I thought there ought to be a songwriter attribution somewhere. Where's you find it? -Joe Offer- |
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25 Nov 04 - 03:47 AM (#1338539) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Keith A of Hertford I recall that our own Kevin McGrath of Harlow believes the eponymous dog was named for his grandfather. |
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25 Nov 04 - 06:09 AM (#1338604) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha Joe, An article in the Lurgan Mail some years ago gave the author as Henry McCusker of Lurgan, a relation of McCusker`s, now 82 years old, reminded me on many occasions that Henry wrote the words. And Joe do add the second verse on the DT. |
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25 Nov 04 - 08:50 AM (#1338711) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Snuffy The version given above by Joe is almost identical to the Dubliners' recording I have (but they omit the penultimate verse). Their tune is NOT Villikins. |
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25 Nov 04 - 08:52 AM (#1338714) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: GUEST,mick The song seems to be related to Skewball (stewball in US) about a racing horse. Skewball has the horses talking to each other in the same way as the dogs do in Master Mcgrath. I don't know which song came first. |
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25 Nov 04 - 09:23 AM (#1338745) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Snuffy Master McGrath can't be earlier than 1869, Mick. |
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25 Nov 04 - 09:38 AM (#1338752) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Crystal I agree the songs are similar. Both animals come from ireland, both are not favoured in the betting, both talk to their owner/the other animal in the race, both win. Probably have the same roots! |
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25 Nov 04 - 10:50 AM (#1338809) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha Crystal, Master McGrath was not favoured in the betting when he was first entered for the Waterloo Cup in 1869, but in 1870-71 and 72 he was very much favoured. |
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28 Nov 04 - 03:57 PM (#1341343) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: OldPossum The song Master McGrath can also be found in volume 3 of Folksongs & Ballads popular in Ireland, ed. by John Loesberg, Ossian Publications. For what it is worth, here is what his notes say: Master McGrath was named after an orphan boy who reared him in Colligan, Dungarvan and was two years old when he commenced running for his first Waterloo Cup in 1868. The dog had the distinction of being presented at court prior to the race and being petted by "all members of the royal family present". Lord Lurgan, its owner, stated that at the Waterloo Cup races of 1870 McGrath lost through foul play. The owners bookmaker had convinced the trainer to poison the poor dog causing it to loose that time. A memorial of Master may be seen just outside Dungarvan and strangely enough another may be found in Culford Hall, Bury St Edmunds, showing the respect he earned even with the English competitors. The tune is akin to: "Sweet Betsy from Pike" and "Still I love him". |
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28 Nov 04 - 04:30 PM (#1341374) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: akenaton I suppose Im the only mudcatter to hold a trainers license. "The Master was in fact bred and schooled by his owner Lord Lurgan in County Armagh from an English sire and Irish dam. The dam was a very fast bitch in her own right. The interesting thing to me about the dog was his size, only 54lbs. Today 54lbs would be very small for a bitch. Racing dogs today average 75lbs, and my largest dog weighed in at 94lbs. Due to the great competition in coursing now, Mcgraths achievments are never likely to be equalled Ake |
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28 Nov 04 - 05:00 PM (#1341389) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: MartinRyan Did we have a thread once on another dog, called Lost Light? Must check... Regards |
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28 Nov 04 - 05:01 PM (#1341390) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: MartinRyan No obvious sign of it here. I'll dig it up. Regards |
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29 Nov 04 - 03:52 PM (#1342359) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: GUEST,beachcomber Akenaton, I believe that you are quite correct about the birthplace of Master McGrath but, the greyhound was trained in Colligan, Dungarvan, Co.Waterford . Probably it had been bought after one or other of it's great victories, as is still common, for breeding purposes ? |
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29 Nov 04 - 04:18 PM (#1342382) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: akenaton Beachcomber...As far as Im aware Lurgan bred and owned the dog, its possible that he had him with a trainer in Waterford, although I would have thought lurgan would have his own trainer in Armagh. Waterford is still a big greyhound area. Most of my dogs came from a breeder in Kilkenny and were schooled at Waterford track....Ake |
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30 Nov 04 - 02:29 AM (#1342918) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Big Tim The Master was born in 1866 in County Waterford, being bred by James Galway of Colligan Lodge, Ballymacmague, near Dungarvan. The memorial statue, erected there in 1873, tells us that his mother ("dam") was James Galway's "Lady Sarah" and that his father ("sire") was Lord Lurgan's "Dervock". Lord Lurgan is usually given as the owner but it seems that he was jointly owned by the two men. The story goes that The Master was the runt of a litter of 5 and that Galway wanted to drown him. However a young kennel boy, called McGrath, pleaded that he be spared: he was, and then named after the boy. It's a good story, all the better for probably being true. |
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30 Nov 04 - 05:54 AM (#1342997) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha Akenaton, You are right, Master McGrath was trained by Lord Lurgan`s Trainer John Walsh a local Lurgan man, he was brought from Waterford as a pup. |
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30 Nov 04 - 07:25 AM (#1343043) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Crystal ard mhacha I was talking about the similarity between the two songs not what actually happened. Was White Rose a previous winner or was it national pride which made her the favourite? |
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30 Nov 04 - 03:04 PM (#1343523) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha Crystal, The Site which gave the Waterloo Cup Records has gone down the plughole otherwise I would have had some information on White Rose. Master McGrath`s record three wins was surpassed by Fullerton a winner on four occasions, in 1889, 1890, 1891 and 92. McGrath would likely have set a record 4 wins, but had the misfortune to fall through the ice of a small pond on the Course in 1870, he of course completed two wins in 1871 and 72 which added to his 1869 win made him the first three time winner of the Waterloo Cup, he won 36 of his 37 races. |
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30 Nov 04 - 06:52 PM (#1343736) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: Chris Green Touching on the afore-mentioned Skewball (and sorry for thread creep!) I was told that it was written by Terry Woods, as of Steeleye Span and the Pogues amongst others. Is this the case? I didn't know he was a songwriter. |
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12 Dec 04 - 08:30 PM (#1355156) Subject: RE: Origins to: Master McGrath From: GUEST There also is (or certainly was up to a few years ago) a metal statue of Master McGrath just outside Craigavon Civic Centre, the headquarters of Craigavon District Council (which covers the towns of Lurgan and Portadown, in North Armagh, Northern Ireland). The statue is unmistakeably masculine in its characteristics! There was also a locally (ie Northern Ireland, possibly Co. Armagh) produced dogfood called "Master McGrath" but I don't know if it still produced. Although it appears that Master McGrath was named after someone from Co. Waterford, there are certainly a few people of that surname in Co. Armagh (including 3 people at my place of employment, though 2, who started about the same time and also shared the same Christian name, soon left and the other recently changed her name). This is interesting as it is, I believe, a less common name in Northern Ireland than the Republic of Ireland. I have also heard it pronounce "McGra'" and "McGrath". There is presumably still a strong local tradition of keeping greyhounds as about 2 years ago the above council built a so-called "greyhound gallop" beside the Craigavon Lakes (a local recreation area). As a conservationist I greatly deplored this (its original siting threatened a colony of rare orchids, though fortunately it was moved some distance away), though the important point here is that there was supposedly a demand for it (though I have only once seen anyone using it!). Robin Morton of "Boys of the Lough" (also originally from Portadown) sang a song called "Jackson and Jane" about a talking racehorse called "Jane" owned by a Hugh Jackson of Co. Monaghan, on the first Boys of the Lough album. Possibly this refers to a real horse and owner. In the sleeve notes he says that Jane is Ulster's Stewball. Steeleye Span did a version called "Stewball" (or possibly "Skewball"). As we all know, no-one can talk to a horse, unless that horse should happen to be Mr. Ed! |
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30 Apr 09 - 03:51 PM (#2622130) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: GUEST,Rjim About the song, it predates both the clancy's and the dubliners hence the pouges as well. I have an old recording in storage by a Patrick galvin from the 50's I think. Galvin was a poet who to my knowledge only had 1 released album on major label, but he wasn't really a singer. I do not think he wrote the song but its the earliest recording that I know of. to Master Mcgrath cheers! |
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30 Apr 09 - 03:55 PM (#2622135) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: curmudgeon Patrick Galvin had three LPs of Irish Rebel Songs on Stinson an one of Irish Drinking Songs on Riverside. I would love to get a copy of this last one as it had some great songs I've never heard anywhere else - Tom |
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30 Apr 09 - 05:21 PM (#2622195) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Richard Mellish I THINK I learnt it from a recording of Dominic Behan. Words very close to the Sam Henry version above, but the first halves of the last two verses transposed. I sing Behan's song of Arkle occasionally but realise that I have partly forgotten Master McGrath and ought to revise it. Richard |
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30 Apr 09 - 07:46 PM (#2622266) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: McGrath of Harlow My father used to say the boy the master was called after was my great-grandfather. I've never investigated whether that was true or not, perhaps in case it's not. http://www.fotosearch.com/bigcomp.asp?path=DSN/DSN024/1813784.jpg Anyway, here's the Master McGrath monument in Co Waterford. |
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30 Apr 09 - 09:31 PM (#2622313) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Jim I Of course it is typical that the song talks of a race in London when everyone knows the Waterloo Cup was held in Lancashire! Just thought I'd mention that as I drove past the Master McGrath pub yesterday. |
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16 Jun 09 - 03:30 PM (#2657969) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha Jim, You are right to query why the song mentions Lord Lurgan as being in London, old McCusker`s geography wouldn`t have been very accurate. The Waterloo Cup was held in Lancashire and I am sure Liverpool would hve been the nearest port to the coursing field. |
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16 Jun 09 - 04:05 PM (#2658006) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: McGrath of Harlow Liverpool would scan easier - "big London Town" is a bit clumsy, and Liverpool Town would seem more natural. So maybe there's some actual historical basis for the Master being in London. He did get taken to meet Queen Victoria in Windsor, though that was after his victory. And there's a row of houses in Walthamstow called "Master McGrath Terrace" (in Shernhall Street). Here's a site with a biography and a couple of pictures. |
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16 Jun 09 - 06:05 PM (#2658073) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Jim Carroll A piece of Traveller folklore Jim Carroll Master McGrath origins. (Tape 24). 'Twas this working man and he was working for this big farmer, so the farmer always kept thoroughbred dogs. So this rough pup anyway, came like; oh, this is really the truth like; and he told him to take away the pup and drown him because he'd spoil the sale of his valuable pups. So bejay, your man never drownded him, the fellow working there; and he took him to his cottage and he kept him abide there. So he used always to be selling turf of a week-end with his donkey and car and he used to go into the town anyway, into Dungarvan, he used to go in there every Saturday with a bale of turf, and the pup used be following him. He used have the pup tied on to the shaft of the car sometimes. So he was inside every day. It went on so the pup kept growing and growing away. And weren't they coming home this day anyway, and they were all bragging about a hare that couldn't be caught, he was down in the bog in the back of his house. So away with your man anyway, the man that owned him, off down the bog someday, one day anyway. 'Jay, he turned the hare and killed him in the first round. So he brought him the hare with him then, into town, be said, "that's the hare you've all the talk about now", he said. So bejay, they though he was trying to give his dog a name, anyway, and they spoke about another hare, and your man was trying to buy the bale of turf off him anyway, so he was giving him a pound and he wanted twenty-five bob for it. He said, "I'll bet you the pound against the bale of turf", he said, "that your dog don't kill the hare", he said, "that's out in this Red Bog", they used to call it. He said, "you're on, if we can see him", he said, "he'll kill him". So off they go, the two of them anyway, and out to the Red Bog, and the first round again he got his hare brought him down so he'd two pound for his bale of turf. So that was all right, he started growing and growing anyway, and he started running then in trials and all that was going on. So that's how he got famous, that's how Master McGrath got famous; he made a millionaire out of him. Did you ever see the monument to him back there now? He built a monument back there, behind Dungarvin, even now, back on the side of the road. Master McGrath. 'twas in Waterloo here and, you know. Rose took the first round, according to law, But the second was taken by Master McGrath. He was poisoned then, that time, like. But he made a millionaire out of him, an awful wealthy man. Mikeen McCarthy, Kerry Traveller |
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16 Jun 09 - 06:48 PM (#2658099) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Joe Offer Up above, Martin mentionz a song about a dog named "Lost Light." As far as I can see, we haven't had that song posted and it isn't in any of our songbook indexes. Can somebody post it? -Joe- |
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17 Jun 09 - 03:22 AM (#2658337) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: MartinRyan Re Lost Light I thought I had posted it a long time ago, together with some background - but can't find any trace of it. I have a newspaper cutting with the story on file somewhere and will dig it up when I have a chance. Regards |
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29 Jun 09 - 06:07 AM (#2666941) Subject: Lyr Add: LOST LIGHT From: MartinRyan Here's the song about Lost Light. It was written by a young army private in Athlone at the time (1944) and was, apparently, very popular. Lost Light Winner of the Irish Coursing Club 1944 at Clounanna Air : Master McGrath Nineteen forty four it has dawned the new year For the Clounanna Cup dogs had come, far and near But a young brindled greyhound was standing alone And they called him Lost Light from the town of Athlone He was entered, you know, by J. Clyne of East Hill And he opened at 50 to 1 on the bill He was trained as a pup and well we all know That a dog trained by Clyne will put up a good show When he reached the final, excitement was tense The bookies were taking in shillings and pence So Lost Light drew his breath, he was feeling for home And he thought of the name he would make for Athlone So at last came the hour for the final contest Lost Light tossed his tail and he stuck out his chest He followed that hare, he was out on his own It's that cup and four hundred I'll bring to Athlone He gathered all speed and he passed Billy Conn And by Lucky House in a flash he was gone He winked at the Doctor, there standing alone Then moved along swiftly and next he was home The news reached Athlone that Lost Light won the day The tar barrel blazed and the people went gay The reception committee got ready at home And the band they turned out for Lost Light in Athlone So down to the station the townspeople thronged And Lost Light and the doctor arrived at half-one The cup was held high and to all it was shown That Lost Light was the Master McGrath of Athlone D.E.Williams they filled the cup to the brim And speeches were made by the town's leading men O'Brien made a speech on behalf of Athlone And they welcomed the sportsman once more to their home Guard Tobin he spoke of the dog and his course McFadden was there representing our Force All Emergency Services gathered that night As a tribute to Martin and gallant Lost Light So here's health to his owner, his trainer and all May their winnings be big and their losses be small And the number of trophies be it ever known That Lost Light will bring to the town of Athlone Regards |
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29 Jun 09 - 11:53 AM (#2667166) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Joe Offer Pretty good song, Martin. I'm glad you saved it - and found it. Was the tune "Villikins and his Dinah? -Joe- |
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29 Jun 09 - 12:01 PM (#2667173) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: MartinRyan The tune is the one used for Master Mcgrath, not surprisingly - which is also used for, among others, the Cod liver Oil song (Doctor de Jong rather than Adam McNaughtan!). I imagine we have MIDI for the McGrath tune somewhere. If not, I'll dig it up. Regards |
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29 Jun 09 - 12:03 PM (#2667176) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: MartinRyan Yeah - there's a (rather ponderous) MIDI with Master McGrath in the DT. Regards |
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29 Jun 09 - 12:12 PM (#2667183) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Jim Carroll The common tune used for 'McGrath is 'Villikins and his Dinah', also used for 'The Thrashing Machine' and many others. Jim Carroll |
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29 Jun 09 - 12:22 PM (#2667190) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: MartinRyan Thanks for that, Jim. One of the long-lasting confusions in my head has been the belief that 'Villikens and his Dinah' is the air of 'The Dark Eyed Sailor'! Regards |
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29 Jun 09 - 12:49 PM (#2667208) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: McGrath of Harlow I've never heard it sing to the tune I associate with Villikens. The tune I'm familiar with is distinctly different - though of course the meter is the same, so I imagine both tunes may have been used for both songs. Colm O Lochlann in his notes to Master McGrath in "Dublin Street Ballads" writes "Often heard in Dublin to the same tune as 'The game played in Erin/go/bragh'...Also sung to 'Villikens and his Dinah'." |
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29 Jun 09 - 07:34 PM (#2667616) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: MartinRyan So point me at a midi of Villikens and his Dinah till I sort 'em out, please! Regards |
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29 Jun 09 - 07:57 PM (#2667638) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: McGrath of Harlow Here's a YouTube clip. |
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30 Jun 09 - 03:42 AM (#2667758) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Jim Carroll Tune also used for 'Ould Orange Flute' (with slight variation) and (for those of us old enough to remember the The Stone of Scone incident) 'The Wee Magic Stane'. Jim Carroll |
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30 Jun 09 - 03:50 AM (#2667764) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Jim Carroll Sorry - that should be 'the first part of' The Ould Orange Flute; forgot it was a two-part tune. Jim Carroll |
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30 Jun 09 - 04:48 AM (#2667793) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha In the Lurgan area from way back, the tune was always "Villikens and Dinah", when I heard Ronnie Drews version it didn`t have the same impact. |
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30 Jun 09 - 05:18 PM (#2668333) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: McGrath of Harlow Here's a fine version by Sean O`Se with the tune I've always sung it to. |
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01 Jul 09 - 10:25 AM (#2668914) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: ard mhacha Thanks McGrath, that is my You Tube Site, the trainer John Walsh is included in the photo. Walsh was from the Lurgan area from the townland of Ballinery. David Hammonds version on the same lorgain2 Site is the version which was always sung in the Lurgan area. |
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23 Feb 10 - 12:00 PM (#2847751) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: GUEST,blackicerose Hi McGrath of Harlow, My grandfather used to talk about the greyhound being named after one of his grandmother's brothers, we have never researched it to see if it is true. I would be interested to know your great-grandfather's name to see if they are from the same family. My gr gr grandmother was Margaret Anne McGrath. "My father used to say the boy the master was called after was my great-grandfather. I've never investigated whether that was true or not, perhaps in case it's not." |
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15 Nov 10 - 11:23 AM (#3032726) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath ..lost light athlone From: GUEST great to read the song about lost light.the doctor was my uncle frank martin from connaught st. athlone. may they all rest in peace. brian martin |
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13 Jan 11 - 01:40 PM (#3073825) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: GUEST the same tune was a song about the hearts football team wich most friends of mine seem to sing. the tune is older than 1944 the first song was the song about villikins and his daughter Dinah. alot of the songs were written by writers hwho were around in the 1870s and that is true. |
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24 Sep 15 - 09:22 AM (#3739505) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: GUEST,Seamus Master MaGrath the smallest dog in a litter of 7, born in1866 at Colligan Lodge, Co Waterford. He won the Waterloo Cup on three occasions, 1868, 1869 and 1871 and was the first greyhound to do so. He became such a celebrity that his owner, Lord Lurgan, was asked to take him to be seen by Queen Victoria and the Royal Family. His success enabled his owner to build a terrace of houses in Walthamstow from Master McGrath's winnings. These houses now form part of Shernhall Street, but are still clearly marked at one end of the terrace as "Master McGrath Terrace". The statue to Master McGrath in Lurgan town, and the song...........https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-sIwOyaZwM |
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17 Sep 17 - 06:26 AM (#3877345) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: GUEST,Peter hulme I love this tune.My favouriterendition is by the Dubliners.At the beginning of the recording there'sa beautiful haunting bit of tin whistle music which seems to my novice ears to be different from the song.Does anybody know what this tune is called. |
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17 Sep 17 - 06:43 PM (#3877433) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Thompson The tin whistle tune isn't The Lonesome Boatman, is it? |
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18 Sep 17 - 05:22 AM (#3877491) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Murpholly We recently had to take a cat to the vet and she came from Lurgan! She said they still have an annual festival to Master McGrath. It's great that they still celebrate this wonderful dog/ |
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18 Sep 17 - 05:34 PM (#3877566) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: GUEST,leeneia Forgive me if somebody said this already, but in Ireland McGrath is pronounced m'GRAH. That explains the rhymes. |
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04 Sep 19 - 10:20 AM (#4007306) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: GUEST My great grandfather from Kilgobinet, Dungarvan. as a boy, would help the slipper exercise the dog and they named him Master 'McGrath' after him. My grandparents actually had the sash that Master McGrath won in the Waterloo Cup but this was given to members of Lurgan's family in the last century. There is still a statue of Master McGrath just outside Dungarvan. |
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04 Sep 19 - 01:00 PM (#4007325) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: beachcomber There is indeed guest. It was relocated, slightly, some years ago due to roadworks on a very dangerous junction and, naturally, there is a pub close to the monument. The monument itself has a few details about "McGrath" (a very prominent family name in the West County Waterford area) and a sculpted relief of the great dog himself. |
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04 Sep 19 - 02:18 PM (#4007339) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: Mrrzy I have this twice, once to the tune of Old Orange Flute / Sweet Betsy from Pike, and once to a totally other tune. Not sure but I think both are Clancies. Ideas on the other tune? |
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04 Sep 19 - 08:07 PM (#4007379) Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath From: GUEST,Mr McGrath Here's the late Davy Hammond singing that very song (this time in a major key) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibkNw3Y58pc. |