MySongBook.de

Henry's Songbook

© All original copyrights respected / For private use only



go to  de   Susannes Folksong-Notizen   English Notes  uk

Johnston's Motor Car

  • (Trad / William Gillespie)

    It was down by Egan's corner
    One morning I did stray
    I met a fellow rebel there
    And this to him did say
    We have orders from the Captain
    To assemble at Drumbar
    But how are we to get there
    Without a motor car

    Well Barney dear be of good cheer
    And I'll tell you what we'll do
    The Specials they are plentiful
    And the I.R.A. are few
    We'll wire into Stranorlar
    And before we'll get that far
    We'll give the boys a jolly good ride
    In Johnston's motor car

    When Doctor Johnston got the news
    He soon put on his shoes
    He said, This is an urgent case
    And there is not time to lose
    He then put on his castor hat
    And upon his breast a star
    You could hear the din going through Glen Fin
    Of Johnston's motor car

    But when he got to the Reelin Bridge
    The rebels he saw there
    He knew the game was up with him
    For at him they did stare
    He said, I have a permit
    To travel near and far
    You can stick your English permit
    We want your motor car

    What will my loyal brethren say
    Whene'er they hear the news
    My car it has been commandeered
    By the rebels at Dunluce
    We'll give you a receipt for it
    All signed by Captain Meagher
    And when Ireland gets her freedom
    You'll get your motor car

    They set the car in motion
    And filled it to the brim
    With rifles and with bayonets
    This made old Johnston grim
    And Barney hoisted the Sinn Fein flag
    And it fluttered like a star
    And they gave three cheers for the I.R.A.
    And Johnston's motor car

    (as sung by The Dubliners)

Susannes Folksong-Notizen

  • [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')

  • See also http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=8048

Quelle: Ireland

go back de  J-Index uk


Henry
© Sammlung : Susanne Kalweit (Kiel)
Layout : Henry Kochlin  (Schwerin)

aktualisiert am 20.08.2000