Ireland's Favourite Ballad!
So 'Raglan Road' was named as Ireland's favourite ballad ~ no argument with that ~ but as I said further back leaving out 'Paddy's Lamentation' was strange given its importance with regard to the number of Irishmen who died in the American Civil War. The above song though was collected by Francis James Child who was an American professor at Harvard University and popularized by Irish folklorist Tom Munnelly who got it off an Irish Traveler named John Reilly from Boyle in County Roscommon, as did Christy I believe. A dark and sinister ballad it was used in the intro to the film ' The Magdalene Sisters' for obvious reasons. Sean Mackin recorded it there and definitely worth a listen. There are other versions out there and Saya Novinger knocks the hell out of it if you'll pardon the pun. Many stories about the song, true or not I don't know, (lost for over one hundred and fifty years ~ banned in Cromwell's time) etc. You have to be dammed good to go at it with a bodhran and in the best of your health and given that difficulty and the content of the song with regard to the treatment of women in Irish society, how it got left off the list I don't know! Think I'll make up a listen of my favourite ballads. Also known as 'The Maid and the Palmer'. Uploaded by 'fullshilling' on youtube. With thanks.
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