“Erin Far Away (I)”
Description
An Irish soldier lies fatally wounded in India. He asks his brother to tell his parents that he died nobly. He asks his brother to mark has grave so that his love can plant a shamrock on it. He dies and is buried; the other soldiers return to Erin
Notes
This song is frankly so close to Laws J7 that I find it impossible to tell them apart. Even the first lines in Laws's sample versions are similar. Laws does not give reasons for the distinction. One should therefore examine the references for both songs. - RBW
Historical references
- 1857-1858 - Sepoy Mutiny in India. The inhabitants of Northern India revolt against the East India Company on behalf of their ancestral customs (many of which, such as the murder of widows, were abhorrent to Western opinion)
Cross references
- cf. "The Dying Soldier (I) (Erin Far Away II)" [Laws J7] (plot, theme)
- cf. "The Soldier's Letter" (plot)
- cf. "The Last Fierce Charge" [Laws A17] (plot)
- cf. "I'll Be With You When the Roses Bloom Again" (plot)
- cf. "The Blessed Zulu War" (plot)
References
- Laws J6, "Erin Far Away I"
- Creighton-NovaScotia 71, "Erin Far Away" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Dibblee/Dibblee, pp. 84-85, "Old Erin Far Away" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT 548, ERINWAY1
- Roud #1805
- BI, LJ06