“Johnny Gallagher (Pat Reilly)”

Description

Johnny takes the bounty to join the army and a shilling to buy ribbons for his sweetheart or cockade. He complains of his cruel stepmother, his uncle "the ruin and downfall of me," and his father -- or recruiting sergeant -- who never "learnt me a trade"

Supplemental text

Johnny Gallagher (Pat Reilly)
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Kenneth Peacock, Songs of the Newfoundland Outports, Volume II,
pp. 469-470. Sung by William Stevens, Bellburns, August 1959.

As I was a-smoking, my pipe in my hand,
I said, "Johnny Coughlin, you're a handsome young man.
If you'll take this bounty and come along with me
From the sweet County Carlow, strange faces to see."

(4 additional stanzas)

Broadsides

• Bodleian, Harding B 11(1912), "Johnny Golicher" ("As I was walking through Newry one day"), H. Such (London), 1849-1862; also Firth c.14(119), Firth b.25(358), Firth c.14(120), "Johnny Golicher"; 2806 c.15(312), "Johnnie Gallocher"; 2806 c.15(263), "Johnny Gallacher"; Harding B 17(147b), "Johnny Gallocher"; 2806 c.15(242), Firth c.14(121), Firth c.26(208)[some lines illegible], 2806 c.15(311), "Johnny Gallagher"; 2806 c.15(312), "Johnnie Gallocher"

References

1. Peacock, pp. 469-470, "Johnny Coughlin" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. SHenry H574, p. 80, "Pat Reilly" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. ST Pea469 (Partial)
4. Roud #920
5. BI, Pea469