“The Courtown Fishermen”

Description

On June 9 a crowd collects at Courtown Harbour: "I fear the Glenrose she is lost" with six on board, capsized on the fishing ground by a sudden squall. "How could you pass them by ... For pity they besought of you to snatch them from the waves."

Notes

Ranson: Tune is "The Pomona" on p. 62.

Ranson has [an] alternative verse that explains the condemnation

"To see those men condemned to death, it was a dismal sight,

While one poor man upon an oar for his life did boldly fight.

And you, hard-hearted Arklowmen, why did you pass them by?

Aloud to you for help they called; you heard their drowning cry"

Arklow is on the south east coast of County Wicklow; Courtown is on the north east coast of County Wexford. "Courtown is a small harbour situated on the south east coast of Ireland approx. 15 nautical miles south of Arklow" according to the Courtown Sailing Club Online site. - BS

Cross references

References

  1. Ranson, pp. 107-108, "The Courtown Fishermen" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. BI, Ran107

About

Alternate titles: “The Glenrose”
Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1948 (Ranson)
Found in: Ireland