“The Escape of James Stephens”
Description
Stephens escapes from Richmond. Foolish statements are attributed to the Queen, the Marquis, and Lord Wodehouse. The attempt to recapture him is ridiculed: "But one thing you'll not do, That is get from 'Parley-voo', The bird that thither flew"
Notes
The Fenians were an organization devoted to freeing Ireland. The organization was founded in 1858 by James Stephens, and quickly spread; the British government felt the need to suppress the group in 1865. Stephens and others were taken prisoner; although he escaped, it turned him cautious; he no longer had the nerve to take aggressive action. That pretty well killed the group as an active set of rebels; their attempt at an Irish rebellion failed in 1867.
For more on Stephens, see the notes to "James Stephens, the Gallant Fenian Boy." - RBW
Broadside Harding B 18(151): H. De Marsan dating per _Studying Nineteenth-Century Popular Song_ by Paul Charosh in American Music, Winter 1997, Vol 15.4, Table 1, available at FindArticles site. - BS
Historical references
- Sep 15, 1865 - _The Irish People_ newspaper raided and leaders arrested; Stephens in hiding
- Nov 11, 1865 - Stephens arrested; scheduled for trial Nov 27, 1865.
- Nov 24, 1865 - Escapes Richmond prison (source: Princess Grace Irish Library (Monaco) site)
Cross references
- cf. "James Stephens, the Gallant Fenian Boy" (subject) and references there
- cf. "The Shan Van Voght" (tune)
Broadsides
- Bodleian, Harding B 18(151), "The Escape of Stephens, the Fenian Chief," H. De Marsan (New York), 1864-1878
References
- OLochlainn-More 3A, "The Escape of James Stephens" (1 text, 1 tune)
- BI, OLcM003A