“The Emigrant's Farewell to Donegal”

Description

It is 1846 and the singer is leaving Donegal. His father's five acres cannot support the family. He proposes to his sweetheart, she agrees, they marry and leave for America where "no rents or taxes we pay at all"

Notes

The ballad takes place during the famine years in Ireland. - BS

For background on the famines, see the notes to "Over There (I - The Praties They Grow Small)." - RBW

Historical references

• 1845-1847 - The Irish potato famines

Cross references

• cf. "Over There (I - The Praties They Grow Small)" (subject: The Potato Famines) and references there

Broadsides

• Bodleian, 2806 b.9(81), "A New Song Call'd the Emegrants Farewell to Donegall," P. Brereton (Dublin), c.1867

References

1. Zimmermann 57, "A New Song Called the Emigrant's Farewell to Donegal" (1 text)
2. BI, Zimm057