“The Maid of Ballyhaunis”

Description

The singer courts Mary, saying that her beauty has ensnared him. He begs her to love him, but notes that his father has told him they may not marry. He asks her to come away with him "to the land of ships," where they will be happy

Notes

This strikes me as far too intricate to be a genuine traditional song; the evidence strongly implies that it originated in a broadside. - RBW

References

  1. SHenry H483, p. 427, "The Maid of Ballyhaunis" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. OLochlainn-More 45, "Mary of Ballyhaunis" (1 text, 1 tune)
  3. O'Conor, p. 157, "Maid of Ballyhaunis" (1 text)
  4. Roud #7960
  5. BI, HHH483

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1831 (Hardiman _Irish Minstrelsy,_ according to OLochlainn-More)
Keywords: love courting father
Found in: Ireland