“When Saint Peter's Day Was A-Dawning”

Description

Singer describes "the deeds of the sons of Saint Patrick" at a secret society meeting. "The Harp of old Ireland played Orange Lie Down" and woke the Brunswickers. "Banish this crew that our land did pollute" and let them go to some other island.

Notes

"Brunswickers" is a synonym here for "Orangemen." There is another apparent reference to Orangemen: "the Black Hare of Luther"; Luther is clear enough but I don't understand "the Black Hare" in this context [there is a reference to "these Luthers black" in Tunney-StoneFiddle: "The Defender's Song"]. "Orange Lie Down" may not be a real song; in any case, that title is a reference to "Croppies Lie Down," one of the Orange songs most resented by the nationalists. - BS

References

  1. Tunney-StoneFiddle, pp. 127-128, "When Saint Peter's Day Was A-Dawning" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. BI, TSF127

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1952 (Tunney-StoneFiddle)
Keywords: Ireland political
Found in: Ireland