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Roddy McCorley

from Rud Nach L​é​ir by Lí Ban

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about

The tragic story of Roddy McCorley is still well known in the Toome area where this ballad is set, and Ríoghnach makes a great job of ‘telling’ the song here. A member of the Catholic Defenders, Roddy marched out to join the Presbyterian led United Irishmen at the Battle of Antrim as they fought for freedom, equality and fraternity for all in the fateful year of 1798.
The air used by us here was collected by George Petrie in 1833, just 33 years after the events mentioned in the song. Petrie didn’t publish any words along with the air, and these were first published in Colm O’Lochlainn’s More Irish Ballads in 1965. Déaglán first heard it sung by Róisín White from Attical in County Down at a house party in Armagh sometime in the 1980’s. We subsequently discovered that well known singer Paddy ‘The Punk’ Devlin from Toome has a great version of it which he got from his mother Celia Corr, and which he has generously shared with us.

lyrics

Roddy McCorley

Come tender hearted Christians attention pay to me
While I relate these verses great, these verses two or three
Concerning of a pleasant youth who was cut off in this bloom
And died upon the gallows tree near to the bridge of Toome

The hero now I speak of he was proper tall and straight
Like to the lofty poplar tree his body was complete
His growth was like the tufted fir that does ascend the air
And waving o'er his shoulders broad, the locks of yellow hair

In sweet Duneane this youth was born and raised up tenderly
His parents educated him all by their industry
Both day and night they sorely toiled all for their family
Til desolation it came on by cursed perjury

‘Twas first the father’s life they took and secondly the son’s
The mother tore her old grey locks and said I am undone
They took from me my property, my houses and my land
And in the parish were I was born, I dare not tread upon

Farewell unto you sweet Drumaul if in you I had stayed
Among the Presbyterians I ne’er would have been betrayed
The gallows tree I’d ne’er had seen had I remained there
For Duffin you betrayed me McErlean you set the snare

In Ballyscullion I was betrayed, woe be unto the man
Who swore me a defender and a foe unto the crown
Which causes Roddy for to lie beneath the spreading thorn
He'll sigh and say alas the day that ever I was born

Soon young Roddy he was conveyed to Ballymena town
He was loaded there with irons strong, his bed was the cold ground
And there young Roddy he must wait until the hour has come
When a court martial does arrive for to contrive his doom

They called upon an armed band, an armed band came soon
To guard the clever tall young youth down to the bridge of Toome
And when young Roddy he came up the scaffold to ascend
He looked at east and looked at west to view his loving friends

And turning round unto the north, he cried oh faithless friend
‘Twas you who proved my overthrow and brought me to this end
Since ‘tis upon Good Friday that I'll executed be
Convenient to the bridge of Toome upon the gallows tree

They called on Father Devlin, his reverence came with speed
Here's one of Christ's own flock he said ye shepherds for to feed
He gave to him the heavenly food that nourishes the soul
That it may rest eternally when his body is in the mould

And looking up unto the Lord he says oh Lord receive
Here is my soul I do bestow my body unto the grave
That it may rest in peace and joy without the least surprise
‘Til Michael sounds his trumpet loud and says ye dead arise

credits

from Rud Nach L​é​ir, released November 9, 2022
Vocals & Boxwood Flute - Ríoghnach Connolly
Fiddle - Aoibheann Devlin
Bodhrán - Feilimí Devlin
Acoustic Guitar - Déaglán Ó Doibhlin & Ellis Davies

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Lí Ban

Remembering old and creating new aspects of traditions from Lough Neagh and the Bann in the ancient province of Ulster in Ireland. Ríoghnach Connolly collaborates with family; aunts, uncles and cousins coming together to make this unique album.

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