The Boys of Mullaghbawn
| TYPE | 3 - Complex Melody |
| TOPIC | Jacobite |
| TUNE STRUCTURE | abba (2bars) |
| VERSE STRUCTURE | 5v 4l |
| TIME SIGNATURE | C |
| KEY SIGNATURE | ♯ |
| TONAL CENTRE | G/E |
| INCIPIT | GABAGEEEF♯GAB |
| GENRE | Ballad |
| TEXT SOURCE | P.W. Joyce, Old Irish Folk Music and Song (Dublin, 1907), pp.206-7 |
| TUNE SOURCE | as above |
| FIRST LINE | On a Monday morning early, as my wandering steps did lead me |
| NOTATED INCIPIT | |
| It is not possible to ascertain the exact date of composition for either the air or words to 'The Boys of Mullaghbawn'. The song appears to contain Jacobite allusions through its references to birds, but Joyce argued that the song recounts the deportation of young men for 'illegal practices (about 1798) or seized and sent on board ship by a pressgang'. He states that he was taught the tune before realising he had broadsides with the words in his collection. Moylan (2000) considers the song to belong to the revolutionary age and includes it as such in his collection. This is the first printing of the tune and song together. | |
The Boys of MullaghbawnOn a Monday morning early as my wand'ring steps did lead meDown by a farmer's station thro' meadow and green lawn;I heard great lamentation as the small birds they were warbling,Saying, we'll have not more engagements with the Boys of Mullaghbawn.Esquire Jackson he's unequalled for honour and for reason.He never turned traitor nor betrayed the rights of man;But now we are in danger by a vile deceiving strangerWho has ordered transportation for the Boys of Mullaghbawn.As those heroes crossed the ocean, I'm told the ship in motionWould stand in wild commotion as if the seas ran dry:The trout and salmon gaping as the Cuckoo left the stationSaying 'Farewell to lovely Erin and the hills of Mullaghbawn.'To end my lamentation, we are all in consternation,For want of education I here must end my theme,None cares for recreation, since, without considerationWe are sent for transportation from the hills of Mullaghbawn.