School: Lios Uí Chearbhaill (B.), Malla (roll number 12015)
- Location:
- Liscarroll, Co. Cork
- Teacher: Conchobhar Ó Murchadha
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0367, Page 070
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“Twas back long ago in the year '68...”
Twas back long ago in the year '68
When the landlord and agent were running the State
And the tenant implored with his hat in his hand
That their honours might let him hold on to the land
And the Fenians were scattered and chased day & night
But what matter! although they went down in the fight
They left us the Spirit that laughed at all fear
And inspired them to die for the cause they held dear
'Twas then you might find a great boy here & there
Who leaped a big river with five feet to spare
With a gun in his hand and the bag on his back
While he laughed at the game-keeper hard on his track
Or who hammered the peelers in Buttevant Square
When they tried to arrest him the day of the fair.
Now big William Murphy well-known far and wide
A fine able man with no swagger or pride
Was famous at throwing the sledge and the weight
About the same time in the year '68
And his friends sent a challenge for miles all around
Declaring his master could nowhere be found
But at length and at last a bold rival was got[?]
To challenge "Big Bill" in his own native spot(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Mark Stokes
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Liscarroll, Co. Cork
- Informant
- John Mc Auliffe
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 56
- Address
- Farrihy, Co. Limerick