School: Shercock

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1. The Battle of Shercock

   

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   This poem was written to commemorate the battle of Shercock which took place in 1814. The story was written before in the Folklore book by Mary Francis Fidgeon Main St. Shercock. The song was told to me by Larry Culleton who lives about 1½ mile from Shercock who is about 90 years of age.

   On the 30th day of May, eighteen hundred and fourteen,
   This bloody murder, in Shercock town had been,
   T'was comitted by serpents, under Satan's command.
   By an infernal core of the blood thirsty band.

   Its to Johnston's there gathered a damned committee.
   Assembled in counsel, all by their master's knee,
   He whispered quite slowly, right known what to say,
   Well knowing his scholars, would gladly obey.

   Says Johnston, the most of you, are very poor.
   You have neither money, nor cattle, or any great store,
   I'd have you for better, to lay out some scheme.
   To find yourselves money, your cause to maintain.

   Says Johnston, the fair of this town's coming on,
   And let each of you privately, lay in your gun,
   Billy Wemp, will give "powder". Tom Black will make "ball".
   And many's the wealthy Catholic, that day will make fall.

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Vera Cassidy

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Shercock, Co. Cavan