School: Clochar na Trócaire, Ros Ó gCairbre (roll number 14813)

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1. Tales of the Famine Period

   

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   Andy Hayes had been a workman for my father. He died, leaving four sons, John, Charley, Thade and Andy. The mother was known as Jillen Andy. The eldest son John, enlisted and was killed in India, Charley got a fairy-punch in one of his legs, & the leg was cut off by Dr. Donovan & Dr. Fitzgibbon. Andy also enlisted and was killed in the English service. Thade was a simpleton or "innocent" - no harm in him.
   I was at play one day in the street, my mother sitting at the door step. Thade came up to her & told her his mother was dead, and asked if she would let me go with him to dig the grave for her. My mother told me to go with him & I went. Every incident noted in the verses came under my notice."
   Here are the pathetic verses referred to by Rossa.
   I
   "Come to the graveyard if you're not afraid
   I'm going to dig my mother's grave; she's dead,
   And I want some one that will bring the spade
   For Andy's out of home, & Charley's sick in bed.
   II
   Thade Andy was a simple spoken fool
   With whom in early days I loved to stroll,
   He'd often take me on his back to school,
   And make the master laugh himself, he was so droll.
   III
   In songs & ballads, he took great delight
   And prophecies of Ireland yet being freed;
   And singing them by our fireside at night,
   I learned songs from Thade before I learned to read.

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

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