School: Johnstown (roll number 877)

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1. The Park Murders

   

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   The Park Murders
   and verses composed about the Shooting of the Informer:-

   
   Mrs Reilly remembers the Park murders. She saw the jarvey Brabazon who drove the murderers to the Park on that day. He never got a fare afterwards. He was called Skin the Goat.

   
   A young fellow of 19 called Kelly from Donegal was one of the two who did the deed. They meant to to do no harm to Lord Cavendish and didn't know who he was but when he tried to defend himself - and Burke they turned on him too.

   A man named Carey informed on them. He had to leave the country but was followed by a man named O'Donnell and shot.

   
   My name is Pat O'Donnell and I came from Donegal

   I am you know a deadly foe to traitors one and all,

   For the shooting of James Carey I was tried in London town

   And on the fatal scaffold boys my life I must lay down.

   
   * * *

   
   I sailed on board the ship Melrose in August '83

   And on my voyage to Cape Town there all alone was I

   And when I found out Carey we had angry words and blows

   The villain he strove to take my life on board the ship Melrose

   
   * * *

   
   I stood up in my own defence to fight before I'd die

   I drew my pocket pistol and at him I let fly,

   I fired the 2nd volley which pierced him to the heart

   And I gave him a 3rd one boys before I did depart.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. genre
      1. poetry
         1. folk poetry (~9,504)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Mrs Reilly

   Gender

   Female

   Age

   Over 70

   Address

   Johnstown, Co. Meath