School: Keelagh
- Location:
- Keelagh, Co. Cavan
- Teacher: Ellen Reilly
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1025, Page 176
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An Old Song
“Where brutal strength it is required”
Mr. John Connolly, who wrote the following song was born at Ballyhaise almost sixty years ago, and educated at Ballyhaise National School. In his youth he joined the British Army and did service in India, but came home penniless. He had no means of living so he emigrated to Scotland and he made the following song while navying over in the Highlands of Scotland.I
Where brutal strength it is required,
Poor Mick and Pat to work are hired,
The brains and strength of Spanish mules,
Is all that's needed in these fools,
'Tis then you'll hear them boast and brag,
The spurned loots with tin and bag,
II
In Scotland were all Pats and Mick's,
The Irishmen who write with picks,
Let Cavan's sons be all advised,
That here their class is all despised,
For here they slave in sleeveless shirt
With pick and spade dig Scotland's dirt(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Paul A. Dowd
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Ardamagh, Co. Cavan
- Informant
- James Dowd
- Relation
- Parent
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Ardamagh, Co. Cavan