Father Tom O'Neill
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1960.166.A5
Original Tape ID
Summary
A fragment of the song 'Father Tom O'Neill', in which a young man leaves his poor family to become a priest.
Item Notes
2 verses; verse 1 has 4 lines, verse 2 only 3 lines.
The complete song tells the story of Tom O'Neill from Armagh, who studies to become a clergyman. When he refuses the advances of a young noblewoman, she pays a stranger to get her pregnant, then claims O'Neill is the father. Denying the charges, the clergyman is sentenced to transportation, until the stranger appears and reveals the treachery of the young woman. She is apprehended and Father O'Neill released.
Similar story to the broadside ballad 'Pat McGuire' (Roud Folk Song Index no. 16887).
See:
'Irish Come-all-ye's' (M. O'Conor, 1901) pp. 8-9
'Songs & Ballads from Nova Scotia' (H. Creighton, 1932) pp. 187-192
Item Subject/Person
O'Neill, Father Tom
Recording Location
County - Aberdeenshire
Parish - Old Deer
Village/Place - Fetterangus
Language
English
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Fair