The Lamentation of Jane M'Cullen For the Murder of Her Child

Original Track ID

SA1955.15.A2

Original Tape ID

SA1955.015

Summary

In this fragment of a broadside ballad, a woman is transported for seven years for drowning her baby boy. The baby struggles out of the water, but she kicks him back in and he drowns. The next day, two fishermen find the baby's body on the shore and her guilt is confirmed.

Item Notes

3 verses.

This seems to be a very rare fragment of a broadside called 'The Lamention [sic] of JANE M'CULLEN, For the Murder of Her Child', printed in Cork, Ireland in the 19th century (possibly around 1860, according to National Library of Ireland manuscript collections). A version of the Cork printing also appears (undated) in the Bodleian Library broadsides collection. Also in 'The Mercier Book of Old Irish Street Ballads' (James N. Healy, Cork 1967, vol. 1, pp. 59-61), but with no notes on the source.

Sung to the tune of 'Lord Franklin'.

Recording Location

Language

English

Genre

Song

Collection

SoSS

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good