“Garvagh Town”
Description
The singer meets the "star of Garvagh town." She refuses his advances because he is a Roman Catholic. She remarks favorably on the "twenty-two religions held up in Garvagh town." They share a drink, discuss their differences further, shake hands and part
Notes
See "The Banks of Dunmore" for a song in which a Protestant suitor meets and is converted by a Roman Catholic farmer's daughter; after his conversion they marry. - BS
Garvagh is in County Derry, and in 1813 was the site of an incident of religious violence (see the notes to "March of the Men of Garvagh"), so it is a logical site for a meeting of religions. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "The Protestant Maid" (subject: religious conversion) and references there
References
- McBride 34, "Garvagh Town" (1 text, 1 tune)
- BI, McB1034