“Henry Joy”

Description

The singer from Ulster tells how he left his wife and children to follow Henry Joy McCracken. They are defeated at Antrim. Henry Joy is taken to Belfast by the redcoats and hanged in the barrack square.

Notes

Moylan: "This song possibly dates from the early 19th century" - BS

The ballad is recorded on one of the CD's issued around the time of the bicentenial of the 1798 Irish Rebellion. See:

Franke Harte and Donal Lunny, "Henry Joy" (on Franke Harte and Donal Lunny, "1798 the First Year of Liberty," Hummingbird Records HBCD0014 (1998)) - BS

Henry Joy McCracken was one of the most admirable of the United Irishmen. Sadly, he was no soldier, and his attempt to fight the British at Antrim a disaster; for details, see the notes to "Henry Joy McCracken (I)." - RBW

Historical references

  • July 17, 1798 - Henry Joy McCracken, a founder of the United Irishmen, is executed outside the Market House in Belfast (source: notes to Franke Harte and Donal Lunny, "1798 the First Year of Liberty," Hummingbird Records HBCD0014 (1998))

Cross references

References

  1. Moylan 110, "Henry Joy" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. BI, Moyl110

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1998 (Franke Harte and Donal Lunny, "1798 the First Year of Liberty," Hummingbird Records HBCD0014 (1998))