“The Hills of Tandragee (I)”
Description
The singer says to those who see him leave Tandragee that he hopes the Orange flag will soon fly over its hills. He thinks about the birds and fields of Tandragee. He hopes for peace in Ulster and that "the time soon come around when I return"
Notes
This is the same song, with only place names and a few words changing the political viewpoint, as "The Hills of Glensuili." The tunes of McBride 36, "Glenswilly," and Morton-Ulster 41 are very similar.
Morton-Ulster: "Here's a fairly modern Orange song, and a great favorite among 'the brethren' because they can all join in on the last line of each verse. Dick Bamber, who gave it to me, is generally credited as the writer, but he tells me this is not correct. An old lady who lived beside him in Ballylisk near Tandragee, 'wrote it years ago.' It is a parody of a song she had on an old 78 r.p.m. record called 'The Hills of Glenswilly'. Just how long ago she wrote it he doesn't remember, but he says she gave it to him and he was the first to sing it in public. Now it's an Orange standard."
These songs are not to be confused with "Craiganee," sometimes called "The Hills of Tandragee"; there is no love interest here. - BS
Cross references
- cf. "The Hills of Glensuili" (form, lyrics, tune)
References
- Morton-Ulster 41, "The Hills of Tandragee" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #2884
- BI, MorU041