O'DONNELL ABÚ (ballad history)

[@seanohare5488]

Very interesting and well done by Eugene dunphy about the mm McCann song of 0 Donnell Abu based on irish chieftain hero red Hugh 0 Donnell i m an proud 0 Donnell on my father's side

[@shea3280]

Keep up the good work

[@Spook2431NYC]

Hello fr NYC, so greatful for all your postings👋👋👋💚💚💚

[@eugenedunphy167]

Thanks Margaret. More to follow! 🙂

[@ulexite-tv]

Thank you for this fine documentary and performance. I came here searching the origins of an obscure American protest song of 1961 about the so-called "Beatnik Riot" in Washington Square Park, in New York City - which was actually a police riot against folk-singers. The song, called "Washington Square," was written by Job Maarse to commemorate Izzy Young and a group of musicians who were arrested and ousted from the park for singing folk songs -- because both the melody and lyrics of Maarse's song followed closely that of "O'Donnell Abu." ("Loudly the sounds of the sparrows are sounding / squawks of the pigeons are filling the air / over the grass a policeman comes bounding / to silence the singing in Washington Square"). The only known recording of it is by Pete Seeger, and it is available on You Tube. The riot itself was the subject of a wonderful 17-minute documentary called "Sunday" by Dan Drasin, also on KZbin.

[@eugenedunphy167]

My pleasure indeed. That's a great story about the 'Beatnik Riot', and of Job Maarse's O'Donnell Abú-inspired song. In 19th century Ireland, hundreds of ballad singers were arrested all over the country for singing what the authorities liked to describe as 'songs of a seditious nature', in other words songs that were critical of the status quo. Will check out 'Washington Square'. Thank you.

[@odonnchada9994]

God Bless Éireann. ☘️🇮🇪🕊

[@htolas]

This was the tune to which my school rally (a La Salle institution) was sung. Thanks for providing the history of the song.

[@eugenedunphy167]

My pleasure and thank you. Tune sung at La Salle?! How interesting!

[@htolas]

@@eugenedunphy167 , kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmHEp6GuebuSi8k

[@liamomahony1779]

Excellent Thanks for sharing.

[@eugenedunphy167]

Failte romhat Liam.

[@paddyo3841]

My great grandfather Patrick OConnor came from Cavan☘️

[@dermotmulqueen3425]

The Valley of Knockanure might be another song you could feature?

[@Billy8010]

Great documentary. I thought "Abu" meant "to victory" rather than "forever", (go deo) but maybe I'm mistaken.

[@jacobparry177]

Are there any recordings of the Gaeilge version?

[@eugenedunphy167]

Thanks Jacob. I've frequently heard it sung in Irish at concerts, but I haven't as yet found any recordings as Gaelige. I'll let you know if I find one.

[@aidanoshea7795]

Radio Éireann used the melody for many years to mark the short interval between programmes

[@paulreardon8410]

Great stuff Did James J Johnson play a part somewhere along the line?

[@eugenedunphy167]

Yes indeed. J. J. Johnson (musician based in Dublin) arranged the music for Thomas Davis's The West's Asleep and McCann's O Donnell Abu. Johnson also wrote original music for Thomas Davis's A Nation Once Again.👍

[@paulreardon8410]

@@eugenedunphy167 Thanks Eugene. I bring people on tours of Drumcondra. Your confirmation enables me to weave Johnson, Heeney and O'Donnell/O'Neill together. As JFK visited All Hallows College in '55, I'll have to get Hail to the Chief in there too!

[@scruggy3337]

Ó Domhnaill Abú

[@daver8521]

"Abu" means "victory" nor "forever." Forever is "go brath." This song should be Ireland's national anthem. "A Soldier's Song" really sucks.

[@Mark-ej4uf]

So sad to see that a public executioner murderer as Lincoln is still represented on this excerpt of Irish history.