|
|
|
|
|
Music by Frank Lennon |
Poems by. Michael Considine. c1850-1873 Spancilhill |
The Story. Spancil hill is a real place it lies on the road between Ennis and Tulla County Clare, the name comes from the term "spancilling" which was tieing one of an animals front legs to one of its back with a short rope to stop it straying too far, among shepherds in the north the term for this was "langelling" Apparently there was a horse fair held late in June on Spancil Hill. The author of Spancil hill was Michael Considine, he was born around 1850 and emigrated to USA some twenty years later, his intention being to earn enough money to bring his sweetheart, Mary MacNamara to America. Michael worked for two years in Boston, before moving to California, unfortunately his health was deteriorating when he realized he hadn't long to live he wrote the poem, in remembrance of his love, he sent it to his nephew John in Ireland. Michael died in 1873 when probably only twenty three years old, it is said Mary never married. |
Spancilhill Last night as I lay dreaming, of the pleasant
days gone by, Enchanted by the novelty, delighted with the
scenes, And to amuse my fancy, I lay upon the ground, It being on a Sabbath morning, I thought I heard
a bell, And when our duty did commence, we all knelt
down in prayer, It being on the twenty third of June, the day
before the fair, I went into my old home, as every stone can tell, I called to see my neighbors, to hear what they
might say, I paid a flying visit, to my first and only love, I thought I stooped to kiss her, as I did in
days of yore, But when my vision faded, the tears came in my
eyes, Background Music
|