THE CRIMEA

THE CRIMEA

As I roved through the Irish town
One evening last July,
The mother of a soldier
In tears I did espy,
Saying, God be with you Johnny
For you are far away,
And for you my heart is breaking
Since you went to the Crimea.

He joined the 14th Regiment
They were a splendid Corps
They landed safe, he mentioned,
Upon the Russian shore.
They fought in four engagements
At the loss of men each day.
And my darling mentioned all to me
Although being far away.

We fought at Balaclava
But alas did not succeed
And in the valley of Inkerman
Where thousands they did bleed,
We fought at Kirch-in-Alma
Where we did gain the day,
And my darling mentioned all to me
Although being far away.

And when we attacked Sebastapol
The world did surprise
For hard it was to take it
The enemy were so wise,
But Paddy's sons with British guns,
Their valour did display
And together with the men of France
Thank God we gained the day.

Oh then Johnny I gave you schooling
And gave you a trade likewise
You need not join the army
If you took my advice
You need not go to face the foe
Where cannons loud do roar
And thousands falling victims
Upon the Russian shore.

(?)[Illegible handwritten notation is here]

Handwritten note: If there is no sweetheart to complain, then there is a mother. This song comes from Irishtown, County Wexford - just outside of Enniscorthy. I got the air (and another to the same tune) from Tom Connors, atraveller from Kilmore Quay.

[Typewritten comment by by Niall MacDonagh:"I wrote these
notes 30+ years ago... and damned if I remember the air or
the other song for that matter.Tom Connors I remember though
he appeared on charges infront of my Dad (who was also
district justice for Wexford)often enough.]