***Spancil Hill - Trad.
from the Late Late Show 1994
Spancil Hill as performed by Shane MacGowan & Christy Moore
Bm A Bm
Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by
Bm D A
My mind being bent on rambling to Ireland I did fly
Bm D A
I stepped on board a vision and I followed with the wind
Bm A Bm
And I shortly came to anchor at the cross of Spancil Hill
It being the 23rd June the day before the fair
When lreland's sons and daughters all assembled there
The young and the old, the brave and the bold their journey to fulfill
But the little church in Cloony a mile from Spancil Hill
I went to see my neighbors to see what they would say
The old ones were all dead and gone and the young one's turning grey
I met with tailor Quigley, he's as bould as ever still
Sure he used to make my britches when I lived in Spancil Hill
I paid the fly and visit to my first and only love
She's as fair as any lily and as gentle as a dove
She threw her arms around me saying "Johnny I love you still
" Oh she's Ned the rangers daughter and the flower of Spancil HiII
I dreamt I hold and kissed her as in the days of yore
She said, "Johnny you're only joking as many's the time before"
The cock crew in the morning he crew both loud and shrill
And I awoke in California, many miles from Spancil Hill.
***Version 2*** by Lefthandluke
Chords I use are very simple:
DM C
DM F C
DM F C
DM C
This is the original version of "Spancilhill".
All the characters and places in this song are real. It is a song written by a 23
year old man in the full knownedge that he was mortally ill. He knew he would die
far from home and far from his loved one whom he would never see again.
Many thanks to Robbie McMahon, Spancilhill, Co. Clare for keeping the song and it's
stories alive and for sharing them with us.
Spancilhill
Last night as I lay dreaming, of the pleasant days gone by,
My mind being bent on rambling and to Erin's Isle I did fly.
I stepped on board a vision and sailed out with a will,
'Till I gladly came to anchor at the Cross of Spancilhill.
Enchanted by the novelty, delighted with the scenes,
Where in my early childhood, I often times have been.
I thought I heard a murmur, I think I hear it still,
'Tis that little stream of water at the Cross of Spancilhill.
And to amuse my fancy, I lay upon the ground,
Where all my school companions, in crowds assembled 'round.
Some have grown to manhood, while more their graves did fill,
Oh I thought we were all young again, at the Cross of Spancilhill.
It being on a Sabbath morning, I thought I heard a bell,
O'er hills and vallies sounded, in notes that seemed to tell,
That Father Dan was coming, his duty to fulfill,
At the parish church of Clooney, just one mile from Spancilhill.
And when our duty did commence, we all knelt down in prayer,
In hopes for to be ready, to climb the Golden Stair.
And when back home returning, we danced with right good will,
To Martin Moilens music, at the Cross of Spancilhill.
It being on the twenty third of June, the day before the fair,
Sure Erin's sons and daughters, they all assembled there.
The young, the old, the stout and the bold, they came to sport and kill,
What a curious combination, at the Fair of Spancilhill.
I went into my old home, as every stone can tell,
The old boreen was just the same, and the apple tree over the well,
I miss my sister Ellen, my brothers Pat and Bill,
Sure I only met my strange faces at my home in Spancilhill.
I called to see my neighbors, to hear what they might say,
The old were getting feeble, and the young ones turning grey.
I met with tailor Quigley, he's as brave as ever still,
Sure he always made my breeches when I lived in Spancilhill.
I paid a flying visit, to my first and only love,
She's as pure as any lilly, and as gentle as a dove.
She threw her arms around me, saying Mike I love you still,
She is Mack the Rangers daughter, the Pride of Spancilhill.
I thought I stooped to kiss her, as I did in days of yore,
Says she Mike you're only joking, as you often were before,
The cock crew on the roost again, he crew both loud and shrill,
And I awoke in California, far far from Spancilhill.
But when my vision faded, the tears came in my eyes,
In hope to see that dear old spot, some day before I die.
May the Joyous King of Angels, His Choicest Blessings spill,
On that Glorious spot of Nature, the Cross of Spancilhill.
Michael Considine... born circa 1859 and died circa 1873
