This is and old favourite of mine. I used to love singing this when I was younger. This version is by the legendary Frank McCaffrey. This version is off his 'Pride of Mayo: Frank McCaffrey Live in Concert' album.
It's supposedly about Traolach Mac Suibhne the Lord Mayor of Cork who on the 12th August 1920 was arrested, for possession of seditious articles and documents, and also possession of a cipher key. On the 16th August, her was sentenced to two years in prison and was transported to Brixton Prison. In prison, he immediately started a hunger strike. On October 20, 1920, he fell into a coma and died five days later after 74 days on hunger strike, making his the longest hunger strike in Irish history.
You might also recognise this tune as that of 'Kevin Barry', who was hanged in Mountjoy Goal on 1st Nov 1920.
It is also the tune to an old American Civil War era song called 'The Legend Of The Rebel Soldier'.
GC88
