FOLLOW ME UP TO CARLOW (ballad history)

Eugene Dunphy dissects the lyrics of P. J. McCall’s classic ballad.
0:00 Intro
0:15 Collecting the melody
01:10 P. J. McCall
02:00 Ballad first published
03:25 Examining the verses
07:05 John McCormack sings ballad
07:33 Recordings
07:45 Death of McCall
08:50 Follow Me Up To Carlow (song)

[@donalfoley2412]

Thank you for thiis! Great to be filled in.

[@eugenedunphy167]

My pleasure Donal. 👍

[@andrewvydysh7090]

This is the great song.Freedom of Motherland is the first .Melody of ballad stay with me.Onece I had been in San Antonio,TX.Remember Alamo .Once my Motherland ld be free again.

[@sojnab1]

A mighty song.Great lyrics,a historical road map

[@Duffspur]

That is a brilliant context. Been singing that song for years and thought I knew the backdrop!

[@alandeacon1988]

Thanks for that. I've enjoyed the Planxty version for some time now and have recently been perplexed to find the verse appearing in the Sweets Of May. Some say that Follow Me Up To Carlow borrowed from Sweets Of May, but in my head it will always be the other way around..!

[@antadhg]

I first found out about this song from a metal cover by Cruachan. Quite different to the ballads but definitely a good listen.

[@dermotmulqueen3425]

Maith thú Eugene.