Johnny Harte

DESCRIPTION: A rich farmer's daughter falls in love with Harte, a poor soldier. Her parents complain to his colonel, who threatens to send Harte away. He answers boldly. The colonel is impressed and offers him promotion. The parents consent to the marriage
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1925 (Sam Henry collection); c.1867 (broadside, Bodleian Firth c.14(207))
KEYWORDS: love soldier courting father mother
FOUND IN: Ireland Canada(Newf)
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Henry/Huntingdon/Herrmann-SamHenrysSongsOfThePeople H106, pp. 443-444, "Johnnie Hart" (1 text, 1 tune)
OLochlainn-IrishStreetBallads 88, "Johnny Harte" (1 text, 1 tune)
Morton/Maguire-ComeDayGoDayGodSendSunday 32, pp. 84-85,119,169, "Johnny Harte" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #2929
RECORDINGS:
James Halpin, "Johnny Harte" (on Voice15, IRHardySons)
Jack Kehoe, "The Old Colonel" (on MUNFLA/Leach)
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Firth c.14(207), "Johnny Hart," W. Birmingham (Dublin), c.1867; also Harding B 26(298), Harding B 19(94)[a few illegible words], "Johnny Hart"
NOTES [62 words]: At the time this song probably originated, it was still possible for soldiers to gain commissions in the British army by purchase (the practice was not abolished until 1871). An ambitious soldier might marry to gain the money to earn a commission, which would make him socially acceptable (more so, anyway). One wonders if that might not be related to what happened here. - RBW
Last updated in version 4.2
File: HHH106

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