Tipperary Recruiting Song, The

DESCRIPTION: "'Tis now we'd want to be wary, boys, The recruiters are out in Tipperary, boys...." The Irish youths are advised to avoid the British sergeants and the free drinks they offer. They are reminded of all the harm John Bull has done in the past
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1901 (Hylands-Mammoth-Hibernian-Songster)
KEYWORDS: Ireland recruiting drink soldier
FOUND IN: Ireland
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Galvin-IrishSongsOfResistance, p. 88, "Tipperary Recruiting Song" (1 text, 1 tune)
Hylands-Mammoth-Hibernian-Songster, p. 109, "Tipperary Recruiting Song" (1 text)
ADDITIONAL: Kathleen Hoagland, editor, One Thousand Years of Irish Poetry (New York, 1947), pp. 299-300, "Tipperary Recruiting Song" (1 text)
NOTES [58 words]: It is not immediately evident what time period this song refers to. The British desperation for soldiers might seem to imply World War I -- but in 1916 Britain instituted the draft (in England; it took a little longer in Ireland); the recruiting sergeant was a thing of the past. So an earlier period is indicated. Besides, the song is older. - RBW
Last updated in version 6.1
File: PGa088

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