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You are here: Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Folk Music > Folk Music > Irish song
Expert: Mike Turner
Date: 4/18/2008
Subject: Irish song
Question
Hi Mike, 60 years ago my mom use to sing a song to me about a drunken Irishman who owed a lot of money and decided to pretend he was dead, he kept raising up in his coffin saying you'll have to keep me drunk to keep me dead.They had a wake for him and kept feeding him whiskey so he'd stay in the coffin. Thats all I remember. I think his name was Pat Malone but not sure. I sure would like to hear it again if you can help. Thanks for your time in advance. Helen
Answer
Hi Helen,
I have not heard this song myself, but I do recall hearing the late Ewan MacColl, as an introduction to an unrelated song, recounting a very similar story to what your song says, describing it as happening to an acquaintance in Manchester. The way he told it, it sounded like a true life story, but now I wonder whether he was simply reconstructing your song as an urban legend?
As always, the limitations of "AllExperts" as a textual medium, prevent me from hearing the tune - even if you had the means to convey it to me. I don't suppose you can say whether the tune is one that might have been used in other songs?
Cheers,
Mike
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