The Sean Bhean Bhocht ( The Poor Old Woman) was, of course Ireland Herself in this song from the uprising of the 1790's. Irish patriot Theobald Wolfe Tone, having defected to revolutionary France, persuaded the French government to mount a naval invasion of the west of Ireland in support of an armed rebellion by the United Irishmen under Lord Edward Fitzgerald. So by the summer of 1796 the French were really on the sea, and even made it to Bantry Bay, but they weren't there without delay. In fact, they never landed at all, leaving the hapless rebels to be wiped out by the British.
Frank Quinn, vocal, fiddle; Ed Geoghegan, piano.
New York NY 7/15/26 Victor 79007
Donations help pay for server costs and technical assistance. For Venmo use @slippery-hill .
Thanks to the Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music, your donations are tax deductible. Send a personal check to Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music, PO Box 3672, Greenville DE 19807; You can make your donation online and pay via credit card by clicking on, or simply scanning the QR code below with your phone or tablet device. Please specify that the contribution is for Slippery Hill.
