songwriter
acoustic
folk
celtic
traditional
irish
tampa
tampabay
Story behind the song
The story for this song came from a conversation with a fellow from Newfoundland who claimed to be directly descended from the young Beresford. The only thing I know for sure is that John C. Beresford did torture suspected rebels during the 1798 rebellion. The rest is makey-up. Drumcondra house is today the sight of "All Hollows," a training college for missionary priests.
Lyrics
CHORUS
Beresford oh Beresford
you're far from the land
Keep your eye on the future
to the shores of Newfoundland
Left behind your family
your title and the rest
To spend your whole life
with the one you love the best
A family of foreign blood
not bidden by command
They came onto the soil
by plantation through the land
North of Dublin city
their home was made to rest
And with the riches of the conquered land
their lives were surely blessed
Now Beresford an Alderman
of cruel and savage ways
Drumcondra house he lived his life
it stands unto this day
In the fateful year of '98
rebellion swept the land
It was in his bloody dungeons
many suffered by his hand
CHORUS
Now Beresford he had a son
the mirror of his wife
With the bright eyes of his mother
who died to give him life
Now a man of twenty-one
and heir onto his home
his life was mapped out for him
by his father years before
The young man could ne'er describe
this thing that touched his soul
Like the freshness of a new day
through his body she did flow
A servant girl had won his heart
it ne'er could be the same
And her lovely face he'd seen each morn
till his dying day
CHORUS
What treachery is this I hear
you bring into my home
servant girl and a catholic
you will never make your own
You'll marry in your own kind
you're promised, t'will be done
And the sons you'll have will do the same
and keep this family strong
A ship is ready to set sail
She waits upon the pier
Anxious and uncertain
till young Beresford is there
No longer can I stay here
nor be my father's son
Our fate is sealed together love
Oh let what will be done
CHORUS