McCafferty

For the American professional football coach, see Don McCafferty.

"McCafferty" is a traditional song which originated as a street-ballad about Patrick McCaffrey, executed in 1862 for the killing of two of his officers.^[1] It is particularly popular in Ireland, where McCaffrey came from, and was recorded by The Dubliners. In the British army it was believed that to sing the song was a chargeable offence.^[2]

The song

The song is sung with some variants on names, places and regiment.^[3] One version of the lyrics is (to the melody of the "Croppy Boy"):^[4]

When I was scarcely eighteen years of age,
To join the army I did engage;
I left the fact'ry with good intent,
To join the 42nd Regiment.

To Fullwood Barracks I then did go
To serve a short period in that depot;
But out of trouble I could not be,
For Captain Hansen took a dislike to me.

While standing sentry out one day,
Some soldiers' children came out to play;
I took one's name, but not all three -
And with neglect of all duty he did charge me.

In the barracks court-room I did appear,
But Captain Hansen my sad story would not hear;
The sentence it was quickly signed,
And to Fullwood Barracks I was then confined.

For fourteen weeks and fifteen days
The sentence rose and turned my brain;
To shoot my captain dead on sight
Was all that I resolved to do each night.

I saw him standing in the barracks square,
A-walking arm in arm with Colonel Blair;
I raised my rifle, and fired to kill:
I shot my poor colonel against my will.

I did the deed, I shed the blood,
And at Liverpool Assizes my trial I stood.
The judge he says, "McCafferty,
Prepare yourself for the gallows tree."

I had no father to take my part,
I had no loving mother for to break her heart;
I had one friend, and a girl was she -
She'd lay down her life for McCafferty.

Now all young soldiers take a warning by me:
Don't have nothing to do with the British Army.
For only lies and tyranny
Have made a murderer out of McCafferty!

In Liverpool City this poor boy died.
In Strangways Manchester his body lies.
Now all good people who do pass by,
Go shed a tear for McCafferty!

Story

Patrick McCaffery was born in County Kildare, Ireland in October 1842. Mrs. McCaffery sent him to England to stay with a friend, Mrs. Murphy of Mossley near Manchester, where, at the age of 12, he started work in the mill. On 10 October 1860, aged 19, he took the Queen's shilling and enlisted in the 32nd (Cornwall) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry). After enlistment he was sent to Fulwood to train with 11 Depot Battalion and then posted to 12 Coy, the 32nd Regiment.

While at the depot, on sentry duty, McCaffery had a disagreement with his captain, Captain Hanham, who sentenced him to fourteen days confinement to barracks. Later that day Capt. Hanham and the commanding officer of the Fulwood depot, Col. Hugh Crofton, were walking across the barracks square when McCaffery loaded his musket and fired at them, at a distance of 65 yards (59.4 m), causing both to stagger and fall. A bullet passed right through Col. Crofton’s lungs then through the chest of his companion and one of his lungs and lodged in his back. After firing the shot McCaffery quietly handed his weapon to a comrade and was led, unresisting, away. Col. Crofton died instantly and Capt. Hanham a few days later.^[5]

McCaffrey's trial was set for the Liverpool Assizes, where he appeared in December. The result was a foregone conclusion. The sentence was carried out on Saturday, 11 January 1862, in front of Kirkdale Gaol, at Liverpool. The sympathies of the crowd were with McCaffery, while Captain Hanham's final departure was ignominious - the crowd turned their backs on his coffin. The street ballad that was written sometime afterwards found the popular ear amongst the large Catholic Irish population of the North West of England.^[6]

Recordings

• A partial discography:

The Dubliners

Martin Winsor - "Troubadour"

Roy Palmer

Dave Burland

Bibliography

• AL Lloyd: Folksongs Of England (1967).

References

1. ^ Preston Mercury, 16 September 1861
2. ^ http://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/m/mccaffer.html
3. ^ Dan Milner: A Bonnie Bunch of Roses.
4. ^ Ewan MacColl "Bless 'em All" LP (1958).
5. ^ http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/articles/ArticlesDetail.asp?ID=573 Dorset Life
6. ^ Roy Palmer, The Rambling Soldier, Penguin Books, 1977, pp 119-126.