The Cow that ateThe Piper - (death of a Hessian) - Damian Nixon

'..when he heard how the Hessian was served' they all had a party in celebration. (Pipers being eaten by cows must have been a common occurence in Ireland if some of the other Youtube posts on this subject is anything to go by.haha)
The Hessians were german conscripts hired out by German Royalty to the British to quell the 1798 Rebellion in British Ireland. Mostly conscripts, convicts and impressed men,they were vicious bastards in their treatment of the local population. Responsible for the slaughter of Irish Parliamentary Reformers (or rebels; croppies; militians etc.) at Vinegar Hill and Foulksmill. They were hated more than the British. Two major regiments were those sent by Baron Hompesch, the 2nd Batt. and Jáger (Hunter) 5th Batt. 60th Reg. embarked from Isle of Wight on 16th April 1798 to Cork Harbour.
They also fought against the Americans from 1776-1781. A famous surprise attack by Washington, when he crossed the Delaware in 1777, captured 1,000 Hessians and killed 100. They also fought in the Battle of Yorktown in the southern 13 colonies.
In America the German/American population were swayed to join against the British because of Hessian behaviour.
Of 30,000 Hessians sent to America, 17,000 returned home to Russia and Germany. 7,000 were killed or mostly died of illness whilst 5,000 (many of whom had been dumped by their commander who didn't want them to return with them because they were criminals or ne'er-do-wells) stayed in America and settled....sometimes with a welcome from the new America. How many descendants there are is contentious.
So no tears were shed when local militians got one of them. They lost more than their fine Hessian boots.
(Apologies for tongue-tying the name of the cow at the end....I was startin to lose the flow. It should be 'droimeann dubh's stomach' pron. 'drimmin do')

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John Martyn
• Reading 1978
• One World
• ''Irish''
• ''Donegal''
• ''Singer''
• ''Acoustic''
• ''Traditional''
• ''Guitar''
• ''Ballad''
• Gaeilge Language
• ''Celtic''
• ''Folk''
• ''American''
• ''Scottish''
• ''Joni''
• Paul Brady
• ''1798''

[navim49]

There's something so beautiful about a single chord drone below a voice that tells tales from a rich musical past. You sir sing a story better than anyone. I for one will follow as one would the piper of auld. You can evoke a time long gone with a sense of real love and reverence that few can touch. Thanks for the history lesson too!!!!

[DamianNixon]

@navim49 Cheers Ivan my friend!

[MrJohnered]

Damien have you done raggle tangle gypsy o

[DamianNixon]

@MrJohnered Not yet....but good one. I'll add it to the list and try it in the second half. ;-)

[buniluvr]

Love it! You warm my heart. All stars ******

cheers

julie

[carrolly2k]

Great job Damian!

[zombienixon1]

brilliant D, no call yet, tomorrow maybe X