Tim O'Brien - John Riley (with Lyrics).wmv

Another fantastic song from Tim O'Brien's "The Crossing" album released in 1999. The fiddle alone is enough to get this into the Library of Congress. I get chills listening to the workmanship thoughout. The song and playing is magnificent! Tim O'Brien's work is a once in a lifetime treat. Enjoy!

This is a song of rebellion. John Riley and his fellow Irish emigrants go over to the other side in the Mexican war to form the San Patricio brigade and fight against the US Army. "Some get drunk on demon rum, some get drunk on glory."

For years the American government covered up the details of the St. Patrick's Battalion, but eventually it was discovered to be true and an investigation was started into the details. Most of what the song says is very accurate, and the true story is actually worse than what the song portrays. The Irish Rebels were hung instead of put before a firing squad, which was & is against US policy. They were in Mexican uniforms and only spies in civilian clothes were to be hung. They had been branded, they were not allowed to practice their Catholic religion, and did not receive the pay and benefits they had been promised ... and their non-Irish American soldiers DID receive. This story (and the bad treatment they received to make them desert) has just been brought out in very recent years due to Congressional requests made on behalf of family members who continued to want the truth to come out.


High powered guests on the album include:
Paul Brady
Maura O'Connell
Kathy Mattea
Del McCoury
Altan
Jerry Douglas
Earl Scruggs
Frankie Gavin
Seamus Egan


LYRICS as sung by Tim O'Brien:

John Riley came form Galway town in the years of the Irish hunger,
And he sailed away to America when the country was much younger.
The place was strange and work was scarce and all he knew was farming,
So he followed his other Irish friends to a job in the US Army.

Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story.
Some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory.

They marched down Texas way to the banks of the Rio Grande.
They built a fort on the banks above to taunt old Santa Anna.
They were treated bad, paid worse, and then the fighting started.
The more they fought the less they thought of the damned old US Army.

Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story.
Some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory.

When the church bells rang on Sunday morn it set his soul a shiver.
He saw the senoritas washing their hair on the far side of the river.
John Riley and two hundred more Irish mercenaries
Cast their lot, right or not, south of the Rio Grande.

Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story.
Some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory.

Now they fought bravely under the flag of the San Patricios,
Till the Yankees soldiers beat them down at the battle of Churubusco.
Then fifteen men were whipped like mules
And on the cheeks were hot iron branded.
Made to dig the graves of fifty more, who a hanging fate had handed.

Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story.
Some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory.

Now, John Riley stands and drinks alone at a bar in Vera Cruz.
He wonders if it matters much if you win or if you lose.
"I'm a man who can't go home, a vagabond", says he.
"A victim of some wanderlust and divided loyalty."

Adventure calls and some men run, and this is their sad story,
And some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory.

Adventure calls and some men run and this is their sad story,
How some get drunk on demon rum and some get drunk on glory.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Tim O'Brien
• fiddle
• John Riley
• Rebel Song
• Mountain music
• revolution song
• Irish immigrant song
• Mexican Revolution
• Irish song
• folk song
• Americana song
• The Crossing
• Mexico
• Santa Anna
• demon rum
• drunk on glory
• acoustic
• Kathy
• Mattea
• Jerry
• Douglas
• Altan
• Seamus
• Eagan
• Earl
• Scruggs

[Diz2013]

No worries Barbara i forgot to add that his solo performance of John Riley was so amazing it reduced me to tears,not an easy thing to admit lol!!

cheers

[Diz2013]

@Diz2013 i forgot to mention that its also because of the Irish in me

[MyMoppet52]

@Diz2013 I get that way with good music. Perhaps I have a bit of Irish in me, but I'm not aware of it. I wish though...:)

[MyMoppet52]

@Diz2013 I love it. This comment & the next are perfect! Anyone that knows me teases me about my "p.s.'s" and "add ons". I've found someone who is a kindred spirit! Thank you for adding ALL your comments. :)

[jfcg2002]

A powerful song about true heroes, who for the main have been forgotten by history.. Keep the fire lit Mo Chara.. slan

[MyMoppet52]

@jfcg2002 I'm glad that their families kept up the pressure for all these years. Their story needs to be told! Thank you so much for your comment. I have NO idea how I missed it. I appreciate each comment I receive & am sorry to have overlooked yours. Thanks for listening and taking the time to leave a message! My very best to you, Moppet

[MyMoppet52]

@Diz2013 I have no idea how I missed your comment! I appreciate each and every comment I get...I don't get lots...but your comment is so fantastic!!! Your story is great! Tim seems like he's a nice guy, and this just backs this up in a 'for real' instance. Thank you for listening and for adding your comment. (That would be an incredible experience to have to remember.) My very best to you, Barbara

[Diz2013]

I met Tim o Brien at the bar in Matt Malloys pub in Westport Ireland. I asked him if he would do a request and i asked for John Riley. He went up on stage without the rest of the band and played it on his mandolin, to my mind one of his best performances, thanks Tim

Mike Peckett

[MyMoppet52]

@RaymondStanley I am so glad you found this. I didn't know about the statues in the churches. Since your comment, I have done more research and it is truly a sad tale. They fought so bravely! I am glad you like the song, and hope you come by for another "listen" anytime you wish. Thanks also for your info. It taught me more history and I like that! My best, Moppet (Barbara)

[RaymondStanley]

This is a wonderful song. I live in Mexico and was learning about the St Patrick's Battalion (Batallón de San Patricio) during the Mexican American War. Did you know that every Catholic Church in Mexico has a statue of St. Patrick?