Tom Munnelly sang this in a session during the Willie Week of 1982. I love how, in the hands of this anonymous composer, a cheap literary trick--and then I woke up--is used so skillfully that the ending takes almost everyone by surprise.
To "take the shilling" was to enlist in the British army, the shilling being an advance or signing bonus for enlisting (earnest money). A shilling was worth at least two day's wages during the mid nineteenth century in Ireland, so, while it was not a substantial amount of money, it would certainly be attractive to a day laborer.
During India's First War of Independence, often called (by the victorious English) the Sepoy Mutiny, in 1857, battles were fought in the upper reaches of the Setlej River, which is mentioned in the song, indicating that the song was probably composed after 1858 and is most likely about that war. Granting the shilling as a bonus for enlistment ceased in 1879 but the phrase is still used occasionally today to mean working for the government.
The mention of King George throws some confusion into the discussion about the date, for George IV died in 1830 and George V did not accede to the throne until 1910. Victoria was monarch at the time of the First War of Indian Independence. My guess is that for even the most stout anti-English song composer, telling the queen to "shove it" was a little over the top--especially if he wanted his song to be sung in public. Hence the switch of monarchs.
One curious part of the Irish singing tradition is the occasional spoken ending to a song. I use it here because Tom used it to end this song. I have read two reasons for ending a song in this abrupt manner. One is that it snaps the audience out of the imaginary world spun by the singer and jolts them back into reality--a stark demarcation at the end of the song. It is also a way for the singer to step out of the limelight and deflect credit for the performance to the song itself. It's not the singer who is important; it is the song. Just the opposite of the typical European performer's ending, drawn-out, loud, and grandiose. While both of those reasons ring true, I suspect the real reason is "because that's the way I heard it." At least that's why I do it.
I am unable to find any recordings of this song other than Tom singing it in an online music file in the Inishowen Song Project of the Irish Traditional Music Archive.
lyrics
7. The Mullingar Recruit
Traditional
It was on one sultry summer's day, while tired of working at the hay,
I lay and watched the regiment marching by to foreign wars.
And I don't know how it came about, I must have slept, without a doubt,
I dreamt I took the shilling that day in Mullingar.
Oh, Sergeant, a-gramachree, won't you swap back again with me,
For my old coat and overcoat were warmer by far.
And besides my heart would surely break for the friends and neighbors I forsake,
And wearing that Highland petticoat, going in to Mullingar.
But the sergeant he spoke sharp at me, "You might as well contented be,
You went and took the shilling down in Marion Eagan's bar.
And as for those you leave behind, you might as well make up your mind--
You went and put your foot in it, this day in Mullingar."
It was then I wept with grief and pain, but all my protests were in vain;
We marched to Monasterevin with the general in the car.
And when we came to Wexford Town, straight to the transport we went down,
And sailed away to India, farewell to Mullingar.
Though the heat was heavy overhead, we fought till nearly all were dead,
From Setlej Lake to Khyber and from there to Kandahar.
And those Indians were a savage lot, they gave it to us hard and hot,
And I lost both legs to cannon-shot, I sighed for Mullingar.
As on the bloody ground I lay, in deep despair, I could not pray,
I cursed the day I 'listed and my joy in life did mar.
When someone near me gave a shout, I woke right up and looked about.
Thank God, I was only dreaming, I was back in Mullingar.
I looked around me with delight, I felt my two fine legs, all right.
I kissed the sod I lay upon and I thanked my lucky stars.
And I swore no soldiering I'd try, unless for Ireland's cause to die,
King George may stuff his shilling up, I'm content in Mullingar!
David entertains in the old-fashioned way, with warmth and wit, as if he were sitting with the audience around the turf fire
in an Irish cottage long ago. David has been singing old-style Irish songs for 40 years and is deeply invested in collecting, researching, and performing them authentically and entertainingly....more
