Valentine O'Hara

Tom Madden,a native of Tullamore,spent most of his life singing and playing guitar and 5-string banjo in the folk clubs of England and America.Tom,a fine singer and musician,was the envy of all the nine-to-five "would be" folkers around the Tullamore area. His trips home were awaited with great anticipation-he always came up with a few gems.He was our main source of new songs.

In October of 1975 tom came on a visit. There was a session of music in Joe Lee's Lounge and as usual Tom delivered the goods.He sang "Alan Tyne o' Harrow". It was a smasher and before the week was out Iwas singing it with great enthusiasm.
At that time James and Liz McCardle,used to spend time in various libraries seeking out tunes and songs. James came across three or four songs about Valentine O'Hara and sent me a copy of this Irish version which he figured was probably the original.I've sung the song as Valentine O'Hara ever since.
Steve Turner sang Valentine on his excellent L.P. "Out Stack"and in the liner notes he says the song was known as Alan Tyne of Yarrow or Harrow but he said the Joyce collection had two song about the bold Val.

Tom Madden still sings the original version and has lately recorded it on a new C.D. called "Ship to Shore".
After the death of Frank Harte there was a T.V. snip of him sitting under a canal bridge singing "Valentine"


Valentine O'Hara


I am a gallant highwayman called Valentine O'Hara
I come of poor but honest folk nigh to the Hill of Tara
For getting a maid with child for England I sailed over
I left my parents and became a wild and daring rover

Straight to London I did sail where I became a soldier
Resolved to fight Brittania's foes,not Hector great was bolder
They sent me to a foreign land where cannons loud did rattle
And believe me boys I do not boast how I behaved in battle


Many's the battle I've been in ,in Holland and French Flanders
I always fought with a courage keen ,led on by brave commanders
Then a cruel ensign caught me out and I was flogged and carted
Cruel the usage they gave me and so I soon deserted


Straight for England I did sail as fast as winds could heave me
Resolved that of my liberty there could no man deprive me
I slept in the fields at night ,by all my friends forsaken
I couldn't walk the roads by day in case I might be taken


But I being of a courage keen and likewise able-bodied
I robbed Lord Lowens on the King's highway with my pistols heavy loaded
I slapped my pistols to his breast which made his heart a-quiver
Five hundred pounds in ready gold he did to me deliver


With part of my new store of gold I bought a famous gelding
That could leap over a five bar gate ,I bought him from Ned Fielding
Lord Arkinstone,in his coach ,I robbed near Covent Gardens
And two hours later ,that same night,I robbed the Earl of Warren


One night at Tarnum Green,I robbed the revenue collector
And what I got from him I gave to a widow to protect her
I always robbed the rich and great, to rob the poor I scorned
But now in iron chains I'm bound,in doom I now lie bourned


For it's now to Newgate I'm confined and by the law convicted
To hang on Tyburn Tree's my fate at which I'm much afrighted
Farewell my friends and countrymen and my native Hill of Tara
Kind providence may test the soul of Valentine O'Hara.