A New Love Song- (Dub) Corcoran broadside c.1774
[From: Folk Music Society of Ireland "Old Dublin Songs" ed. by Hugh Shield. 1988. The date was initially given as c. 1803 but Steve Gardham pointed out that since Corcoran was at Inn's Quay-- an earlier date of c.1774 was more accurate.
The printing and publishing business of Bartholomew Corcoran (d. 1792) was established in Dublin by 1743. Operated at "Inns quay, near the Cloister" between 1744 and 1774; Kings Inn Quay, 1776 and 1783, and 12 Arran Quay, 1784-1792. After his death in 1792, he was succeeded by his widow Mary and his son Bartholomew.
Stanza 5 is one of the earliest stanzas of the "Foolish Girl" or "Irish Boy." Though all the stanzas use the Died for Love theme, a damsel abandoned by her false lover, most are not common to Died for Love. Stanza 3 compares to a stanza in "The Maid's Tragedy" as well as to stanza 5 of Irish Boy by Elizabeth St. Clair of Edinburgh, c. 1770 (see also Rambling Boy). St. Clair also has the Foolish Girl stanza. Stanza 6 below compares to a stanza in "The Maid's Tragedy" as well.
R. Matteson 2017]
A New Love Song- broadside: Gil, No. 6, printed by Bart. Corcoran, Inn's Quay, Dublin c. 1774
1. I am a damsel that is left alone
In grief and sorrow to make my moan
Since Cupid's arrows my heart betray'd
By loving of a bonny maid.
2 Upon the banks of pinks and flowers,
Whilst flowing tears doth fall in showers,
Lamenting for my dearest honey,
That has prov'd false to his constant Molly.
3 You know, my love, I can card and spin,
You know, my love, I can wash and ring--
Keep him in clothes both neat and fine,
How can I go and leave him behind?
4. Your curly locks are so inviting,
Which makes the pretty maids delight on
Your ruby lips are as sweet as honey,
For she is always brisk and bonny.
5. What a foolish girl am I,
To fall in love with an Irish boy
For altho' he spoke good English to me
The thoughts of my love doth undo me.
6. As I walked up thro' Thomas Street,
My true love's letter[1] I chanc'd to meet,
Upon the back those lines were written
"Seldom seen are soon forgotten."
1. My true love with a letter I chanc'd to meet