Designed & produced by Éric McLewis
© ericdentinger.com
2008-2022
Designed & produced by Eric Maclewis
© ericdentinger.com
2008-2024
THE AULD TRIANGLE
The credits for this song belong to Brendan Behan (a former member of IRA): it has been played for the first time for the opening of his play “The Quare Fellow” (1954).
This play is not particularly about Irish rebellions or political prisoners even if it takes place at Mountjoy prison in Dublin where the author himself has been incarcerated during the 20th century.
Before that (19th century), the prison was used as a transition on the way to the colonial prison of Van Diemen’s Land where many Irish prisoners were sent. (*)
Lots of Irish republicans have been also executed in Mountjoy prison.
(*) U2 released a song called "Van Diemen's Land" on the album “Rattle And Hum” (1988); the song is about John Boyle O’Reilly (Irish poet; 1844-1890), who has been sent to this prison for treason.
Save the lyrics
(The Dubliners version)
Actually, the song might have been penned by Dick Shannon - Brendan's fellow; however it has been recorded in “Brendan Behan Sings Irish Folk Songs And Ballads” (1960).
By the way, the first record belongs to his brother Dominic Behan who released it on his album “Irish Songs” (1958).
The Dubliners and The Pogues made it famous and it has been covered by many other artists or bands.
These versions display some variations in the lyrics (sometimes with the music too); for example the number of women imprisoned could be 70 or 75 according to the performers…
The metal triangle is quite real and can be seen at the center of the prison: it was used to punctuate the routine of the prisoners life, beginning with their wake-up.
Lastly, the prison is located near the Royal Canal in Dublin: no doubt that the triangle's sound was heard along its banks…
A hungry feeling came o’er me stealing
As the mice were squealing in my prison cell
And the auld triangle went jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
To begin the morning the screw was bawling
“Get up you bowsie and clean up your cell !”
And the auld triangle went jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
Now the screw was peeping as the lag lay sleeping
Dreaming about his girl Sal
And that auld triangle went jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
Up in the female prison there are seventy-five women
And among them I wish I did dwell
And that auld triangle could go jingle jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
- Dick Shannon & © Brendan Behan -
Save the lyrics
(Brendan Behan's version)
A hungry feeling came o’er me stealing
And the mice they were squealing in my prison cell
And that auld triangle it went jingle jangle
Along the banks of the Royal Canal
To begin the morning the screw was bawling
“Get out the bed and clean up your cell !”
And that auld triangle it went jingle jangle
Along the banks of the Royal Canal
Now the screw was peeping and humpy Gussy lay sleeping
As he lay there weeping for his girl Sal
And that auld triangle it went jingle jangle
Along the banks of the Royal Canal
But in the female prison there are seventy women
And I wish there was with them that I did dwell
And that auld triangle could go jingle jangle
Along the banks of the Royal Canal
- Dick Shannon & © Brendan Behan -
Sources :
1. The Quare Fellow https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quare_Fellow
2. Mountjoy Prison https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountjoy_Prison
3. Van Diemen’s Land https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Diemen%27s_Land
4. John Boyle O’Reilly https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boyle_O'Reilly
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Auld_Triangle
Also :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI7UDC3LQ0o (The Pogues)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominic_Behan