The Croppy Boy
Track 6
Notes on the Track (6)
Recorded: 1953Notes on the Song
While Brigid Tunney always called this song Early Early, it is more usually known as The Croppy Boy and has been a favourite in many parts of Ireland for several generations. In fact, a second Croppy Boy – beginning ‘Good men and true in this house who dwell’ and written to an entirely different tune – is also widely known.
Brigid Tunney said she got this song from Michael Gallagher (no relation and known locally as ‘Big Mick’) of Bunnerhill, Co. Donegal, close to Belleek. Curiously, Annie Meehan, already knew and sang it but maybe some internal family rivalry stopped it being passed from aunt to niece. (JT)
The Singers
Brigid Tunney
Rec. 1953
The Song Texts
The Tunney Song Tradition Trust’s Archive of Song Texts preserves the words of traditional songs, offering a valuable resource for singers and anyone interested in the living song tradition.
Where the Linnets Sing 2026, developed by the Tunney Song Tradition Trust with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, celebrates 75 Bliain ag Fás by bringing the original collection to a new online audience, enriched with fifteen additional tracks, eleven more voices and two further generations of the tradition.
