We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

A Song for Jane McCrae

from It Had to be Done by The O'Maolegain Rake

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $0.99 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Jane McCrae was a legend in my home town. Her death was cited as being a major tipping point of the Revolution against British occupation. Common opinion was that she had been murdered by Iroquois. However, her death was also thought to have happened during a fire fight between Iroquois and Colonials.

lyrics

This is a song for the bonnie Jane McCrae
A tale about a young lass, that time has taken away
History tries to tell us, what her story cannot say
So listen as I sing this song for Jane.

Born in Jersey, to her father, Reverend James
She went north to New York, when her mother passed away
Up the hearty Hudson, near Saratoga she would stay
And to a redcoat, she gave her heart away.

In the autumn of the year, the trees were set alight
With colors of the season, yellow-gold and crimson bright
The days were warm and balmy, with cold and frosty nights
The fort upon the Hudson, would become a fateful site.

Her finance was a loyalist, to Quebec he'd taken flight
To be among the British, and press royal might
The army of Burgoyne, Ticonderoga well in sight
Her lover set sent for Jane to reunite.

Jane had reached Fort Edward, the war had come as well
An ambush in the thicket, the fort an empty shell.
Many lives were lost that day, a bloody tale to tell
When the Panther, had come escorting hell.

Jane was taken captive, as the woesome village fell
A musket rang out in the din, and sounded her death knell
No differences were put aside, or quarrels did it quell
So was the fate of this poor young bonnie belle.

So simple points the finger, at savages we blame
While doubt surrounds the corpses, past cemetery gates.
Revolution gained momentum, at outrage to your fate
Liberty was the cost that her life paid

No evidence to speak the truth, no scalp supports the claim
No tomb to hold the bonnie lass, few bones inside her grave.
A musket shot her bridal march, a dirge her wedding day
In memory, a song for Jane McCrae.

credits

from It Had to be Done, track released March 3, 2023
Rakish O'Maolegain - Acoustic guitars
Rover O'Maolegain - Banjo
Ramble O'Maolegain - Mandolin
Rebel O'Maolegain - Irish Bouzouki
Rollie O'Maolegain - Bodhran
Reeds O'Maolegain - Pipes
Riot O'Maolegain - Bass guitars
Ruín O'Maolegain - Electric guitar
Rage O'Maolegain - Drums
Reject O'Maolegain - Face noises

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

The O'Maolegain Rake image

The O'Maolegain Rake New York

O'Maolegain, a "celtified" surname derived from half-hisrorical, half fictitious origins and the term "Rake", used in a historical context, is a term short for "rakehell". A man who was habituated to immoral conduct, wasting his fortune on gambling, drink, women and song. Which defines this project to the letter. ... more

contact / help

Contact The O'Maolegain Rake

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like The O'Maolegain Rake, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Seafood Sam joins the show to discuss his newest album, " Standing On Giant Shoulders".
listen now