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about

From the singing of Geraldine Sullivan, on Folkways, Folk Songs of Ontario, 1958.

The murder took place in 1882 in Napanee, and although some of the details have been changed in the song, the names are accurate. One telling detail is that the Howies were Protestant and Lee was a Catholic. The Irish in Ontario carried these enmities with them.

The first person narrative is a convention for murder ballads and does not mean that the murderer actually composed the song.

lyrics

The Murder of Maggie Howie

I am an Irishman by birth, my name is Michael Lee
I fell in love with a pretty girl, which proved my destiny
I fell in love with a pretty girl, Maggie Howie was her name
It’s cruel that I have murdered her, I own it to my shame.

Maggie Howie was a farmer’s daughter, the truth to you I’ll tell
She resided in Napanee where she was known quite well
It’s true I loved her dearly, as you will understand
For she is wearing my own gold ring upon her lily white hand.

For a long time I courted her, I was filled with joy and pride
For a long time I courted her, I thought she’d be my bride
Night and day both passed away in my love’s company
Her parents interfering, she would not marry me.

It was early one Tuesday morning, my love along did stray
I overtook my darling and those words to her did say,
“My dearest dear, I must be severe and take away your life
Unless you promise to marry me and become my lawful wife.”

She wrang her hands in anger and wept most bitterly
Saying, “Michael, do have mercy and do not murder me.”
But I was deaf to all her cries, no mercy could I show
And in my hands I took the axe, and struck that fatal blow.

My love fell, dead, down at my feet, it was a mortal wound
And over her fair bosom the blood came pouring down
I ran away into the woods, my sorrow to prevail
But I was overtaken and sent to the county jail.

So it’s now I am a prisoner in the town of Napanee
It’s here I’ll stand my trial and the judge will sentence me
It’s true that I am guilty and I do deserve to die
For the murder of my own true love, all on the gallows high.

credits

from Safe & Sound: Traditional Canadian Folk Songs, released April 1, 2022
Maura Volante, vocals

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Maura Volante Ottawa, Ontario

Maura Volante is a singer of traditional folk songs, with a focus on those collected in Canada. She discovered folk music in the 1960s and has deepened her understanding over the decades. Maura has performed at festivals, coffee houses, concerts and living rooms all over Canada (and worldwide on Zoom), as well as passing on her knowledge and enthusiasm through workshops, courses and lessons. ... more

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