Spancil Hill is the true story of an Irish immigrant in California, who dreams of returning to his homeland to be reunited with his “first and only love”.
It was written by Michal Considine, who was born around 1850 near Spancil Hill, between Ennis and Tulla in Co Clare.
Like millions of others, Considine was forced to leave his homeland because of the famine which devastated Ireland in the mid-19th century.
He went to Boston in 1870 but only stayed for a few years before moving to California.
It’s thought his plan was to earn enough money to be able to bring his true love over to America to join him.
Her name was Mary MacNamara. Considine refers to her in the song as “Mac the ranger’s daughter and the pride of Spancil Hill”.
When Considine was about 23, however, he fell ill and realised he hadn’t long to live.
He wrote Spancil Hill so it could be sent home to express his feelings to all who knew him, especially, of course, his beloved Mac.
The characters of Spancil Hill and the events mentioned are real. There really was a tailor called Quigley, who had made Considine’s britches when he lived at Spancil Hill.
Spancil Hill was the scene of a horse fair every year and in his dream, Considine arrives the day before it’s about to take place.
Once there he sees the familiar faces and sights of his youth.
Considine’s song was very long and many of the verses are a little too sentimental for many people, which is why most singers only use the four or five verses that really do capture the longing and heartache of being separated those you love.
The most emotional reunion is with Mac, his “first and only love.”
The joy is short lived, however, as very soon the cock crows and he awakes from his reverie. Once awake, he is no longer in Spancil Hill but back in the real world, in California.
Considine died shortly after writing the song and sadly was never reunited with his beloved Mary MacNamara.
She remained true to his memory and never married.
The experiences of being separated from family and lovers was shared by millions of Irish emigrants, which is why the song still strikes a chord for so many even to this day.