Eddie Butcher facts for kids

Eddie Butcher (born May 8, 1900 – died September 8, 1980) was a famous traditional Irish singer. He was also a songwriter and collected many old folk songs. Eddie came from Magilligan, County Londonderry, in Ireland. He was known for his strong and honest singing style.

In 1953, a doctor named Hugh Shields started writing down and recording Eddie's songs. These were later published in two books: Shamrock, Rose & Thistle (1981) and All the Days of his Life (2011). The second book even came with three CDs of his music. From 1966 onwards, Eddie often sang on radio shows in Dublin and Belfast. He also recorded four albums of his songs. Eddie inspired many other singers, like Joe Holmes, Len Graham, and Frank Harte. Younger musicians, such as Andy Irvine and Paul Brady, also added music to some of his songs.

Eddie's Early Life and Jobs

Eddie Butcher was born on May 8, 1900. His home was in Magilligan, County Londonderry, in the northwest part of Northern Ireland. He lived there his whole life. Eddie was the fifth of ten children born to John and Elizabeth Butcher. Most of his brothers and sisters were also singers. They learned many songs from their father, who worked as a day labourer for local farmers.

Eddie started working at age 12, picking potatoes. Later, he went to hiring fairs in Coleraine and Limavady to find work. By the time he was 20, he was a day labourer himself. In his late twenties, he took on many different jobs. He worked as a gardener, helped with building, cut peat (a type of fuel), made roads, and even worked in a quarry. He often cycled long distances to get to work each day. Before he retired, he spent 18 years working on a river drainage project for the government.

Eddie's Singing Career

Eddie and his wife, Gracie, both came from families known for singing. When there was a dance or party nearby, Eddie's father was often asked to sing. Both families had many well-known singers. When Eddie was a child, his house was a popular place for cèilidh gatherings. These were nights where neighbours would visit for fun, music, and conversation.

Eddie learned most of his songs from his father, and later from his brothers and Gracie's sisters. He was also good at writing his own songs. These songs often used traditional tunes and were about local events. Sometimes they were about his own experiences as a farm worker or road builder.

Starting in 1953, Hugh Shields often interviewed Eddie. Shields recorded about sixty of Eddie's songs. He wrote them down or used tape recorders. Some of these songs were put into the book Shamrock, Rose & Thistle in 1981.

In 1966, Eddie started singing on the radio in Dublin and Belfast. Some of his songs were released on records. His first record was an EP (a small record) called Adam in Paradise in 1969. Then came a larger record (LP) also called Shamrock, Rose & Thistle in 1976. These radio shows made him well-known. Other traditional singers like Joe Holmes and Len Graham became interested in his music. They often visited Eddie's home to sing and perform with him. Andy Irvine and Paul Brady also visited. Since the 1970s, they have performed some of Eddie's songs, often adding instruments to them.

In 1978, Eddie released his last album, Sings the Titanic and Other Traditional Folk Songs. After he passed away, two more cassette tapes of his songs were released in 1983. These tapes had eight songs that had not been released before.

Some of the songs Eddie sang were also collected by Sam Henry. Henry published nearly 700 songs in his newspaper column, Songs of the People, from 1923 to 1939. Many of these songs were later recorded by Eddie and other singers.

In 2011, the Irish Traditional Music Archive published a book called All the Days of His Life. This book shared Hugh Shields' detailed work and told Eddie's story in his own words. It came with three CDs that had 67 more of Eddie's songs that had never been released before.

Eddie's Passing

Eddie Butcher passed away on September 8, 1980. After his death, Hugh Shields wrote an article about him. Shields said that Eddie was a wonderful friend and a man with great kindness. He described Eddie as a very dependable person, as steady as the "Rock" near where he lived. Eddie loved his own culture and was happiest in familiar places.

Eddie's Music (Discography)

Solo Recordings

• Adam in Paradise (Ulster Folk UFM.1 EP, 1969) – This record included: "The Inniskilling Dragoon", "I Long For to Get Married", "Adam in Paradise", and "The Cocks Are Crowing".
• Shamrock Rose & Thistle (Leader LED 2070 LP, 1976) – This record had 14 songs.
• I Once Was a Daysman (Free Reed FRR 003 LP, 1976) – This record had 11 songs.
• Sings The Titanic and Other Traditional Folk Songs (Outlet OAS3007 LP, 1978) – This record had 14 songs.
• Shamrock Rose & Thistle 2 (FMSI cassette, 1983) – This tape included: "Alexander", "The Faughan Side", "The Mason's Word", and the last part of "The Banks of Kilrea".
• Shamrock Rose & Thistle 3 (FMSI cassette, 1983) – This tape included: a small part of "The Bonny Irish Boy", "Down By the Canal", "Pat Reilly", and "The Widows Daughter".
• Adam in Paradise (ITMA 101 CD, 2005) – This was a new release of the 1969 EP.
• All the Days of His Life : Eddie Butcher in His Own Words (ITMA 3x CDs set, 2011) – This set had 67 songs by Eddie that had not been released before. It came with a book that had the words and music for all the songs.

Songs on Other Albums (Compilations)

• Folk Ballads from Donegal and Derry (Leader LEA 4055 LP, 1972) – This album included Eddie's songs "The Bride Stolen By Fairies" and "The Widow's Daughter".
• Come Let Us Buy the Licence (The Voice of the People Vol. 1) (Topic TSCD651 CD, 1998) – This album included Eddie's song "David's Flowery Vale".
• Farewell, My Own Dear Native Land (The Voice of the People Vol. 4) (Topic TSCD654, CD 1998) – This album included Eddie's song "Killyclare".
• Come All My Lads That Follow the Plough (The Voice of the People Vol. 5) (Topic TSCD655 CD, 1998) – This album included Eddie's song "Tossing The Hay".
• Tonight I'll Make You My Bride (The Voice of the People Vol. 6) (Topic TSCD656 CD, 1998) – This album included Eddie's song "Another Man's Wedding".
• This Label is Not Removable (Free Reed FRTCD 25; 3x CDs set, 2002) – This album included Eddie's songs "Let them come to Ireland", "Down the moor", and "The Hiring Fair".
• Revival re: Masters (Free Reed FRRRS-128 ; 18x CDs box set, 2008) – This large set included one CD with Eddie's I Once Was A Daysman album (11 songs, plus a bonus song: "The Mountain Streams"). It also had songs by Joe Holmes and Len Graham.