Elegies & laments

    Lamentable Lines, on the Death of

        JOSEPH M'MAHON

        who was Shot in Dorset-street,

            On the 28th March, '82.

You feeling Christians young and old attention give to me,
And sympathise with what I will relate,
About this sad shooting case which I will tell to thee,
By which a young man met an awful fate ;
In a public house in Dorset St., as everyone does know,
This sad affair occured it does appear,
Which has caused great excitement, sorrow, grief, and woe,
To his fond relations and his parents dear.

                                CHORUS.

His life was took away, we are sorry for to say,
But how it was we cannot ascertain,
So let us hope and pray to the Lord both night and day,
We may never hear the like of it again.

Between twelve and one o'clock on the 28th of March,
Joseph M'Mahon was walking out that day,
He didn't go to work as he didn't feel so well,
Then with Thomas Martin he did go away;
The two of then met Brennan and they all went in
To a public house, and there they had a treat,
And before five minutes that's so sorrowful to tell,
This young man M'Mahon he met his dreadful fate,

Those men they were arrested and charged with the crime,
But they said 'twas accidental and seemed grieved,
Thomas Martin said if it occured in any other way,
He did not know, and troubled he appeared.
His life was took away but how we cannot say,
But we hope that accidental it has been,
And that it will be a caution to all for evermore,
And that such a case again may not be seen.

Carrying these fire-arms is dangerous we know,
For many a person met a dreadful fate,
By handling them they know they left young and old lie low,
The fatal ball would quickly penetrate,
So be careful of those weapons don't harm anyone,
Be watchful night and day where'er you be,
Think on the 5th Commandment, that is, thou shalt not kill
Then from trouble and all dangers you'll be free.

God may comfort his poor parents, his brother and sister too
In grief they do lament both night and day,
For the loss of him they loved they've cause for to shed tears
When they think of him whose life was took away,
But as he met a sudden death we hope his soul is at rest,
And may he gain salvation we implore,
And a crown of glory with the angels that is blessed,
And enjoy his Great Redeemer evermore.