music.wikisort.org - Composition

The Boston Burglar (Roud 261) was a number one hit in the Irish Charts for Johnny McEvoy in 1967.[1] It is a transportation ballad commonly assumed to have been adapted in America from the sea shanty The Whitby Lad / Botany Bay.[2] before the 20th century. The filk song Banned from Argo's tune was based on this song.

"The Boston Burglar"
Single by Johnny McEvoy
B-side	"I Still Miss Someone"
Released	1967
Genre	Folk, Irish
Label	Pye
Songwriter(s)	Unknown (Trad.)

Synopsis

The story tells of a young man who has been well brought up but turns to crime in the city of Boston, in America.[2] Caught, tried and sentenced the man is placed on train to Charlestown,[2] and warns people to be lawful so to not end up incarcerated like him.[3][lower-alpha 1]

References

Notes

Footnotes

Sources

• "The Boston Burglar lyrics - by Johnny McEvoy". Bells Irish Lyrics. 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
• Gogan, Larry (1987). The Larry Gogan Book of Irish Hits (1st ed.). Dublin: Maxwell. ISBN 9781870846004. OCLC 17773253.
• "The Whitby Lad / Botany Bay / The Boston Burglar". MainlyNorfolk. 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.

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