Music: "Oh my name it is Sam Hall"...or is it?

17 Dec 1707: "Oh, my name it is Sam Hall, chimney sweep, chimney sweep"...or was it? On World Music Day we look at the history behind "Sam Hall" or "Jack Hall" as it was originally written. There are many versions of this tune, sung by everyone from The Dubliners to Johnny Cash. Depending on the singer and your location the details get a little muddled.

 

Per Paddy Reilly's version, the ballad hails from Co. Cavan and tells the tale of Robin Hood styled anti-hero Sam Hall. Sam was an unrepentant chimney sweep, turned robber, hanged at Cootehill for his crimes. But is that the real story?
While based on actual events, Sam's name was actually Jack and he was English, not Irish. As a 7 year old, Jack was sold into indenture by his parents for the hefty sum of one guinea. He would be exploited by his chimney sweep employer as a "climbing boy". That is exactly what it sounds like...his job was to wriggle his small frame up into London's chimneys to clean them out from the inside.
Unsurprisingly Jack wasn't thrilled with his new occupation and escaped to the streets where he began his criminal career as a pickpocket. He eventually graduated to burglary, even forming his own gang of thieves and highwaymen.

Before his death, Jack had run afoul of the law several times. In 1692 he was whipped for thievery. He was sentenced to hang in 1700, but granted clemency. Unable or unwilling to mend his ways, Jack was arrested again in 1702 and physically branded as a thief after robbing a stagecoach. 

Finally, on 17 December 1707 Jack and two accomplices were hung at Tyburn after being apprehended in the act of robbing a home near Stepney.

But we do believe he had "twenty pounds in store" and certainly would have robbed for twenty more...that sounds like our Sam...I mean Jack…it's a haunting tune either way.