In reference to Frank McNally’s views on Percy French’s classic song ‘The Mountains of Mourne’ in his recent An Irishman’s Diary entry on October 10th, it’s interesting to note that the sheet music credits both Percy French and Houston Collison as the creators. French penned the lyrics, while Collison, using an original Irish melody, organised the music.
Born in 1865 in Dublin, William Alexander Houston Collison was a versatile individual, serving at times as a Church of Ireland chorister, organist, and eventually ordained clergyman. Notably, he continued his musical pursuits post-ordination and embarked on concert tours alongside French. Percy French tragically succumbed to pneumonia in Liverpool at a friend’s residence in 1920. Collison officiated the funeral service, but he himself passed away just a week later.
With warm regards,
KEVIN O’SULLIVAN,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.