'Jimmy Murphy' also known as 'Little Jimmy Murphy' is a song, possibly of music-hall origin, referencing the 1798 rebellion, which occurred largely in Wexford.

According to research by Roly Brown:

'There are three versions; from Jack Barnard and a Mr J Thomas, both noted by Cecil Sharp; and a version sent to Sharp which was supplied by a Dr John Taylor who recorded it from 'a soldier'.

Each version is quite different, some not referencing the rebellion at all, but all versions sharing the distinctive nonsense refrain and a final verse stating that Jimmy Murphy was hung for courting ladies as opposed to sheep stealing.

According to Frank Harte

Frank Harte

Frank Harte was a traditional Irish singer, song collector, architect and lecturer. He was born and raised in Dublin. His father Peter Harte who had moved from a farming background in Sligo owned 'The Tap' pub in Chapelizod...

 '...it has been suggested to me that the reference in the last verse to Kate Whelan:

Now Jimmy Murphy was hanged not for sheep stealing

But for courting a pretty girl and her name was Kate Whelan

could be interpreted as a reference to Ireland as Cathleen ni Houlihan.'

'When I first heard this song, sung by Sean Óg O'Thuama many years ago, it had only three verses and that most peculiar chorus. A friend of mine, Luke Cheevers

Luke Cheevers

Luke Cheevers is a traditional Irish singer from Ringsend, Dublin, now living in the north side of the city. He is one of the best known singers in the country and is one of the stalwarts of An Goilin Singers Club in Dublin which was founded by Tim Dennehy and Donal De Barra in 1980...

, in true traditional fashion wrote several verses, which I believe enhance the song, and expand the story.'Frank Harte

Recordings

• Frank Harte
  Frank Harte
  Frank Harte was a traditional Irish singer, song collector, architect and lecturer. He was born and raised in Dublin. His father Peter Harte who had moved from a farming background in Sligo owned 'The Tap' pub in Chapelizod...
  
   on the album And Listen To My Song
  And Listen To My Song
  For 'And Listen to My Song' the memorial documentary made about Frank Harte by Peter Browne for RTÉ Radio, see And Listen To My Song is the third LP released by traditional Irish singer Frank Harte. It was the first of many albums recorded with Donal Lunny as accompanist and the first of Frank's...
  
  
• The Voice Squad
  The Voice Squad
  The Voice Squad are a traditional Irish singing group from Ireland. The members include Gerry Cullen, Phil Callery and Fran McPhail. They have recorded two albums and have toured Ireland, the UK and the US....
  
  on the album 'Hollywood'
• Niall Wall on the albums '1798 Songs of Wexford', 1998, and with the group Whisht on the album 'The Cuckoo's Note'