THE MURDER OF TOM THE TOILER (1700s) at Stumpy's Brae | Donegal Ghost Story recited by BERTIE BRYCE

THE LEGEND OF STUMPY'S BRAE
World-famous songwriter Cecil Frances Alexander composed a poem about a tragic happening occurring in the 1700s on a lonely stretch of road in County Donegal. The road, lying between Saint Johnston and Lifford, is still known as Stumpy's Brae to this day.
A greedy St Johnston couple who butchered 'Stumpy' suffered the haunting effects of their crime for the rest of their days. The gruesome tale of Stumpy's Brae, also known as the Legend of Tom the Toiler, begins on a lonely brae in East Donegal. Tom, a tinker, was allegedly murdered with a pick by an elderly couple for his belongings. After robbing him of all his goods, they tried to put him in his pack, but he was too tall, so they cut off his legs at the knee to bury him. Allegedly buried amongst the roots of a tree, Tom came back for vengeance as a gruesome ghost walking about on the stumps of his legs, tormenting his killers to their dying day.
Tradition varies as to Stumpy's final resting place. Some say that the burial was in Craighadoes on a small brae between what used to be Joshua Galbraith's farmhouse and the road. The poem supports the legend that the murder took place in an old house at the foot of what is now called Stumpy's Brae. The house was demolished in recent years.
Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander, the author of 'Once in Royal David's City' and 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' and 'There is a Green Hill Far Away', wrote the legend in poetry form.
On 10th April 2003 at Inch Island in County Donegal, Elizabeth McLeister interviewed the late BERTIE BRYCE. Born in 1920, Bertie farmed all his days and was a well known story-teller and raconteur. Here, he introduces and recites the haunting tale of Stumpie's Brae, written by Cecil Frances Alexander, the famous hymn-writer. Please note that Bertie deviates slightly from the original poem, although largely gets it right.

[@highlandpaddy2756]

Great bit of local folklore, and the real Ulster Scots phrasing in the poem. I grew up in Ballindrait and that's the first ever I heard tell of this poem. Fair play to that man. Great Stuff!

[@sheilam4964]

What a treasure. Thanks for sharing.