Amos the Leper

briany

Anyone who a) was reared in Ireland and b) is now in their mid to late 40s may break out in hives reading this title because it is the name of a curious little song introduced into the national school curriculum in 1984, and may have only lasted one year, if that. Not being quite that old yet, it's something I've only heard passing reference to from relatives, but I was wondering if anyone remembers being made to sing the song in school, mainly.

There is little reference to it on the web apart from a blog and a brief mention of it here, although there is this rendition on Youtube as well -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0zbNsarn1M

Would be interested to know if this was the original melody, if anyone remembers singing it in school.

Lyrics:

"Amos was a family man. He earned his living from the land;Many friends had AmosAnd a wife and family.

But friends and family left his side. When he became a leper man. Yes, Amos the leper Was banished from the land.

So cry Unclean! oh you lonely lonely leper,Stay away in your cave upon the hill.

Ring your bell oh you sad and lonely leper. Amos the leper was banished from the land,Yes, Amos the leper was banished from the land..."

I suppose the song is intended as a broad reference to the gospels, although it could hardly be called a parable. It's just this weird song that says lepers get cast out of villages. 🙅

Also was wondering if this song had any history prior to being introduced into the 1984 curriculum or if somebody was actually paid by the education board to sit down and write it!

Hangdogroad

Would this have been primary or secondary school? I would have been in I think third class in 84. I don't recall that song but I do remember stuff about lepers in catechism and that "unclean, unclean" thing. Also I remember something about Father Damien (19th century Belgium monk who moved to a leper colony) in either Sonas or Siamsa. Any mention of it used to give me the willies.

briany

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123295505#Comment_123295505

This was in the primary school curriculum, I believe. It may not have been for every class - there's so little information about it, that I don't know how a song on the curriculum would necessarily work. I don't know if it was a standalone thing or if it appeared in a textbook for a particular class.

Yeah Right

I vaguely remember it alright. You've just awakened a memory of this though…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg6_oTBrPm0

Pawwed Rig

Amos lived in misery as low as any man could be

Until he met with Jesus at the edge of the town

Jesus turned and said to him Go in peace you're cured said he

Pawwed Rig

My recollection of the first part is slightly different to yours

Lyrics:

"Amos was a family man. He earned his living from the land;Many friends had Amos and a wife and family.

But friends and neighbours left his side. When he became a leper man. No one wanted Amos now because he was unclean

Ring your bell oh you lonely lonely leper, cry Unclean as you wander all around, Ring your bell oh you sad and lonely leper. Amos the leper you're banished from this town

(not to say I am remembering it correctly btw. It has been 40 years) ;)

screamer

i can remember the chorus and i can still sing it, and its more melodic and faster than that first video

ring your bell oh you lonely lonely lepper, cry unclean as you wonder all around, stay away in your cave up on the hillside, amos the lepper you're banished from this town

now anyone remember zachaeus?

Pawwed Rig

Zachaeus was the dwarf tax collector who claimed the tree wasn't he?

Ten of Swords

Definitely needs a synthwave remix

Hangdogroad

Zechariah, come down from that tree!

Pawwed Rig

A couple of other songs that were on the same tape as Amos were

Harambay

Children of the Universe

People of God