by Irish musicians Andy Irvine and Paul Brady as "The Plains of Kildare" on their duo album Andy Irvine/Paul Brady, in 1976. A French song called "Stewball" (or also known as "Il s'appelait Stewball") was recorded by Hugues Aufray in 1966, becoming one of Aufray's biggest hits. However, this song (written by Hugues Aufray and Pierre Delanoë) is unlike the English-language songs of the same name, although the adaptation was created after Aufray met Peter, Paul, and Mary, along with others such as Bob Dylan in a trip to the United States. Aufray's version takes the perspective of a man recalling an experience as a ten-year-old boy. His father believes that Stewball will win a race, so he puts all his money and assets into this venture. Toward the end of the race, Stewball tragically falls. The veterinarian finishes him off with a single shot. This is the first time that the narrator witnesses his father cry. Aufray's song is very different in that it features Stewball not winning his race and dying due to an injury. This version was also later translated into the Czech language by Milan Dvořák, becoming widely known as a campfire song. Also of interest are the renditions of the song by Doris Day that she had recorded in 1985/1986 for her TV series Doris Day's Best Friends: a solo version released on the American edition of her CD-album My Heart (2011) as well as a duet version with her late son Terry Melcher released in 2014 on the CD-album Music, Movies & Memories. The melody was also the basis for the song "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" by John Lennon, Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band, which has become a Christmas standard since its release in 1971. See also List of historical horses References External links Old Town School of Folk Music on Skewball Thoroughbred Heritage on Skewball: the horse Thoroughbred Heritage on Skewball: The Ballads 1741 racehorse births Racehorses bred in the United Kingdom Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom Racehorses trained in Ireland Thoroughbred family 21 Peter, Paul and Mary songs Joan Baez songs Songs about horses Woody Guthrie songs