Does anyone know who wrote this tinker song, as done by Ray Lynham, and how old it is? Regards Mick Bracken
Nancy was a tinker girl, roamed the country roads
And I will tell you how she came to be a legend in her time
The reason I have come to know, 'cause a tinker told me so
Who's there could better know, the tale of Nancy Miles
Nancy's father Tinker Dan, was a proud but honest man
Drove a horse drawn caravan, all through the Emerald Isle
And when Nancy was no more a child, Dan he didn't have to toil
Men would come from far and wide, to play for Nancy Miles
There's pretty girls in magazines, and movie stars and beauty queens
Nancy was the prettiest girl, a man could ever see
The gleam of love was in her eyes, and when she'd look at you and smile
'Twould make you feel that you were just the man she longed to see
Before the age of twenty-one, a hundred men had come and gone
None of them could win the gleam of love that was in her eyes
Then sure every man who loved her then, never was the same again
His memory was haunted, with thoughts of Nancy Miles
In every town and village too, the fame of Nancy grew and grew
Soon her name was spoken, at many a camp fireside
And in Ballinasloe, on Horse Fair Day, when tinker men would have their say
Many a fight was fought to win the coat of Nancy Miles
I hope that you don't get me wrong, 'cause Nancy was the sweetest one
Heart so full of kindness, and as charming as her smile
And she was known throughout the land, as queen of all the tinker clan
Was the dream of many a man, to marry Nancy Miles
Before the age of thirty-one, a thousand men had come and gone
None of them could win the gleam of love that was in her eyes
Then sure every man who loved her then, never was the same again
His memory was haunted, with thoughts of Nancy Miles
Then there came the saddest day, Nancy's father passed away
The loss it grieved her badly, for he was her only pride
And family friends and courtin' men, never saw her smile again
A change had taken place within the heart of Nancy Miles
Before the age of forty-one, Nancy she had come and gone
They searched the county over, not a trace of her could find
Oh but Nancy's memory will live on, as long as tinker men are born
Proudly they will sing this song, the tinker Nancy Miles