Noreen asked about Cds with this song. I have two. One is on Vol. 1 of a 3 CD set called "Songs of Ireland". Recorded in Canada and features various artists.This whole CD, however is done by the Dubliners. The title is given as "Bog Down In the Valley". The other one is also part of a 3 CD set (this time Vol. 3) "The Irish Rovers: 36 All-Time Greatest Hits" and titled "The Rattling Bog." Recorded by Universal Music Special Markets, Inc., Universal City, CA 91508

I also have a 4 volume set of books called "Folksongs and Ballads Popular in Ireland." Volume 3 has "The Bog Down In the Valley-O." The notes for it say, "A nonsense-cumulative life-cycle song found all over Europe in one form or another. Sometimes the cycle is complete, as in some English West County versions. The song given here is quite well known in and around Dublin but curiously not often heard in other parts of the country. As 'The Tree In the Wood' it can be found in Cecil Sharp's 'Folksongs From Somerset' (4th series). Only the Dublin version introduces a flea into the story."

The version in the book is pretty much what the Dubliners sing on the CD I have. It goes tree, limb, branch, twig, nest, egg, bird, feather, flea.

Reiver 2