Alison is usually right!!


SLATTERY'S MOUNTED FUT
(Percy French)

You've heard o' Julius Ceasar, and the great Napolean, too,
An' how the Cork Militia beat the Turks at Waterloo;
But there's a page of glory that, as yet, remains uncut,
An' that's the Martial story o' the Shlathery's Mounted Fut.
This gallant corps was organised by Shlathery's eldest son.
A noble-minded poacher, wid a double- breasted gun;
An' many a head was broken, aye, an' many an eye was shut,
Whin practisin' manoeuvres in the Shlathery's Mounted Fut.

Chorus
An' down from the mountains came the squadrons an' platoons,
Four-an'-twinty fightin' min, an' a couple o' sthout gossoons,
An' whin we marched behind the dhrum to patriotic tunes,
We felt that fame would gild the name o' Shlathery's Light Dragoons.

Well, first we reconnoithered round o' O'Sullivan's Shebeen--
It used to be "The Shop House," but we call it, "The Canteen;"
But there we saw a notice which the bravest heart unnerved--
"All liquor must be settled for before the dhrink is served."
So on we marched, but soon again each warrior's heart grew pale,
For risin' high in front o' us we saw the County Jail;
An' whin the army faced about, 'twas just in time to find,
A couple o' policemin had surrounded us behind.

Chorus
Still, from the mountains came the squadrons and platoons,
Four-an'-twinty fightin' min, an' a couple o' sthout gossoons,
Says Shlathery, "We must circumvent these bludgeonin' bosthoons
Or else it sames they'll take the names o' Shlathery's Light Dragoons."

"We'll cross the ditch," our leader cried, "an' take the foe in flank,"
But yells of consthernation here arose from every rank,
For posted high upon a tree we very plainly saw,
"Threspassers prosecuted, in accordance wid' the law."
"We're foiled!" exclaimed bold Shlathery, "here ends our grand campaign,
'Tis merely throwin' life away to face that mearin' dhrain,
I'm not as bold as lions, but I'm braver nor a hin,
An' he that fights and runs away will live to fight agin."

Chorus
An' back to the mountains went the squadrons an' platoons,
Four-an'-twinty fightin' min, an' a couple o' sthout gossoons,
The band was playin' cautiously their patriotic tunes;
To sing the fame, if rather lame o' Shlathery's Light Dragoons.
^^

Regards Mick Bracken