The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #168834   Message #4128013
Posted By: Hornpipe
04-Dec-21 - 04:31 PM
Thread Name: Lyr ADD: The Meet Was At Matthews
Subject: ADD: The Meet Was At Matthews
I just found a copy of Jimmy’s 1986 book, which includes the lyrics to this song. They differ slightly from the version printed on the album sheet: small details like “bawl” instead of “ball” and “swang” instead of “swing” as well as the spelling of the local names Mathews (only one “t”), Hayes and Fare. I think this set of lyrics is in fact the authoritative and correct version, so I’ll post the whole song again.

THE MEET WAS AT MATHEWS
(the official lyrics as published in “Jimmy Crowley’s Irish Song Book (The Mercier Press, Cork, 1986)

The meet was at Mathews, the boys were all there
With a couple of sportsmen, including Boss Fare
The hounds started trailing when Finder gave out
And he gave such a bawl the hare upped in full view.

With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho
(With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho.

The first place we met her was Hayse’s ploughed land
Where Blaire from Cat Lane held the dog in his hand
She passed him so spritely, he got overjoyed
And he left the dog loose where McHugh got annoyed.

With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho
(With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho.

The next place we saw her was Connor’s glen
And from that to Ballea was a fine rattling spin
She passed the old brake, where Drummer gave out
And he kept on the trail for we knew he was true.

With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho
(With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho.

‘Twas in Andy’s big ploughland the hare started to dodge
And she gave the big ring where our boys had to trod.
She jumped on the road, swang around by Tom Brownes
Jumped back on the road and she bailed out McShines.

With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho
(With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho.

Here’s health to Timmy Meegan, that sportsman of fame
Like a boy of sixteen he was wild for that game.
While hunting the hounds his like seldom was seen
And he rattled ‘em in to the groves of Glasheen.

With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho
(With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho.

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