Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Mar 20 - 02:42 PM

Now if it was "Tread on the Tail of Me Cat" that would be a real occasion for a fight.

I always wish The Quiet Man had been made with Robert Mitchum. John Wayne never felt authentic to me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 20 - 09:42 PM

The melody is a common slip jig (9/8 time) to which many songs have been set, including "Moll Roe," "One Bumper at Parting" and "The Salt." See: https://tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:Moll_Roe_(1)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 19 - 02:47 PM

Subject: Lyr Add: MICKEY MAGEE or THE TAIL OF MY COAT (1864
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Aug 19 - 12:45 PM

From Hooley's Opera House Songster (New York: Dick & Fitzgerald, 1864), page 58:

Mickey Magee; or, the Tail of my Coat.
(Now first published complete.)
Written by John F. Poole, and sung by W. J. Florence, G. C. Charles, Fred. May, and others.
Air—“Cupid took lodgings in Dublin.”

“Cupid took lodgings in Dublin,
  And that to my sorrow I know;
For, faith! my poor heart he was throublin,
  Whin he tickled me with his bow.”

I'll thry to rehearse you a ditty,
  If you will but listen to me;
I'm from Dublin's own famous big city,
  My name, faix, is Mickey Magee.
I at Donnybrook often was seen, sir,
  Bekase I was fond of the sport;
But not a man on the whole green, sir,
  Dare tread on the tail of my coat."

CHORUS: Whack fol de rol, etc.

I learned my reading and writing,
  At Ballyragget, where I wint to school;
It was there, too, I first took to fighting,
  With the schoolmaster, Misther O'Toole;
He and I there had many a scrimmage,
  Bad luck to the copy I wrote;
But not a gossoon in the village
  Dare tread on the tail of my coat.

I an illegant hand was at courting,
  For lessons I took in the art;
Till Cupid, that blackguard, while sporting,
  A big arrow sent smack through my heart
Miss O'Connor, I lived straight forninst her,
  And tindher lines to her I wrote;
Who dar say a black word aginst her,
  Why, I'd tread on the tail of his coat.

A bog-trotter, one Pether Mulvaney,
  He tried for to stale her away;
He had money, and I hadn't any,
  So a challenge I sint him one day.
Next morning we met at Kilhealy,
  The Shannon we crossed in a boat,
There I lathered him with my shillaly,
  For (the thief of the world) he trod on the tail of my coat.

Soon my fame spread abroad through the nation,
  Folks flocked for to gaze upon me;
All cried out without hesitation,
  “Och, you're a fighting man, Mickey Magee.”
I fought with the Finegan faction,
  We'd bate all the Murphys afloat;
If, inclined for a row or a ruction,
  (I'd just go through the fair with my bit of blackthorn in my fist, and I’d ax thim in the politest manner)
  To tread on the tail of my coat.

Irish necter, I know how to make it,
  It's hot, strong, and sweet whisky punch;
And the doctor he tould me to take it
  Every half-hour by way of a lunch.
But if you with your whisky mix wather,
  And try to cram that down my throat
'Pon me conscience! I'll give you a quarther
  To jump on the tail of my coat.

(Encore verses to this song, by Fred. May, may be found in “Fred. May's” Comic Songster.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: Thompson
Date: 31 Jul 19 - 03:04 PM

The lines in Irish that Mary Kate whispers to the priest are revealing that Sean won't sleep in the same bed as her, but instead sleeps in a sleeping bag - in other words, he has not performed his marital rites.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: GUEST,Chris Simmons
Date: 29 Jul 19 - 05:20 PM

If J.F. Poole did indeed write Mush Mush Mush etc or Tread On The Tail Of Me Coat it would not surprise me. Poole wrote the popular number "No Irish Need Apply" (the one that begins "I'm a dacent lad just landed from the town of Ballyfad"). Poole also was a prolific writer of plays and sketches (and songs) for the NYC Variety Theatres of the 1860s and 1870s.He was "house dramatist" for several of them. Of course dragging ones coat in front of your foes (and daring them to tread on it) was an act of defiance (supposedly) for Irish "faction fighters" of an earlier age.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 11 Sep 17 - 12:11 PM

Excellent, indeed!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 11 Sep 17 - 11:05 AM

Excellent research, Jim!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Sep 17 - 05:33 PM

Steve: Good catch on the inaccuracy of the date. I believe it is a misprint.

The book in question says, right after the title page:

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the
year 1847, by
D. & J. SADLIER,
in the Clerk's office of the District Court for the
Southern District of New-York.

But I noticed that the book is actually in 3 parts. The first part is called "The Emerald Songster" as you can see by the page header. When I searched for "The Emerald Songster" (which was apparently also published as a separate volume) I found this advertisement:

JUST PUBLISHED.
THE EMERALD SONGSTER.
Containing a collection of the latest and most popular Irish, Patriotic,
Sentimental and Comic Songs. 320 pages. Paper cover …. $0.20
Cloth …....... 0.40

The advertisment appears in another book by the same publisher: Sadliers' Catholic Directory, Almanac and Ordo, For the Year of Our Lord 1874.

So there you have it: the date should have been 1874, not 1847.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 10 Sep 17 - 03:10 PM

I'm afraid the 1847 is either a misprint or a deception as many of the songs are from the 1860s. See p147 The Flying Trapeze which is as late as 1868.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 10 Sep 17 - 02:21 PM

All part of the team, Jim. That's a great find, yourself, taking it back to 1847.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TAIL IV ME COAT
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Sep 17 - 01:29 PM

Steve Gardham: Thanks for providing the correct title. Finding these old songs is often a matter of guessing at the original spelling. I would not have thought of searching for "iv" instead of "of." "Thread" for "tread" would have thrown me off, too.

Found in Songs of Ireland and Other Lands: Being a Collection of the Most Popular Irish Sentimental and Comic Songs (New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co., 1847), page 178:


THE TAIL IV ME COAT.

I larned me reading an' writing,
At Ballyragget where I wint to school,
'Twas there I first took to fighting,
With the school-master, Misther O'Toole;
He and I had many a scrimmage,
The divil a copy I wrote,
But not a gossoon in the village,
Dare thread on the tail iv me coat.

I an illegant hand was at courting,
For lessons I took in the art,
Till cupid, that blaggard, while sporting,
A big arrow sint smack through me heart.
Miss O'Conner, I live straight forninst her,
And tindher lines to her I wrote,
Who dare say a black word against her,
Why I'd thread on the tail iv their coat.

A bog-trotter wan, Micky Mulvany,
He tried for to coax her away;
He had money and I hadn't any,
So a challenge I sent him wan day.
Next morning we met at Killhealy,
The Shannon we crossed in a boat,
There I lather'd him wid me shillely,
For he trod on the tail iv me coat.

Me fame spread through the nation,
Folks flock for to gaze upon me,
All cry out without hesitation,
"Och, yer a fightin' man, Micky Magee!''
I fought with the Finnagan faction,
We bate all the Murphys afloat,
If inclined for a row or a ruction,
Why, I'd tread on the tail iv me coat.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 10 Sep 17 - 09:42 AM

The earliest copy I have isn't dated but I'd say probably 1880s as printed by Horace Partridge at 105, Hanover St, Boston, Mass. There it is credited as written and sung by J. F. Poole and titled 'The Tail iv me Coat'. However it was printed in Britain by Pearson of Manchester and Sanderson of Edinburgh about the same time. I also have the name Sylvester Gaffney as the author. A version was printed in the Scottish Students Song Book p264 with tune, but I can't bring my copy to hand at the moment. Of course it's in most of those little booklets printed in the early 20thc by Waltons in Dublin and in some of Healy's books published later on. The language is most definitely 'stage Irish', and it probably originated in America.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 10 Sep 17 - 04:29 AM

Oooops! Think I'm wrong about the "gay guitar" tag - that was Charlie Magee, methinks.

Apologies

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 10 Sep 17 - 04:14 AM

Incidentally, his tag line was "Willie Brady and hus gay guitar!"!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 10 Sep 17 - 03:50 AM

IIRC, Willy Brady was resident singer on an Irish radio programme sponsored by Walton's music publishers. Late '50s, early '60's - st a guess. He certainly sang the song in question.

Regards.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tread on the Tail of Me Coat
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Sep 17 - 01:24 AM

There's a recording on YouTube of TREAD ON THE TAIL OF ME COAT sung by Willie Brady from an album called "Irish Humorous Songs, Volume Two." No date is given, but the album cover looks old—I'm guessing 1970's based on the typography.

There's another version on YouTube called MUSH MUSH MUSH TURAL-I-ADDY, sung by Michael O'Duffy. The album is not identified, nor the year of release, but the smarmy orchestral arrangement makes it sound older.

The lyrics of both versions are closer to those posted by George Seto than to those sung by Moran & Andrews (and posted by me above).

Subject: Lyr Add: TREAD ON THE TAIL OF ME COAT
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Sep 17 - 07:06 PM

According to IMDb.com, the song sung in "The Quiet Man" was called "Mush-Mush-Mush Tural-I-Addy." It is described as "Traditional, adapted by Sean O'Casey and Dennis O'Casey" and "sung by the townsmen."

Another version called "MUSH MUSH" is given in the DT. It differs from the version posted by George Seto above.

The DT says the Clancys recorded it, but I consider this doubtful.

Here's another version, transcribed by me from the recording. Note that it has a different chorus. I had to guess at the place-names; they are spelled phonetically to the best of my ability.


TREAD ON THE TAIL OF ME COAT
As recorded by Patrick Moran & Chris Andrews on "No Place Like Home" (2005)

1. I first learned my readin' and writin'
At Theraggin(?) where I went to school.
It was there I first took to me fightin'
With the schoolmaster, Mickey O'Toole.
Me and he had many's a scrimmage,
But devil the lesson I wrote.
If you're in for a row or a ruction,
You just tread on the tail of me coat.

CHORUS: Oh, tread on the tail of me coat, ah-ha!
Tread on the tail of me coat.
If you're in for a row or a ruction,
You just tread on the tail of me coat.

2. One bog-trotter, Mickey O'Malley,
Tried to steal my best girl away.
He had money, but I hadn't any,
So a challenge I sent the next day.
Well we met the next morn at Kildaley(?)
And the Shannon we crossed in a boat,
And I lathered him with my shillelagh,
For he tread on the tail of me coat. CHORUS

3. Oh, me name it spread over the nation,
And sure gangs all flocked to see me,
And they cried without hesitation:
"You're a fightin' man, Mickey McGee.
Well, I fought in the Linnegan(?) fashion,
And I drove me opponents afloat
When I lathered them with my shillelagh,
For they tread on the tail of me coat. CHORUS TWICE

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: Brían
Date: 02 Sep 01 - 08:12 PM

I should have read the thread. Thanks Walter. I just have to watch the Turner Classic Movies channel tomorrow.

Brían

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: Brían
Date: 02 Sep 01 - 04:40 PM

To GUEST,Boston Bill: I would have to get the tape out of storage to remember exactly, but She says, basically that he won't sleep in the bed with her, he'd rather sleep in the bag on the floor.(Is fearr leis codladh sa mhála?)
Brían

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: Shields Folk
Date: 02 Sep 01 - 02:30 PM

I once had an Irish Setter. Whilst looking up a suitable name we considered calling him........Dum dum, dum dum, dum dum, diddle diddle, dum dum......HONEST

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: DougR
Date: 02 Sep 01 - 02:22 PM

On the CD I have: 1. Main Title & Castletown Opening 2. This Way/Journey to Innisfree & Humble Cottage 3. Sean sees Mary Kate for the first time (Sheep grazing) Arrival in Innesfree 4. The Wild Colonia Boy/River Cottage 5. The Race 6. The Courting/Bicycle Made fro Two (Village Street) 7. Love Scene (The Stream/The Graveyard) 8. Trooper Thorne (The Fight Bell) 9. The Isle of Innesfree 10. I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen 11. Cottage Fireside (Forlorn) 12. Galway Bay 13. Prelude to the big fight 14. The Fight 15. Finale and End Title 16. The Isle of Innisfree

I'm afraid that won't help much, though, Joe, because the tunes are not otherwise identified.

DougR

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: Walter Corey
Date: 02 Sep 01 - 01:16 PM

For those that don't have it, The Quiet Man will be on Turner Classic Movies cable channel at noon on Tuesday, Sept 4th

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: GUEST,Boston Bill
Date: 02 Sep 01 - 12:13 AM

Anyone have the few lines of Gaelic spoken(Maureen/Clergy)? Bill

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 09:43 PM

Yes, John, and the basic "theme" as well. Played in diff. keys/tempos and octaves througout the movie. Drove me nutso because the "b" part was never played!

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 09:41 PM


The big fight scene was "Rakes of Mallow," wasn't it?

John

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 07:58 PM

I have the movie, just don't watch it often. Sorry, should do, eh?

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 07:45 PM

Wild Colonial Boy

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 04:42 PM

The soundtrack lists these songs:
The Quiet Man
Danaher's House
My Mother
Big Fight Forlorn (Mary Kate's Lament)
I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
St. Patrick's Day

But I am sure there are more.......

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: ard mhacha
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 02:34 PM

On the thread "we`re losing a good site" click on the first item on this thread and it will take you to The Record Lady`s site, scroll through and you will hear a version of the song. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From:
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 02:00 PM

Good enough reason to dig that show out of my video collection.

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 12:14 PM

There were several Irish songs or snippets of songs in the movie. Anybody got a list of them? It would be nice to collect the lyrics for all of them.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: The Quiet Man
From:
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 11:12 AM

MUSH MUSH

It was there I learned readin' and writin'
At Dick Croly's where I went to school,
And 'twas there I learned howlin and fightin'
with my school master Mister O'Toole.
Him and me we had many a scrimmage,
and devil a copy I wrote,
there was ne'er a gossoon in the village,
dared tread on the tail of my coat of my coat.

CHORUS:
Mush, mush, mush, turaliady,
Sing mush, mush, mush, turalia,
There was ne'er a gossoon in the village
dared tread on the tail of my coat.

Oh 'twas there I learned all my courtin',
Many lessons I took in the art;
Till Cupid, the blackguard, while sportin',
An arrow drove straight thro' my heart.
Molly O'Connor, she lived just forninst me,
And tender lines to her I wrote,
If you dare say on hard word again her,
I'll tread on the tail of your coat.

But a blackguard called Mickey Maloney,
came and stole her affections away,
For he'd money and I had'nt any,
So I sent him a challenge next day.
In the evening we met at the woodbine,
The shannon we crossed in a boat,
And I lathered him with my shillelah,
for he trod on the tail of my coat.

Oh, my fame went abroad thro' the nation
and folks came a flocking to see
And they cried out without hesitation,
"You're a fightin' man, Billy McGee."
I have claned out the Finegan faction,
And I've licked all the Murphys afloat,
If you're in for a row or a ruction,
Just tread on the tail of my coat.

Subject: The Quiet Man
From:
Date: 08 Nov 96 - 05:36 PM

In the film "The Quiet Man",there is a song called "I'll Tread On The Tail of Your Coat". It is sung by the menfolk when delivering Maureen O'Hara's dowry furniture.

Does anyone know of this song and,if so,whether it has ever been recorded elsewhere?

It is apparently a very old traditional Irish folk song but all my attempts to find it have failed.

I'd be grateful for ANY help!

---

Also see: Alt lyrics Isle of Innisfree (Quiet Man)