Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat

Subject: Lyr Req: This is a long shot...
From: Maija
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 11:51 AM

I am looking for a song that I really have no idea about how goes (great, huh?) because every time I hear it, I keep concentrating on what that melody is... so familiar but so hard to get.

Now at least I got the melody: it's the same one as "the Recruiting Sergeant" (at least the version I know from the Pogues).

So, now for the lyrics. The tiny tad of it that I do know, I cannot even spell correctly (great, huh? #2), but here goes: "with a haggedeedee let go of me" It's the refrain, repeated three-four times.

I know this song only live from a German bloke called Eric Fish. He plays English / Irish / Scottish trads as well as singer/songwriter stuff, so it might be just about anything, but at least it ain't classical music. Narrowing stuff down is important! *laughs*

So, please please help! Any info would be appreciated, I have spent hours searching the net without any luck...

Subject: RE: Req:This is a long shot...haggedeedee let go of me
From: MMario
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 01:00 PM

Ther is a web site for an eric Fish at http://www.ericfish.de

drilling down through I found a fan site with more lyrics then the "official site" they list the lyrics for his "Non-verbale Hymne" as "hey-jadadei deideideidadei..."

Subject: RE: Req:This is a long shot...haggedeedee let go o
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 01:49 PM

Thanks for the help, but I am familiar with the websites, both of Eric and of the Traumfänger :)

The Non-Verbale Hymne is very good, though. Check it out on www.amazon.de . (Aaand it does have lyrics too. It's called Anders sein.)

Subject: RE: Req:This is a long shot...haggedeedee let go of me
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 08:18 PM

Those words appear in an arrangement of  The Peeler and the Goat  recorded some years ago by the Irish band Oisin. There is no such refrain in the broadside or traditional forms I've seen, so I don't know if it really belongs to the song or not. It goes something like

With a hecketty-dee, let go of me
Or I'll puck you with my horns-o;
And a hecketty-dee, let go of me
Or I'll leave you bruised and torn-o.

See if the rest of the words sound familiar to you.

Subject: RE: Req:This is a long shot...haggedeedee let go of me
From: Lighter
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 08:45 PM

The Clancy Bros. & Tommy Makem sang the song with this chorus on stage about 1969. Not sure if it ever appeared on any of their albums. Presumably they sang "puck," but unfamiliar with the word at that time I thought it was the far less seemly "bugger."

Subject: RE: Req:This is a long shot...haggedeedee let go o
From: Nerd
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 03:01 AM

Yes, Malcolm, I'm pretty sure this is the song Maija asked about. I have heard it sung by Oisin and by others with this refrain, and the tune is the one the Pogues used for "The Recruiting Sergeant."

Subject: RE: Req:This is a long shot...haggedeedee let go o
From: Maija
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 03:08 AM

(Oops, that guest appearance would have been me. Not easy to get a hang of this board.)

@Malcolm Douglas: cheers a lot, at least those two extra lines do ring some bells. I guess I will have to make a wee recording of it the next time I hear it to be sure, though.

Subject: RE: Req:This is a long shot...haggedeedee let go of me
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 01:20 AM

The Peeler and the Goat was a favorite of my grandmother (on dad's side) she was born in Old Ross in Wexford. HER chorus goes:

Meg a meg meg let go of me leg or I'll pucker you with me horn oh
Fiddle dee dee let go of me or I'll leave you bruised and torn oh

Dont ya just LOVE oral tradition?

CB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: Mrrzy
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 05:13 PM

Anybody have the words to the Wilfe Tones version? The Google has disappointed me here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 06:40 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5TS-aMCLnY

The singer posted some years ago on this site. The lyrics (which I'm assuming are the same or similar to those sung by the WTs) are under the video.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PEELER AND THE GOAT
From: cnd
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 08:55 PM

Starship --- sadly, looks like the singer didn't actually put the lyrics in the description unless I missed them.

I copied and adapted slightly the lyrics from https://www.bartleby.com/250/101.html and here.

I should add that I know no Irish (and am not Irish) and that most of my changes will be less dialectically-focused than the original. I'll also admit I may have bitten off more than I can chew, so I will gladly take any corrections to this transcription.


The Bansha Peelers wint won night
On duty and pathrollin’ O,
An’ met a goat upon the road,
And tuck her for being a sthroller O.
Wud bay’net fixed he sallied forth,
An’ caught him by the wizzen O,
An’ then they swore a mighty oath,
They'd send him off to prison O.

REFRAIN:
Haon, dó, trí, ceathair
A hecklety-gecklety, let go o' me leg
Or I'll pucker you with me horn-o;
Hey diddly-dee, and let go of me
Or I'll leave you bruised and torn-o.

“Oh, mercy, sir!” the goat replied,
“Come let me tell me story O!
I am no Rogue, no Ribbonman,
No Croppy, Whig, or Tory O;
And a-guilty not of any crime
Of petty, high thraison O,
Me tribe is at this time
For this the huntin' season O”

REFRAIN

“O, It is in vain for to complain
Or give your tongue such bridle O,
You’re absent from your dwellin’ place,
Disorderly and idle O.
And your hoary locks will not prevail,        
Your sublime oratation* O,        
For Peeler's Act will you transport
On your own information, O”

REFRAIN

“No penal laws I did transgress
By deed or combination O.
I have no certain place of rest,
No home or habitation O.
But Bansha is my dwelling-place,
Where I was bred and born O,
Descended from an honest race,
That’s all the trade I’ve learned O.”

REFRAIN

“O, the consequince be what it will,
A peeler’s power I’ll let you know,
I’ll handcuff you, and all events,
And march you off to Bridewell O.
An’ sure, there, you rogue, you can’t deny
Before a judge or jury O,
Intimidation with your horns,
An’ threatenin’ me with fury O.”

REFRAIN

“I’ll make no doubt but what ya’ dhrunk,
Wud whiskey, rum, or brandy O,
Or you wouldn’t have such gallant spunk
To be so bould or manly O.
For you readily would let me pass
If I had money handy O,
For to treat you to a potheen glass
Til it's then I'd be your dandy O.

REFRAIN

*The original lyrics had "oration," which makes more sense, but you can clearly hear a second "t" in there.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: cnd
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 08:57 PM

Oops, I swear I proofread this but the word between "Me tribe is" and "at this time" disappeared somehow - I heard it was "wantin'"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 09:01 PM

Wolfe Tones version.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 09:06 PM

Thanks, cnd. I think I was looking at the following site and listening to the other. Promise, there's a set of lyrics at the following:

https://www.irish-folk-songs.com/the-peeler-and-the-goat-lyrics-and-chords.html

Unfortunately, the lyrics aren't organized with stanza breaks, etc.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 10:02 PM

There's a DT Study thread on this: DTStudy: The Peeler and the Goat, which includes the bartleby words.

The song also appears here in the DT: The Peeler And The Goat


Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 10:10 PM

DOH on my part, Mick.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PEELER AND THE GOAT (Darby Ryan)
From: GUEST,threelegsoman
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 03:29 AM

I uploaded a version of "The Peeler and the Goat" about five years ago on YouTube. At that time I used to add annotations to my videos using YouTube's own annotations, but in 2017 they made them obsolete and although they promised that they would still be visible, they no longer are. Consequently, when I am reminded of a song that does not appear to have the annotations with it, I am adding them with the information below the video. I have just done this with my version of this song.
They are as follows:

THE PEELER AND THE GOAT
Darby Ryan


The Bansha peelers went one night on duty and patrolling O
They met a goat upon the road and took him for being a stroller O
With bayonets fixed they sallied forth and caught him by the wizzen O
And then they swore a mighty oath we'll send you off to prison O

Hi-hecketty-giggle let go of me leg or I'll poke you with me horn O
Hi-diddle-ee-dee let go of me or I'll leave you bruised and torn O

"Oh, mercy, sir!" the goat replied "And let me tell my story O
I am no rogue, no Ribbonman no Croppy, Whig, or Tory O
I'm guilty not of any crime of petty or high treason O
Me tribe is wanted at this time for this is ranting season O"

"It is in vain for to complain or give your tongue such bridle O
You're absent from your dwelling place disorderly and idle O
Your hoary locks will not prevail nor your sublime oration O
For Peeler's Act will you transport on your own information O"

"No penal laws I did transgress by deeds or combination O
I have no certain place of rest no home or habitation O
But Bansha is my dwelling place where I was bred and born O
I'm descended from an honest race that's all the trade I've learned O"

"I will chastise your insolence and violent behaviour O;
Well bound to Cashel you'll be sent, where you will gain no favour O
The magistrates will all consent to sign your condemnation O;
From there to Cork you will be sent for speedy transportation O."

"This parish an' this neighbourhood are peaceable and tranquil O;
There is no disturbance here, thank God! And long may it continue so.
I don't regard your oath a pin, or sign for my committal O,
My jury will be gentlemen and grant me my acquittal O."

"The consequence be what it will, a Peelers power I'll let you know,
I'll handcuff you, at all events, and march you off to Bridewell O.
And sure, you rogue, you can't deny before the judge or jury O,
Intimidation with your horns, and threatening me with fury O."

"I make no doubt that you are drunk, with whiskey, rum, or brandy O,
Or you wouldn't have such gallant spunk, to be so bold and manly O.
You readily would let me pass if I had money handy O,
To treat you to a poteen glass- 'tis then I'd be the dandy O."

The Peeler and the Goat

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PEELER AND THE PIG
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 07:45 AM

This is part of the notes to this song which can be found on the Clare County Library website (Carroll Mackenzie Collection
Jim Carroll

Inspired by the introduction of the new police into Ireland by Sir Robert Peel in the 1830s, this satire, written by Jeremiah O'Ryan (Derby Ryan), gave rise to a number of imitations and parodies, including the song entitled The Peelers and The Pig which was published in Kidson and Moffat's collection, A Garland of English Folk-Songs.

THE PEELER AND THE PIG

A bunch of peelers went out one day on duty for patrolling, O,
A pig they met upon the way that on the road was rolling, O.
Says one This is the clearest case this pigs the road obstructed, O.
Let's take it to that lock-up place for vagrant beasts constructed, O.

The pig roamed up and down the street with ears erected saliently,
Upon the beast with silent feet they all advanced most valiantly.
"Move on!" in solemn tones they cried, "your habitation is the stye,
Your occupation to provide the rasher and the porcine pie!'

With many a loud insulting grunt the laws coercion it defied,
In following the piggish hunt the peelers ‘legs were sorely tried.
At last at Murphy's yard it paused and thought to join its usual sty,
A fatal pause - for thus it caused its capture with a joyful cry.

And so this very wicked swine was led in a triumphant course,
And Murphy in default of fine surrendered piggy to the Force.
And round the stations glowing grate each other's ribs in joy they dig,
And laugh with glee while they relate their triumph over Murphy's pig.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 08:34 AM

I've wondered from time to time if this song was the inspiration for Tommy Armstrong's The Marla Hill Ducks: Imprisoned for Trespassing

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 10:35 AM

It's an idea Mick
Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 10:39 AM

Do we have the authentic original words as written by Derby Ryan? I'm wondering whether "ranting season" ought to be "rutting season".

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PEELER AND THE GOAT (Darby Ryan)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 11:17 AM

This is from George-Denis Zimmerman’s invaluable Songs of Irish Rebellion
It’s probably the nearest you’ll get to an original
It’s followed by ‘The Ass’s Complaint’ and ‘The Ass and the Orangeman’s Daughter
Jim Carroll

THE PEELER AND THE GOAT (c. 1830)
TEXT: By Jeremiah O’Ryan («Darby Ryan»). Broadside in the N.L.I.

A set of peelers were out one nigtht, on duty and patrolling, O
They met a goat upon the road who seemed to be a-strolling, O
With bayonets fixed 'they sallied forth and caught her by the weazen,
O And then swore out a mighty oath they’d send her off to prison, O.

Goat:
Oh, mercy, sir, the goat replied, pray let me ted! my story,
O I am no rogue or ribbonman, or croppy, whig or tory,
O I’m guilty not of any crime, of petty or high treason, O
And I’m sadly wanted at this time, for ’tis the milking season, O.

Peeler:
It is in vain you do complain, or give your tongue such bridle, O
You’re absent from your dwelling place, disorderly and idle,
O Your hoary locks will not avail, nor your sublime oration, O
For Grattan’s Act will you transport, by your ow,n information, O.

Goat:
The Penal Laws I ne’er transgressed by deed or combination, O
I have no fixed place of abode, nor certain habitation, O
Bansha is my dwelling place where I was bred and born, O
Descended from an honest race, therefore your threats I scorn, O.

Peeler:
I’ll soon chastise your impudence and insolent behaviour, O
Well bound to Cashel you’ll be sent, where you will find no favour, O
Impartial Billy Purefroy will sign your condemnation, O
And from there to Cork you will be sent for speedy -transportation, O.

Goat:
This parish and neighbourhood are peaceful, quiet and tranquil, O
There s no disturbance here, thank God, and may it long continue so.
Your oath I don’t regard a pin, to, sign my committal,
O For my jury will be gintlemen to grant me an acquittal, O.

Peeler:
Let the consequence be what it will, a peeler’s power I’ll let you know,
1111 fetter you at all events and march you off to prison, O
You villain, sure you can’t deny before a judge and jury, O
That I on you found two long spears which threatened me with fury, O.

Goat:
I’m certain if you weren’t drunk with whiskey, rum or brandy,
O You would not have such gallant spunk, or be so bold and manly,
O You readily would let me pass if I’d the sterling handy,
O To treat you to a poteen glass — O, ’tis than I’d be the dandy, O.

VARIANTS: A. A collection of Ryan’s songs, The Tipperary Minstrel, gives only seven stanzas, (pp. 310-31, «a satirical poem written in 1830»).’
In their anthology The Spirit of Tipperary (pp. 71-73) T. Mac Domhnaill and P.O. Meadhra give a version «taken from the poet’s manus¬cript». The eight stanzas are in a different order (I - II - III - VI - V - IV - VII - VIII, as compared with the text above), and there is a ninth one:

Come fill us up a flowing bowl, we’ll drink a grand libation,
O And toast a health to each true son throughout this Irish nation, O!
We’ll toast O’Connell three times three, and our Association,
O May Paddy’s sons be all made free by speedy emancipation, O!
Some broadsides have: ... by speedy separation, O.

Henry Hudson gives a very different version, which he perhaps rewrote himself, in Dublin Monthly Magazine, November 184,2.
TUNE. «The Peeler and the Goat», Dublin Monthly Magazine November 1842.
NOTE: According to Hudson, this satire on the police force introduced into Ireland by Sir Robert Peel «spread like wildfire throughout the length and breadth of the land, and there was scarcely a village in the whole country, where the itinerant ballad singer did not reap a rich harvest, by shouting forth the popular song.» (Lot. cit.)
The success of the song inspired other texts:         «The Peeler and the Sow»
(set in County Cavan, the goat also appearing in that ballad) and «The Dog’s Victory on the Peeler» (set in Kilkenny), both of them very inferior to O’Ryan’s satire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 11:17 AM

GUEST,threelegsoman wrote, "I uploaded a version of "The Peeler and the Goat" about five years ago on YouTube." Indeed you did good sir. It was linked to on this thread -- 27 Mar 20 - 06:40 PM.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Peeler and the Goat
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 28 Mar 20 - 12:06 PM

One of my favourite remakes of this song is this the WW! anti-recruiting song by Seamas O' Farrell
Jim Carroll

As I was going down the road, feeling fine and larky O,
A recruiting sergeant says to me, “Now you'd look fine in khaki O.
The King he is in need of men, come read his proclamation O.
A life in Flanders for you then would be a fine vacation O.”

“That may be so,” says I to him, “but tell me sergeant dearie O,
If I had a pack stuck upon me back, do you think I'd look fine and cheery O?
You'd make me train and drill until they had me one of French's O.
It may be warm in Flanders but it's draughty in the trenches O.”

The sergeant smiled and winked his eye, his smile was most provoking O.
He twiddled and twirled his wee moustache, says he, “You're only joking O!
For the sandbags are so warm and high, the wind you won't feel blowing O.”
Well I winked at a cailin passing by, says I, “What if it's snowing O?

Come rain or hail or wind or snow, we're not going out to Flanders O.
There's fighting in Dublin to be done, let your Sergeants and your Commanders go.
Let Englishmen for England fight, 'tis just about time they started O.”
I wished the Sergeant a very good night and there and then departed O.

Robin Hall and Jimmie McGregor sing The Recruiting Sergeant
As I was walking down the street I was feeling light and larky O
When a recruiting sergeant says to me, “You'd look fine in khaki O.
For the King he is in need of men, come read this proclamation O.
And it's a life in Flanders for you then, 't will be a lovely vacation O.”

So I looked at the sergeant then says I, “Please tell me sergeant dearie O,
If I had a pack stuck upon me back would I look bright and cheerie O?
For you'd make me drill and train until you'd had me like the Frenchies O,
Oh it may be warm in Flanders but it's draughty in the trenches O.”

Then the sergeant raised his little cane and his smile was most provoking O,
And he twiddled and twirled his wee moustache, says he, “Surely you're joking O!
For the sandbags they are lovely and high and the wind you'd never feel blowing O.”
But I winked at a cailin passing by, says I, “What if it's snowing O?

“O come wind, come rain, come hail, come snow, we're not going out to Flanders O,
For there's fighting in Dublin to be done, let your Captains and Commanders go.
And let Englishmen for England fight and it's time that they get started O.”
And I gave that Sergeant a jolly good night and there and then we parted O.