Lyr Add: The Tinker Nancy Miles

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TINKER NANCY MILES
From: Brack&
Date: 10 Dec 98 - 10:37 PM

Does anyone know who wrote this tinker song, as done by Ray Lynham, and how old it is?

Regards Mick Bracken

Nancy was a tinker girl, roamed the country roads
And I will tell you how she came to be a legend in her time
The reason I have come to know, 'cause a tinker told me so
Who's there could better know, the tale of Nancy Miles

Nancy's father Tinker Dan, was a proud but honest man
Drove a horse drawn caravan, all through the Emerald Isle
And when Nancy was no more a child, Dan he didn't have to toil
Men would come from far and wide, to play for Nancy Miles

There's pretty girls in magazines, and movie stars and beauty queens
Nancy was the prettiest girl, a man could ever see
The gleam of love was in her eyes, and when she'd look at you and smile
'Twould make you feel that you were just the man she longed to see

Before the age of twenty-one, a hundred men had come and gone
None of them could win the gleam of love that was in her eyes
Then sure every man who loved her then, never was the same again
His memory was haunted, with thoughts of Nancy Miles

In every town and village too, the fame of Nancy grew and grew
Soon her name was spoken, at many a camp fireside
And in Ballinasloe, on Horse Fair Day, when tinker men would have their say
Many a fight was fought to win the coat of Nancy Miles

I hope that you don't get me wrong, 'cause Nancy was the sweetest one
Heart so full of kindness, and as charming as her smile
And she was known throughout the land, as queen of all the tinker clan
Was the dream of many a man, to marry Nancy Miles

Before the age of thirty-one, a thousand men had come and gone
None of them could win the gleam of love that was in her eyes
Then sure every man who loved her then, never was the same again
His memory was haunted, with thoughts of Nancy Miles

Then there came the saddest day, Nancy's father passed away
The loss it grieved her badly, for he was her only pride
And family friends and courtin' men, never saw her smile again
A change had taken place within the heart of Nancy Miles

Before the age of forty-one, Nancy she had come and gone
They searched the county over, not a trace of her could find
Oh but Nancy's memory will live on, as long as tinker men are born
Proudly they will sing this song, the tinker Nancy Miles

Subject: RE: The Tinker Nancy Miles
From: DonMeixner
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 12:34 AM

Nancy Miles is fairly recent. I've seen it in one of the four books of songs currently popular in Ireland. The books have colored covers, green white orange and red maybe, publishe by Ossian. I think it is also in The Foster and Allen Song Book.

Don

Subject: RE: The Tinker Nancy Miles
From: Big Mick
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 12:54 AM

Great song, Brack. The lads and I have just added it to our repertoire. It is great for a whistle to add color to.

All the best,

Mick \

Subject: RE: The Tinker Nancy Miles
From: Martin Ryan.
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 04:00 AM

It was written relatively recently by a man who lives in Moate - about 8 miles from Athlone, where I live. Name escapes me for the moment. Strong song.

Regards

Subject: RE: The Tinker Nancy Miles
From: Paddy
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 07:26 AM

The guys name is Sheerin (Kevin I think)

Used to play with Ray Lynam and the boys

Paddy

Subject: RE: The Tinker Nancy Miles
From: Martin Ryan.
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 07:39 AM

Paddy

That sounds right!

Regards

p.s. Was it the Holmfirth Tradition (??) who did an interesting version of this, with a none-too-subtle hint as to its real meaning?

Subject: RE: The Tinker Nancy Miles
From: Brack&
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 08:18 AM

Thanks for that, lads.

Mick Bracken

Subject: RE: The Tinker Nancy Miles
From: karen k
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 09:26 PM

Sounds like a great song. Where can I find the tune?

Thanks