10 Feb 01 - 06:15 AM (#394854) Subject: ADD: Mary's Reply (to Mountains of Mourne)^^ From: Michael in Swansea Idly browsing the DT, I noticed the Mountains of Mourne listed but not Mary's reply so here it is. Same tune.
MARY'S REPLY
Dear Shamus, I've learned all your letter by heart
I told them you'd met England's King and all that
It's good of you Shamus to send me that dress
Some great things have happened, of course, since you went
Oh, Shamus, I don't want to spoil your career
Collected by Nellie Walsh for Ireland's Own magazine |
04 Jan 04 - 05:13 PM (#1085969) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply From: The Fooles Troupe refresh |
05 Jan 04 - 05:00 AM (#1086234) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply From: Dave Bryant I've heard a funny version of this where she tells him that he's a fool and debunks most of his observations. It was sung by a lady at "The Blue Anchor Folk Club", Byfleet, Surrey, UK. |
14 Jan 04 - 08:42 AM (#1092619) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply From: GUEST,grace Does anyone know who owns the copyright to the mountains of mourne |
14 Jan 04 - 10:28 AM (#1092667) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply From: GUEST,weerover "Mountains of Mourne" was written by Percy French. wr |
14 Jan 04 - 05:04 PM (#1092813) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply From: McGrath of Harlow And since Percy French died in 1920, it's got to be Public Domain. I'm sure I've heard a version of Mary's reply in which she us a bit cynically cutting about the way Shamus is paying so much attention to these London ladies who don't have any tops on their dresses. Or perhaps that's just me imagining the kind of letter I'd expect her to write in response. |
14 Jan 04 - 05:59 PM (#1092842) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply From: The Fooles Troupe Ah Mcgrath, if Dizzyland got their mits on the copyright, they own it in perputity, don't they? |
13 Apr 06 - 01:30 PM (#1717337) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply From: GUEST,donaldleiper@msn.com I got to this forum looking for Mary's Reply. The lyrics I found posted are new to me. Seems that I'm looking for the funny version which includes this verse: Your story 'bout Peter O'Laughlin's a lie, That you even would boast such it near makes me cry. He has only one stripe while O'Flynn here with me, Who is better than both of you now has got three. And a little bird told me if I'm not mistook, That O'Laughlin's in love with a FAT ENGLISH COOK! Ach but you and O'Laughlan mean nothing to me Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea. Can anyone add more? don |
13 Apr 06 - 07:39 PM (#1717632) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply (to Mts of Mourne) From: McGrath of Harlow The version Michael in Swansea posted is more in keeping with Percy French's song, with it's misture of the sardonic and the sentimental. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that he wrote that sequel himself. |
14 Apr 06 - 06:40 PM (#1718380) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply (to Mts of Mourne) From: McGrath of Harlow I meant Percy French might maybe have written the sequel. These ambiguous pronouns... |
19 Jun 08 - 04:38 PM (#2370205) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply From: Geordie-Peorgie This is a version by Alison Humphries - Gorgeous Irish lady who I met in Staines Folk Club and now resident in Canada Dear Paddy! Why thanks for your speedy reply To th letter I sent you a year last July It arrived here last night, about midnight or so For I heard a great crash from the doorstep below Where the postman had dropped in a state of collapse He'd been wandering for days with a compass and maps he's not been for so long, he'd forgotten the way And the mailbox! All cobwebs and moss and decay. Now, cerebrally-chellenged you always have been But you're right round the bend now, it's plain to be seen For only the stupidest person alive Would go 'digging for gold' on the M25 And, "they don't grow potatoes, nor barley, nor wheat" For you get them in Sainsbury's just up the street These days you get pizza, with garlic bread free Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea Well! That Danny McLaren! Where did you get him? You said that I knew him but I've never met him But Peter McLaughlin, I'll never forget. All that stuff with the sheep and the russian roulette It's a wonder they gave him that early release and to think now he's head of the London Police Well, I've sent all the details to breakfast TV... what he did by the Mournes sweeping down to the sea Now it's true, a concern I may well have expressed As to how the fine ladies in London are dressed I'm in fahion design, as you know without doubt, but accounts of your lust I can well do without. For you tell me they're topless, these girls you're befriending Well, if those are the parties that you've been attending I'll kick you from Kilburn to Donaghadee All the way down the Mournes and right into the sea. |
19 Jun 08 - 08:19 PM (#2370343) Subject: Mountains O' Mourne & Mary's Reply From: Genie weerover, to be precise, Percy French wrote the lyrics to Mountains O' Mourne. The tune is the same as that used by Thomas Moore for "Bendemeer's Stream" and I don't know if anyone knows its origin. |
24 Jun 10 - 05:45 AM (#2933808) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mary's Reply From: GUEST,John O'C And just to add to the confusion: I used to have it on an old 78 years ago, on the back side of "Mountains of Mourne", and the only line I can remember from it goes something like "sure I can't understand what's come o'er ye at all, to be watching the women half dressed at a ball. If that's the best work that you're findin' to do, then a grand place like London's not much use to you!". I will see if it still exists somewhere. but it's 30 years since i saw it at least. Also when Sedman was reminiscing he used to sing a version that went in part" O they shipped me abroad Sir and all on me own, to a terrible place called Sierra Leone. There's (something) and (something) and Chigga worms too. You don't want to know what the Chigga worms do ! (He was Cable and Wireless foreign staff post 1945) |