I have a recording of Fiollegean (also known as Fiollagan) on a compilation CD featuring songs and instrumentals by uncredited Irish performers. This particular song is alow-paced, perhaps a worksong/sea chantey.

The men sound as if they are in a large hall, not a recording studio, singing without instrumentation and keeping time by foot stomp, done slowly. The song is sung half in English and half in Gaelic (the chorus I think), with singers taking turns. The sound is so poor that I can barely make out even the English portion.

Frustrated, I took a chance and went on Yahoo! Answers. I received this reply today. The words are somewhat similar to what I can make out, but the ending still is missing. I plan to work with these lyrics and the recording to see what I can come up with. These are what were provided, and I have requested the source:

FIOLLAGAN aka FIOLLEGEAN

We thought you were a big jobber whose pockets with gold,
A jingle but then we spied yer auld pack,
Yer only the cut of a vagabond sailor.

When the sea rose up in mountains toss her right over,
I asked o the skipper, what go down below,
And ye leave the wheel tae Fiollagan.

Even though he was a [ ? ],
He would do everyman's job for him,
He could plant herbs in the garden,
He could plant kale and cabbages

He bought a white house in [ ? ],
To the height of the mountain,
The stars and the [ ? ] were crooked,
Likewise the bedroom.

Some of the party were coarse,
And some were well-bred and respectable,
Drinking MacEwan's strong ale.

I think the next line is "Brought out the Devil in Fiollegean/Fiollagan." But, I think there's a stanza after that. I also think there's a chorus between, sung in Gaelic, menioning his name. At least these lyrics are fairly close to what I have; I'll have to double check when I locate the CD among all my others.

Perhaps I'll go back to Y/A with the lyrics and see where they take me from there since it's international.

I would appreciate any further input on this. I'd love to be able to communicate the melody at least. Maybe I can play it on my bowed psaltery and try writing it down by trial and error. I can read music, but I always have a little difficulty transcribing.