Yes, Mysha and pattyClink both: I think either Nov or Dec could equally be accepted (and I find "November" easier to sing; perhaps the conjunction of "Bleeek" and "Deeecember" is the reason). I wouldn't go along with the "three original verses" theory, though; I suspect you're not entirely serious? In still practising and considering, I wondered if - in dramatic terms - we could imagine the father wishing at first to leave the son with only the brief explanation, but then going on to recall "what a dreadful sight.." &C, partly to himself almost (tho' of course he does refer to "Your mother dear..."). This would allow a more "internalised" presentation of the subsequent verses, before he turns to the son again with "you were only two years old...". As I mentioned, I prefer a reflective approach, being well aware not only of the danger of gnawing away at the scenery but even of the real danger of "emotion recollected in tranquillity" leading to a break in the voice - it can happen - and restraint tends to be more characteristic of the Irish style. But there's a certain satisfaction, at the mention of "the Queen" (the whole British social structure, the "Stranger", the crystallisation of centuries of oppression in this one mention of the Crown), in almost spitting the word "That". Sorry to go on so; I've been really taken by this discovery, and look forward to further bibliographic details.
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