This is my attempt at transcribing The peelers of Ballinamore from the Irish Songs from Old New England CD. I have put in parentheses bits I'm not content with which of course does not mean that all other lines are correct. Corrections are invited.
Wolfgang
The Peelers of Ballinamore
Oh, Tim Daly's me name, from Leinster I came
to the sweet Co. Leitrim I fortuned to try
to earn a living by cheerfully singing
the praises of Erin and I will 'til I die.
I was always as willing for to spend a shilling
as any man living 'round the Irish shore
and I ne'er was molested by police or peelers
until I arrived in Ballinamore.
Til lara til lara til lalte tol lara
til lara til lara til lalte tol day (or any other spelling of the lilting)
It happened one evening when market was over
'twas into an alehouse I chance for to pump.
I rapped on the counter and called for the waiter
to bring me a glass of the best in the (shump).
She showed me a room where there was a big table
I called for good liquor and drank in galore
and whenever the waiter she chanced to delay me
I kept meself cheered by the verse of the song:
Til lara til lara til lalte tol lara
til lara til lara til lalte tol day
That evening I spent with no cause to repent
while drinking of liquor that was pure and strong
and I cared not a damn for those (pulpit/purpit) or peelers
that watched all the tobers* of Ballinamore.
On my going home great was my misfortune
my heart being merry and free from all care
just as I was passing by the peelers barracks
they rushed out like hellhounds and collared me there.
Til lara til lara til lalte tol lara
til lara til lara til lalte tol day
"If you haven't a crown for to lay it down
I fear for your drinking you will suffer sore
don't you know that the peelers (has gone toleration)
to watch all the tobers of Ballinamore."
The seargent he came with tow or three others
they marched me a prisoner straightway through the town
and you'd think (having) killed all their fathers and mothers
and thumped to overturn the crown.
Til lara til lara til lalte tol lara
til lara til lara til lalte tol day
Oh, they marched me along by the verse of me song
and is in prison strong they did me secure.
I had nothing to cheer me nor friends to come near me
I lay like a dog with a wisp on the floor.
I lay meself down for to take a slumber
but when I awoke sure me sights they were sore
which cause me to curse (young Briggs and his large ants/lurchins)
and likewise the peelers of Ballinamore.
Til lara til lara til lalte tol lara
til lara til lara til lalte tol day
Long life to the chief, he did liberate me,
to hold me for drinking he thought it not fair
since peelers and parsons and preachers and doctors
they all take a drop for the bonny (shtol care).
Now I (lame/laying Sir maiden) 'round this Irish nation
each jailhouse and taverns I chance for a roar
and I'll toast to the membeers, those lads and the lassies
that dance 'round the borders of Ballinamore.
Til lara til lara til lalte tol lara
til lara til lara til lalte tol day
*tober: person inclined to pick a fight and win it
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