In Maine a Civil War major John Mead Gould composed a ditty inspired by Spanish Lady/Dublin City which celebrates a lady who ran a grog shop/brothel on the Portland waterfront in the 1860s. She called herself Kitty Kentuck but her legal name was Margaret Landrigan (1810 to 1866). I only have access to a portion of the ditty. The bawdy verses may still be out there somewhere: New words by Civil War Major John Mead Gould, circa 1863 Tune: traditional “Spanish Lady/Dublin City” A bit of rewording by Charlie Ipcar, 7/28/21 Kitty Kentuck If you goes down to Portland City At the hour of twelve at night, There you’ll see my charming Kitty, Washin’ her feet by candlelight. Chorus: Kitty, won’t you larrow, laddy, Kitty, won’t you larrow-lee; Kitty don’t be lazy or I’ll go crazy, Come to the railway and have a spree. I went down to Kitty Kentuck’s, I gets my whack* three times a day; Lay my digbats** on the table Four and six the bummers pay. (CHO) Four and six for a pound of ‘bacca; Two and six for a pound of tea; How can we poor railroad racks***, E’r come to the bush and have a spree? (CHO) * Whack is sailor slang for ration of rum ** Dingbats is also 19th century slang for money *** Racks may be slang for workers similar to referring to them as "stiffs" Cheerily, Charlie Ipcar
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