I just found a copy of Jimmy’s 1986 book, which includes the lyrics to this song. They differ slightly from the version printed on the album sheet: small details like “bawl” instead of “ball” and “swang” instead of “swing” as well as the spelling of the local names Mathews (only one “t”), Hayes and Fare. I think this set of lyrics is in fact the authoritative and correct version, so I’ll post the whole song again. THE MEET WAS AT MATHEWS (the official lyrics as published in “Jimmy Crowley’s Irish Song Book (The Mercier Press, Cork, 1986) The meet was at Mathews, the boys were all there With a couple of sportsmen, including Boss Fare The hounds started trailing when Finder gave out And he gave such a bawl the hare upped in full view. With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho (With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho. The first place we met her was Hayse’s ploughed land Where Blaire from Cat Lane held the dog in his hand She passed him so spritely, he got overjoyed And he left the dog loose where McHugh got annoyed. With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho (With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho. The next place we saw her was Connor’s glen And from that to Ballea was a fine rattling spin She passed the old brake, where Drummer gave out And he kept on the trail for we knew he was true. With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho (With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho. ‘Twas in Andy’s big ploughland the hare started to dodge And she gave the big ring where our boys had to trod. She jumped on the road, swang around by Tom Brownes Jumped back on the road and she bailed out McShines. With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho (With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho. Here’s health to Timmy Meegan, that sportsman of fame Like a boy of sixteen he was wild for that game. While hunting the hounds his like seldom was seen And he rattled ‘em in to the groves of Glasheen. With me right tally-ho, sweet tally-ho (With me) Right tally, sweet tally, right tally-ho. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOJYtpjCdxw
The words (with me) in the second line of the chorus are in the recording, and were added by Joe Offer.
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