The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #71083 Message #1216014
Posted By: Joe Offer
29-Jun-04 - 03:27 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Moses Ri-Tooral-I-Ay
Subject: RE: Origins: Moses Ri-Tooral-I-Ay
The Lomax/Margaret Barry recording is similar to the lyrics Martin Ryan posted, but there are some differences. This is a difficult one to transcribe - Here's what I hear:
Moses Ritoora-li-ay
Oh, the bobby have done like a hen on a cleeve
And visions came on of a "V" on his sleeve
"Promotion", he whispered, "I'll try for today
So, come with me, Moses Ritoorali-ooral-i-ay"
The bobby marched on, he was lord of the town
He suddenly stopped with a snort and a frown
"Promotion", he whispered, "I'll try for today
So, come with me, Moses Ritoorali-ooral-i-ay"
"Come tell me your name", said the limb of the law
To the little fat man settling delph in the straw
"What's that? My name sir? 'tis here on the dray
And it's Moses Ritoorali-ooral-i-ay"
Well the trial came on and it lasted a week
One judge said 'twas German, another 'twas Greek
"Prove her Irish," said Pether (?) beyond yea or nea (?)
"And he sees on it (?) Moses Ritoorali-ooral-i-ay"
Then he turned to the prisoner, as stiff as a crutch
"Are you Irish or English or German or Dutch?"
"I'm a Jew, sir, I'm a Jew, sir, that came over to stay
And my name it is Moses Ritoorali-oorali-ay"
There's a sorrowful scavenger sweeps on the street
He once was a peeler, the pride of his beat
He moans all the night and he groans all the day
Singing Moses Ritoorali-oorali-ay