I have just tried to make out the words that Paddy Rielly sings on the Dubliners' "Celebration" lp - there are a couple of words that I'm guessing at but this should be close:O people of heart, I pray pay attention.
Listen to what I'm about to relate
Concerning a couple I overheard talking
As I was returning late home from away.
As I rode along sure I saw an old woman
Who sat in the gap; she was milking her cow.
She was jigging that tune called "Make haste to the wedding"
Or some other ditty I can't tell you now.Ah the next came along it was a bold tinker
Who happened be chance to be passing that way.
The day being fine, they sat down together.
"What news of that man?" the old woman did say.
"There's no news at all, ma'am," replied the bold tinker,
"For the people all wish that he never had been.
He's a damnable rogue of a Daniel O'Connell,
And he's now making babies in Dublin by steam.""Ah, the children are ruined!" replied the old woman,
"Or has the quare fellow gone crazy at last?
Or is it the sign of a war or rebellion?
Or what is the reason he wants them so fast?"
"It's not that at all, ma'am," replied the bold tinker.
"The children of Ireland are getting too small.
It's O'Connell's petition to the new Lord Lieutenant,
And he won't let us make them the old way at all.""By this pipe in me mouth," replied the old woman,
"And that's a strong oath on me soul for to say--
For I am an old woman, and if I was near him,
I'll bet you me life that he'd rue the day.
For the people of Ireland they're very well known,
They gave him their earnings, them needing them bad,
And now that he is recompensing them for it
By taking the only diversion they had.""Long life to your courage(?)," replied the bold tinker.
"Long may you live now with youth on your side!
If all the young girls in Ireland were like you,
O'Connell could throw his steam engine aside.
If I had the young men of Ireland around me,
And girls making babies as fast as they can,
And whenever Her Majesty wanted an army,
We'll be able to send her as many as dam."Jon