The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #17326   Message #167171
Posted By: Snuffy
23-Jan-00 - 02:27 PM
Thread Name: ADD: My Uncle's in the Dáil
Subject: Lyr Add: MY UNCLE'S IN THE DÁIL

I have it on a 1967 (autographed) Grehan Sisters LP called On the Galtymore Mountains. There are still bits of many songs on it that I'm not sure about. My suggestions are in bold. Take what you want and leave the rest.

MY UNCLE'S IN THE DÁIL

It was at the last election that my uncle Pat got in
He was always fond of politics and the seat I knew he'd win (*1)
He made such pretty promises to the people one and all
That's how he got elected as a member of the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And that's the very reason why nothing bothers me
My brother was made a foreman though he'd never built a wall
Yarra (*2), but then you see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Now, he's no good at learning, sure he never went to school
But that's no disadvantage in this country as a rule
He was in the county council but you know that means damn all
Yarra, but hats off to my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And that's the very reason why nothing bothers me
I've a pension for my father though he's not blind at all
Yarra, but then you see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Now, he's not fond of arguing, sure he's as quiet as a mouse
And there's no (very??) swear word up there in Leinster House
He never (acts???) with either side - Fine Gael or Fianna Fail (*3)
So long as he draws his salary as a member of the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And my sister's going to marry a minister's secretary
She met him up in Dublin in the (Graisha Matta (*5) ???) Ball
That's how they got acquainted through my uncle in the Dáil

Now, we are the finest family that ever yet was seen
We make a tidy packet from the making of poteen (*4)
It goes across the border and up to Donegal
And they drink it in the lobbies with my uncle in the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And my mother got a pension at the age of forty three
Oh we draw family allowance though we've got no kids at all
Yarra, but then you see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Notes:
1. Seat is pronounced "sate"
2. I think Yarra is an interjection (a short form of begorrah?)
3. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail were the two major political parties in Ireland (maybe still are?)
4. Poteen is moonshine liquor and "a tidy packet" is a typical old world understatement, meaning a very great deal of money.
5. That's what it sounds like to me. I've always just assumed it is a glittering occasion to which only the cream of Society are invited, like a ball at the White House or Buckingham Palace. But I really haven't a clue!

Snuffy