The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #108708   Message #2267964
Posted By: Jim Dixon
20-Feb-08 - 06:38 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: The Blue Bells of Ireland (bawdy)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Blue Bells of Ireland (bawdy)
Actually, I tried transcribing the blackletter one first, but I found several words illegible. Then I discovered there was another more legible copy, so I used that one to supply the missing words. While I was at it, I changed the capitalization, punctuation, and (in a few cases) the spelling to agree with the newer copy. I don't think I had to change any whole words.

Frankly, I didn't notice that the dates were significantly different, and I didn't insert the printer information because I didn't think anyone cared! Well, now I know. I will do that from now on.

Can anybody shed any light on the word "facks"—which I considered doubtful? I think I can tell the difference between an "f" and an "s" and this sure looks like an "f"—and anyway, "sacks" wouldn't make any more sense in this context than "facks".

As for "tester"—the American Heritage Dictionary online says:

Tester(3) – see teston (2).

Teston: 2. An English coin stamped with the image of Henry VIII's head. In this sense, also called tester(3).