Hi Jim,

Seems you're still at it, judging from your latest this week.

Your posting was the first I've been able to find of Finnigan's Ball, which I learned, I believe, from a McNulty Family record back in the late 40s. I'm grateful to get some verses filled out, and I have one that's not in your version. I'll add some corrections, including one to clear up Mike Muldoon's reputation "Spat in her face" indeed!

Here goes:

Michael Finnegan held a ball,
'Twas down in Ballymooney in the old town hall.
We drove in cabs to the festive scene,
I hired a couple but I ran between.
Oh what a gathering we had there,
What a gathering I declare.
Patsy Sullivan looked a wreck, for he had the gathering upon his neck!
At Finnegan's ball, what a night of jollity!
At Finnigan's ball, we were dancing all around.
We were strict tee-totalers, one and all,
'Till the cork came out at Finnegan's ball

Old Mrs. Mullins, three score and ten,
Hadn't had a kiss since the Lord knows when.
She bought a mask, and went to the dance,
Covered up her face, it was her only chance.
She sat out a dance with Mike Muldoon.
There upon the stair they began to spoon.
Mike spotted her face as he gave her a kiss,
And said, "Heaven help the sailors on a night like this!"
At Finnegan's ball, little Mickey Cassidy,
At Finnegan's ball, he was playing in the band.
And he stood so straight and thin and tall
That he fell through his trumpet at Finnegan's ball.

We had supper with lots to eat.
Sure and we had the finest whisky neat.
But there was trouble in store, oh dear,
For Barney Flynn drank Flannigan's beer.
Mrs. Bull had some appetite.
She ate twenty-seven buns that night.
"These buns are fine," said Mrs. Bull,
"But I couldn't eat another, for my program's full."
At Finnegan's ball, little Mrs.Rafferty.
At Finnegan's ball, got up to have a dance.
But she slipped on the stair, and had a fall,
And she broke her promise at Finnegan's ball.

Pat O'Riley and Bridget Bright,
Sat in an alcove out of sight.
What an alcove is I could not swear.
But whatever it was, they both sat there.
There they were necking till poor old Pat
Saw that she was sitting on his new hat.
"Do you know what you're sittin' on Miss?" says he.
"Well I ought to for I've sat on it for years." says she.
At Finnegan's ball...


Must confess I forget the finish of this verse. Never heard your last verse, and have been trying to figure and fit in what else fell out with Clancy's wallet.


Hope this fills in the blanks after 4 years on this thread.

Ted Curtin