This song was recorded on a HMV 78 record in about 1938 by Sandy Carrette (Alias Sandy Carr) with my father, Michael O'Leary, accompanying him on guitar. Sandy was a bank official in the Bank of Ireland, Borris, Co. Carlow - hence the reference to Borris in the words. Sandy didn't use his full name because he was worried that he'd get into trouble with his employers. on the reverse side Jim Jordan from Bagenalstown (Muine Beag)sang 'The Irish Rover' with my father on guitar. My father once told me that record was once advertised on the front page of the Irish Independent with a drawing of a ship called 'The Irish Rover' sinking.
The record sold very well and HMV wanted them to go over to London to record a whole collection of songs. However in the meantime the Second World War broke out and the project had to be scrubbed.
Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the record as it 'mysteriously' disappeared from our house many years ago before my mother died. However I well remember every verse and here it is


ONE DAY IN KILKENNY

One day in Kilkenny I called on Miss Brown.
She was up in her bath and she couldn't come down.
Says I 'Slip on something and come down quick',
So she slipped on the soap and came down in a tick.

Chorus
Tour-a-loo, toor-a-lay.
For the queen of society lives down our way.

I went to the market to buy a wee hen.
I thought I might like a wee egg now and then.
I woke up in the morning and I got a great shock.
Says the hen 'I can't lay for begobs I'm a cock!'

One day I was walking down the main street.
I met a wee lad with no shoes on his feet.
I took pity on him and right then and there
I went into a fruit shop and I bought him a pear.

I dreamt I did die and to Heaven did go.
The place that I came from they wanted to know.
Says I 'I'm from Borris'. Saint Peter did stare.
'Hurry up, step inside, you're the first one from there!'

I hope you enjoy it. I would love to hear from anyone who has a copy of the record from which they would be prepared to give me a recording.
Peter O'Leary poleary@eircom.net