The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #110977   Message #3536953
Posted By: Jim Carroll
13-Jul-13 - 07:10 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: McNulty Family songs
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: McNulty Family songs
Missing from the list of their songs is (possibly) 'Old Ballymoe' - recorded by them and probably written by Annie NcNulty.
This is the version we recorded from Wexford Traveller 'Pop's' Johnny Connors.


County Roscommon In Hailstones And Rain.   (Roud 10687)
Rec from "Pop's" Johnny Connors

Well, in the county Roscommon there's hailstones and rain.
I was crossing the fields on my way to the train.
I met this colleen, and says she, do you know
Ah, the shortest short cut out to old Ballymow.

Says I, Colleen oh, who led you astray.
I think I'll walk with you, I'll show you the way.
But says she, I'm afraid, because you I don't know,
You might court me between here and old Ballymow.

Says I, colleen oh, I've seldom been kissed.
Ah, for luck you poor lad, for a lot you had missed.
Dear knows you're willing, and god knows your slow,
We can practise between here and ould Ballymow.

(dowdled verse).
      
Do you think I'd walk with you, ye Mullingar rogue,
I don't like your looks or your suitable brogue.
Ah but if you say yes, to be married we'll go,
And forever live happy in old Ballymow.

Do you think I' d walk with you, you Mullingar rogue,
I don't like your looks nor your suitable brogue.
But you're young, and you're handsome, but dear knows you're slow.
But we don't want no dead men round old Ballymow.

She started to laugh till I thought she would choke,
Step out of me way, let me pass you a joke.
Step out of me way, for 'tis now I must go,
Sure, I've a husband and twenty-eight kids in old Ballymow.

This was first issued on a gramophone record sung by The McNulty Family in 1940.   According to traditional music archivist Nicholas Carolan, it was possibly written by Mrs Ann McNulty, though he says there is no firm evidence for this.
"Pop's" Johnny says he learned it from other Travellers, but admits he was aware of the McNulty Family's recording.