I finally located the McNulty's recording of the song that Jim Carroll posted above. At the McNulty page of The Internet Archive, it's item #28, identified as "Track 7," and the file name indicates the song title is "In Old Ballymore." The Online 78-rpm Discography Project lists a song by the McNultys called "In Ould Ballymore." In my transcription below, I use the spelling "Ballymoe" because (1) that's what it sounds like; (2) it rhymes better; (3) it makes geographical sense: although Ballymoe is in County Galway, it is just across the River Suck from County Roscommon; and (4) I found that spelling used in several online copies of the lyrics—which were unsatisfactory for other reasons, so I chose not to post them.

Click for an MP3.


IN OULD BALLYMORE / IN OLD BALLYMOE
As recorded by the McNulty Family

In the county Roscommon in hailstones and rain,
I was crossing the fields on me way to the train.
I met a cailín and says she, "Do you know
The shortest shortcut into old Ballymoe?"

Says I, "Cailín óg, who led you astray?
I think I'll go with you and show you the way."
Says she, "I'm afraid because you I don't know.
You might kiss me between here and old Ballymoe."

Says I, "Cailín óg, I've seldom been kissed."
Says she, "You poor lad, sure a lot you have missed."
Says I, "I am willing to learn, you know.
We can practice between here and old Ballymoe."

"Do you think I'd walk with you, you Mullingar rogue?
I don't like your looks or your southern(?*) brogue.
You're young and you're handsome but dear knows you're slow,
And I don't like a dead one in old Ballymoe."

Says I, "I've been noted for strength and for looks,
And me brain's no so bad, for I've mastered the books,
So if you say 'yes,' to be married we'll go,
And forever be happy in old Ballymoe."

She started to laugh till I thought she would choke.
She says, "You poor ...(?**), I'll tell you a joke.
Step out of me way, sir, for now I must go.
I've a husband and six kids in old Ballymoe."


* * *

* If the word is truly "southern," the singer seems to pronounce it as three syllables: sou-ther-in.

** I think an Irish word belongs here. Gossoon might work, but I don't think that's what she's singing.

Tom Dahill recorded this song as OLD BALLYMOE on his album "The Blackthorn Stick."

Dessie O'Halloran recorded this song as OULD BALLYMORE on his album "The Pound Road."

Micko Russell's recording appears on 2 albums: "The Very Best of the Original Legendary Irish Folk Festivals Vol. 2" and "The 2nd Irish Folk Festival on Tour, Vol. 1." On both albums, it appears in the track list as IN THE COUNTY ROSCOMMON.