That Paddy is a character and a raconteur is not in doubt. I have long suspected that he is perfectly capable of making up both a song and a story about it. It's part of the his tradition, isn't it? I have heard him sing a song that he claims is a couple hundred years old about something terrible that happens to a kosher sporran (something like that), and how likely is either the song or the story to be true?
I have also tried to fit together all the various things he tells about his personal history and make them match world history without much luck. Would the man be bending the facts for to make a good tale? It seems possible.
Also, he is up in years -- I think he says he's pushing 90 -- and the stroke a couple years back has affected his ability to remember songs and tunes.
He is a gold mine of words and tunes, and he can talk both hind legs off a donkey, this slightly built, childlike man with a cane, a bad eye and an amazing ability to do bird calls. I often find myself making excuses to get away.
I expect to be at Rainy Camp this year, too, so I'll see you all then.
Blessings,
Barbara