The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #14602 Message #721295
Posted By: GUEST,Philippa
01-Jun-02 - 07:26 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Daniel O'Connell and His Steam Engine
Subject: Lyr Add: Babies By Steam no 2
I CROSSED OVER A GAP...
I crossed over the mor and I met an old woman She sat in a gap and her milking her cow The song that she sung was the Buachaillín Donn Or some other ditty that I won't tell you now.
I wasn't too long discoursing this woman When up steps a tinker, stout, jolly and gay He sat down to rest as the weather was warm "What news, decent man?" this auld woman did say.
'No news at all,' replied the bold tinker. 'But news and I wish that it never had been Concerning a man they call Daniel O'Connell Who's now getting children in Dublin by steam.'
'M'anam an diabhail,'[my soul to the devil] replied this old woman. 'Or can it be true is he crazy at last, Or is it a sign of war or rebellion Or what is the reason they are coming so fast?'
'It's neither a sign of war or rebellion But the children of Ireland was getting so small He's going to petition the Lord Mayor of Dublin To stop them from getting them the old way at all.'
'By the pipe in my jaw,' replied the old woman. 'But he is a rogue, and I am very sure He's always contriving, both plotting and scheming And leaving out plans for to plunder the poor.
'I am an old hag over four score and ten Damn the tooth in my head, sure its plain to be seen, I'd wager you a guinea if a rogue would provoke me I'd get better childer than him and his steam.'
'Well here's to your courage,' replied the old tinker, 'and long may you reign with the youth at your side If more of the old damsels in Ireland was like you O'Connell might throw his steam engine aside.'
The girls of Ireland was getting so saucy If you'd venture to catch them they scratch out your eye But now they may go and sit down in the corner And no one to pray for their souls when they die.
song reference # Ca 1 included in Ríonach Uí Ógáin. "An Rí Gan Choróin" Dublin: An Clóchomhar Tta., 1984.