A song called "Bímis ag Ól" from Cúisle an Cheoil published by An Roinn Oideachais (Dept of Education) in Dublin, 1976 and now published by An Gum (see Cupla Focal or Litriocht). The book has 56 songs, with tunes (dot and fa-so- la) and chords and sources given. In Irish Gaelic only.

This song doesn't go to the tune I know to Bímis ag Ól, which is the one Jimmy Crowley sings, and the chorus is different. Apart from the last three words, the chorus is not translatable!
But this tune does sound familiar … the part for the verse is a bit like one of the tunes to which 'An Saighdiúr Tréighte' is sung. The source for this song in Cúisle an Cheoil was Costello, Amhráin Mhuighe Seola, a reprint of which is available from Cló Iar-Chonnachta (and no, I have not approached CIC about a commission!)

In the last verse it says "woman, I haven't drunk your sheep" but goes on to warn that before the fair is over "I will drink the price of your two shoes" – and shoes were quite a valuable commodity at the time.

BÍMIS AG ÓL

Tá lása den draoib ar mo hata
Tá mo charabhat scaoilt' ar mo scóig,
Mo pheiribhic tá 'na shipwracka
Is stroicthe atá mo chasóg

< i> Curfá (chorus)
Furaigidí rudaí furó
Furaigidí rudaí furaodaí
Is furó is bimis ag ól.

Bhéarfainnse trí ba uaim féin duit,
Is tarbh 'na dhéidh sin sa ród,
Seisreach de chapaill ar thaobh conic.
Dá mbeifeá gan glaoch go ti'n óil.

A chailleach, níor ól mé do chaora,
Níor ól mé do phunt ná do ch'róin,
Ach a chailleach sul 'bhfágfad an t-aonach,
Ólfaidh mé luach do dhá bhróg.