Lyr Req: Crolly Doll

Subject: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: forty two
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 10:30 AM

Someone has just written to me with a request for lyrics. Can't say I have ever heard the song but thought that this was a good a place as any to try. The reques is as follows

"We have been trying to find a song that we thought was performed by Bridie Gallagher about a Crolly doll. The first line starts, 'One time and I wanted a nice Crolly doll, oh you know where they make'm in West Donnegal'..."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 11:04 AM

So far, this is all I've found.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: forty two
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 11:33 AM

Sorcha thanks, I's sure something else will crop up too

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 21 May 04 - 10:57 PM

No joy on the lyrics, but I did find out what a "Crolly doll" is, according to this site anyway.

Lin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: GUEST
Date: 22 May 04 - 10:06 AM

Crolly Dolls
are still being made in West Donegal, but not in the village of Crolly. Now they're made in Annagry. They might be able to help you find the song lyrics if you email them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 May 04 - 01:42 PM

Looks like the Crolly doll has come up in the world. The older ones, according to the post by Lin, were composition; the plant making them now is doing them in fired clay, some cheaper ones in vinyl. All are over $100 US (96 to 118 Euros).

History of originals here" Crolly

Nothing in Kane and Fowke. Since the dolls only date from 1939, nothing in my rhyme books.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: MartinRyan
Date: 22 May 04 - 02:11 PM

There's a song called "The Crolly Dolly" in the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin (sheet music). Dating from 1950's, it may be the one. I'll check when I get a chance.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 May 04 - 03:11 PM

I'm coming up empty on this one. I can't even find a biography or discography of Bridie Gallagher. Anyone know, is she still living?

I have found some mentions of "Birdie" Gallagher, but I assume that's a misspelling.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 04 - 04:40 PM

Bridie Gallagher "The Girl from Donegal" was an Irish singer popular in the 1950s & 60s, who (I think) originally recorded the song. She was more of a singer in the Irish popular and country music vein, than the traditional music vein, but she sang both kinds of songs.

Musicians like Paul Brady (who has Donegal connections) covered her songs like "The Homes of Donegal" and "Hills of Donegal" and "When Will You Marry Me Johnny". She recorded for Beltona Records (Jimmy Shand's original label) when they shifted their emphasis from Scottish to Irish material in the 1950s.

Bridie became popular around the same time the doll did, and they were both from Donegal, which is why I'm thinking the makers wanted her to record the song. I can't recall now if it was used for promotion of the doll or if it was just another one of those tear jerk sorts of ballad songs in the vein of her "The Two Orphans" song of the day, as I'm not remembering the tune at all, much less the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: MartinRyan
Date: 23 May 04 - 05:43 PM

I'll be in DUblin this week and will check the ITMA reference.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: MartinRyan
Date: 28 May 04 - 10:07 AM

Got a copy of the lyrics, which I'll scan/transcribe when I get a chance. No sign of the music. There are a few old recordings arouond.

Regards

Subject: Lyr Add: THE CROLLY DOLL (Sean MacBride)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 07:18 AM

The Crolly Doll
(By Sean Mac Bride)

One time and I wanted a nice Crolly Doll,
O, you know where they make them in west Donegal
No finer or better you'd get anywhere
With the best that there is, Crolly dolls can compare
Well I dressed myself up and I started away
I tell you my lads, I'll remember yon day.
The bus rolls along, very soon we were down
Where they're all making dolls down in Crolly's wee town

I say's "Where's the dolls?" to a man at his door
And he says "Me brave buachaill, come in on the floor".
Yes I was a stranger and they took me in
And six dolls I found there, some fat and some thin.
Man! They looked at me there with their big eyes so bright
"I think" says their ma, "we would suit you alright"
"O, bedad" says their father "no bother at all
If all that he wants is a nice Crolly doll."

A wee bit alarmed, I said "You've got me wrong
Sure I didn't think your dolls were so big and so strong.
Sure I thought your dollies were small, nice and neat"
Oh these words simply left me no way of retreat.
For up jumped wee Maggie and stood by my side
Oh, it's me that you're wanting, sure I'll be your bride."
And they wouldn't take no for an answer at all
And that's how I got her, my own Crolly doll.

The wedding soon over, one wonderful day,
The myself and wee Maggie we started away
And now she is running myself and my house
But I tell you, my lads, that she leave's me no grouse.
For she is the dolly with jizz in her toes
What she couldn't do , och, the Lord only knows
So now my brave buachaill, have no fear at all
Go yonder – they'll find you a nice Crolly Doll!


Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Crolly Doll
From: GUEST,Eddie
Date: 22 Mar 13 - 02:30 PM

One time when I wanted a wee Crolly Doll
Sure you where they make them in the west Donegal.
No finer nor better you'll get anywhere
And the best that you'd get, Crolly dolls can compare.