Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)

Subject: The Mero
From: Lidi
Date: 17 Jul 97 - 02:46 AM

does anyone know the lyrics to "The Mero" performed by Dubliners?

Subject: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Henrik
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 04:34 AM

Years ago I heard a song called "The Mero" on some old
Dubliners tape. I have since tried to find the lyrics,
but without luck. I trust however, that this is no match
for the combined knowledge of the Mudcatters... :-) I
think the song was written by Pete St.John, but I'm not
sure.

TIA

Henrik

Oh, and if anyone has the melody as an ABC file...lots
and lots of bonus points!

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 04:38 AM

Can you tell us more about it, Henrik? It's not Nova Scotia's Song for the Mira, is it?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Wolfgang
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 04:53 AM

No, they are two different songs, but I can't help with the lyrics.

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MERO (draft)
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 08:02 AM

Hi Joe,

What's wrong with you? It took you 4 minutes to answer with a link to the wrong song?!? ;-)

Well, I don't want to show off ALL the time (grin)
-Joe Offer-

Hi Henrik

here comes The Mero
as performed by The Dubliners on their 20 Greatest Hits album
and as far as I understand it from listening to the recording.
There are lots of unclear passages, marked with (???)

The Mero
Somebody under the bed - whoever can it be?
I feel so very nervous I call for Joannie
Joannie lights the candle but there's nobody there
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out comes she

Skipping ropes till turning, children at their play
In and out of Cardnance (???) Street, in and out to pray
I haven't prayed for twenty years, our song's a happy song
Since praying went with innocence, and the Devil played along

And we all went up in the Mero, hey there who's your man
It's only Johnny for he comes (???) for he's a desperate man
Bangbang shoots the buzzards with his golden key
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes she

My father was a stater and my mother loved a tan
She loved her ham and her sausages and a soldier fancy man
Nora's up in Jacob's (???) and Mary's on of town
And I joined the transport union when they said me known as brown (???)

And we all went up in the Mero, hey there who's your man
It's all be putting up working to meet (???) a decent man
Bangbang shoots the buzzards with his golden key
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes she

I've a tanner for the Mero, and me come from (???) on his head
If Mary's in the fathany (???) way she can blame the Sisko kid
I belong hers (???) in the morning my longers (???) need a patch
Oh Jesus, there conmarten (???) I hope you's (???) win the match

My uncle had a wolfhound that never had to pee
But hey lemon (???) snatched it down on Eden key
Now I have my primo (???), my scabbelers (???) are blue
For helping the black babies and Dolly Fogher (???), too

And we all went up in the Mero, hey there who's your man
Spending being out walking did you hear (???) the ginger man
Bangbang shoots the buzzards with his golden key
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes she

It's true that Dublin's changing since the pillar was blown down
By the winds of violence that are buggerton (???) up the town
We used to sole by (???) difference but we're digging much in a jar
But now they're all playing bangbang that's going to bleeding far (???)

And we all go up in the Mero, hey there, who's your man
It's only my guardian angel get alert for freer (???) man
There's no use bleeding Russians (???) sure now it's the holy hour
A cleanery (???) indulgence and another baby power

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: MMario
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 08:56 AM

Reading this through - here are my uneducated guesses at some of the unclear passages....

"fathany"= family --as in "family way"

"buggerton" = buggerin' up the town

"cleanary" = plenary indulgance

MMario

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 04:48 PM

A brave effort at deciphering a Dubliner! I don't have the words but will have a go at eliminating some of the ????!

Regards

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 06:15 PM

Right - here's a first pass:

2.1 : Skipping ropes still turning, children at their play
2.2. In and out of Clarendon Street, in and out to play

3.2 It's only Johnny Forty Coats for he's a desperate man
3.2. Bang-bang shoots the busses with his golden key(???)

4.3 Nora's up inm Jacob's and Mary's on the town
4.4. ????

6.2 ..in the family way,,, she can blame the Cisco Kid
6.3. I be langers in the morning…..????
6.4. Oh Jesus there's Con Martin - I hope ye's win the match!

7.2 But Hairy Lemon snatched it, down on Eden Quay
7.3 Now I have my promo, my scapulars are blue
7.4 For helping the black babies and Dolly Fosset too

9.2 … are buggering up the town…

10.4 A plenary indulgence

Notes: 1. Bang-bang, Johnny Forty Coats and Hairy Lemon were all famous Dublin "characters" i.e. harmless eccentrics (NOI!)
2. Clarendon (pronounced as two syllables) Street is the locatioin of a well known church.

3. Jacob's was a biscuit factory in inner city Dublin.
4. The "Mero" was a cinema,.
5. Con Martin played soccer for Ireland!
6. "langers" means "drunk" in Dublin slang . (BTW - why?)
7. Eden Quay is near Sir John Rogerson's Quay (Are you there , Liam's Brother?)
8. Dolly Fosset ran a whorehouse on the North side of Dublin.
9. The "primo" was the "Primary Certificate" - given to children who completed a test at the end of elementary school.
10. The Gingerman is another story!
11. Powers distillery was in Dublin. A "baby Power" is a small bottle of their excellent whiskey

That's enough to be going on with. If someone tidies up the lyrics, we can try filling the remaining gaps.

Regards

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 06:29 PM

Sorry about the typos in the above:

!"in Jacob's"
"primo"

Regards

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MERO
From:
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 02:46 PM

Brilliant! Thanks go out to all of you. And Martin: Your notes on the characters, places etc. are simply amazing, invaluable. I knew what a "baby Power" is, but the rest I would never have guessed.

...and the power of the Mudcat seems to be endless: I just stumbled over an old Dubliners tape in a box I haven't opened for years - and "The Mero" is on that tape! So, I'll try to write down the music as well and post it here later. For the time being, I've just tidied up the results of the previous posts and - using my rediscovered tape - corrected a few mistakes (but there are still a few "unknowns" in the equation.

The Mero

Somebody under the bed - whoever can it be?
I feel so very nervous, I call for Joannie
Joannie lights the candle, but there's nobody there
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes she

Skipping ropes still turning, children at their play
In and out of Clarendon Street, in and out to pray
I haven't prayed for twenty years, or sung a happy song
Since praying went with innocence, and the Devil played along

And we all went up at the Mero, hey there, who is your man?
It's only Johnny Forty Coats, for he's a desperate man
Bang-bang shoots the busses with his golden key
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes he

My father was a stater and my mother loved a tan
She loved her ham and her sausages and her soldier fancy man
Nora's up in Jacob's and Mary's on the town
And I joined the transport union, when they said me nose(?) was brown

And we all went up to the Mero, hey there, who is your man?
It's Alby(???) puttin' out walking, sure he's a decent man
Bang-bang shoots the busses with his golden key
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes he

I've a tenner for the Mero, and me compo confo money's head(???)
If Mary's in the family way she can blame the Cisco Kid
I be langers in the morning my longers (???) need a patch
Oh Jesus, there's Con Martin, I hope youse win the match!

My uncle had a wolfhound that never had to pee
But Hairy Lemon snatched it down on Eden Quay
Now I have my primo, my scapulars are blue
For helping the black babies and Dolly Fosset too.

And we all went up to the Mero, hey there, who is your man?
Spending (???) being out walking, sure he's The Gingerman
Bang-bang shoots the busses with his golden key
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes she

It's true that Dublin's changing since the pillar was blown down
By the winds of violence that are buggering up the town
We used to solve a difference by a digging match and a jar
But now they're all playing bang-bang - that's going too bleeding far

And we all go up to the Mero, hey there, who is your man?
It's only my guardian angel - get a large one for your man
There's no use bleeding rushing, sure now it's the Holy hour
A plenary indulgence and another baby Power.

Cheers

Henrik

P.S. Martin: tell us more about the The Gingerman!

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Henrik
Date: 24 Apr 99 - 06:04 AM

Regarding the sixth verse:

"compo money's head" might be "compo money's hid"?

"my longers need a patch" - is longers slang for trousers?

Cheers,

Henrik

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Martin Ryan
Date: 24 Apr 99 - 02:19 PM

Henrik

Right on both, I suspect! "longers" is indeed kids slang for their first long trousers. Hidden compo (compensation) has a good plausible ring to it. I may get a chance to look up the words over the next few days.

The "gingerman" was an American ex-GI who studied (if that's the word I'm looking for) at Trinity College Dublin around 1950. His real name was Ganor Crist - or thereabouts.The author JP Donleavy wrote a notorious book based on his life and times, under the title "The Gingerman".

Regards

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MERO (Pete St. John)^^
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 May 00 - 03:35 AM

So, do we have an agreed-upon set of lyrics for this song, so it can be harvested for the database?
Does this (click) meet with everyone's approval? (lyrics posted below)
-Joe Offer-

---

THE MERO
(Pete St. John)

Somebody under the bed
Whoever can it be?
I feel so very nervous
I call for Joanee
Joanee lights the candle
But there's nobody there
Hey! Hi! Diddeleedai
And out goes she

Skipping rope still turning
Children at their play
In and out of Clarendon Street
In and out to pray
I haven't prayed for twenty years
Or sung a happy song
Since praying went with innocence
And the devil played along

And we all went up to the Mero
Hey there! Who's your man?
It's only 'Johnny Forty Coats'
Sure he's a desperate man
'Bang Bang' shoots the buses
With his golden key
Hey! Hi! Diddeleedai
And out goes she

Me father was a stater
And me mother loved a tan
She loved her Hafner's sausages
And her soldier fancy man
Noel's up in Jacob's
And Mary's on the town
And I joined the transport union
When they said my nose was brown

And we all went up to the Mero
Hey there! Who's your man
It's Alfie Byrne out walking
Sure he's a decent man
'Bang Bang' shoots the buses
With his golden key
Hey! Hi! Diddeleedai
And out goes she

I've a tanner for the Mero
And me confo money's hid
If Mary's in the family way
She can blame the Cisco kid
I'll be langers in the morning
Me longers need a patch
Ah, Jesus! There's lone' Martin
I hope he's won the match

Me uncle had a wolfhound
That never had to pee
But 'Hairy Lemon' snatched it
Down on Eden quay
Now I have me primo
And me scapulars are blue
For helping the black babies
And Dolly Fossett too

And we all went up to the Mero
Hey there! Who's your man?
It's Brendan Behan out walking
Sure he's a ginger man
'Bang Bang' shoots the buses
With his golden key
Hey! Hi! Diddeleedai
And out goes she

It's true that Dublin's changing
Since the pillar was blown down
By the winds of violence
That are buggering up the town
We used to solve a difference
With a digging match and a jar
But now they're all playing bang-bang
That's going too bleeding far

And we all go up to the Mero
Hey there! Who's your man?
It's only me guardian angel
Get a large one for your man
There's no use blamin' Russia
Sure now it's the holy hour
A plenary indulgence
And another baby power

---

Check out Dubliners sites Here (click) and here (click); and also take a look at the Irish Folk Song Lyrics Archive.
-Joe Offer- ^^

See the Wikipedia article on Thomas "Bang Bang" Dudley, a Dublin street character. "Johnny Forty Coats" was another Dublin street character. "Hairy Lemon" the dogcatcher,another street character, had a pub named after him, www.thehairylemon.ie.

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 21 May 00 - 07:07 PM

Looks fine Joe - just make that "Hairy Lemon" rather than Harry! OK - change made.

Regards

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: MartinRyan
Date: 22 May 00 - 08:27 AM

And now that I think of it: "confo-money" rather than "compo". It's slang for "Confirmation money" - doubt if I need to explain that to you, Joe! OK - change made.

"If Mary's in the family way..." makes more sense. OK - change made.

Finally, the "tan" referred to is a "Black and Tan", the notorious auxiliaries to the British Army during the War of Independence.

Regards

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: MartinRyan
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 01:46 PM

"Alfie Byrne" was a famous Lord Mayor of Dublin, BTW.

Regards ^^

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 23 Jul 00 - 07:49 AM

Thanks for your help - Seems I started something with this request!!! I have learnt not only the lyrics, but also a lot about the background to them, and about Dublin's "Culture"(???!!!) I'd be very happy to see the agreed lyrics added to the database.

Regards to all, Steve.

Subject: Tune Add: THE MERO (Pete St. John)^^
From: Henrik W.
Date: 24 Jul 00 - 03:01 PM

With only just over a year's delay I finally managed
to write down the tune in ABC format! Oh, and I think
it should be "I've a _tenner_ for The Mero".

Regarding the ABC: There are three variants of the
tune (denoted as part A, B and C), played in the order
ABABABBABC.

X:1
T:The Mero
R:hornpipe
C:Pete St.John
A:Dublin
D:The Dubliners - "Together Again"
D:The Dubliners - "20 Greatest Hits"
O:Ireland
Z:Transcription & chords by Henrik Widell
P:ABABABBABC
M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=120
K:Am
P:A
A|"Am"AA (3AAB c c3|"G"BB (3ccB "Am"A3d|
"Am"ee ed e A2 B|"C"cc "D"dd "E"e3 d|
"Am"ee ed e A2 B|"C"cc "D"dd "E"e4|
"Am"e2 e2 "G"(3ddd dd|"Am"e A3 A3||
P:B
A|"Am"AA AB c c2 c|"G"BBcB"Am"A3e|
"Am"ee ed e A2 B|"C"cc "D"dd "E"e3 d|
"Am"ee ed e A2 B|"C"cc "D"dd "E"e3 d|
"Am"ee ed eA AB|"C"cc "G"BG "Am"A3||
P:C
A/2A/2|"Am"AA (3AAB c c3|"G"BB (3ccB "Am"A3d|
"Am"(3eee ed e A2 B/2B/2|"C"cc "D"dd "E"e3 d|
"Am"ee ed e A2 B|"C"cc "D"dd "E"e3 d|
"Am"ee ed eA AB|"C"cc "G"BG "Am"A3|]

Henrik

P.S. "R:hornpipe" does not mean the tune is a hornpipe
as such - but ABCMUS playback is best with this setting!
^^

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: MartinRyan
Date: 25 Jul 00 - 09:41 AM

"tanner" is /was Dublin slang for sixpence.

Regards ^^

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 08:17 PM

This thread passed me by. Interesting posts.

"Tanner" had the same meaning throughout UK too, pre-decimalising of the currency. For many years the two countries had closely matched coinage.

Don't think I've seen it mentioned above, and it may not be obvious to all, that "stater" was an established contraction for "Free Stater" - ie someone who was prepared to accept the treaty that partitioned Ireland, creating the Irish Free State (and Northern Ireland). Republicans believed the Free Staters had sold out, and rebelled under De Valera's leadership in what became the Irish Civil War. ^^

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Aug 00 - 04:46 AM

Verse 7: In my (Liverpool Catholic)primary school we were encouraged to bring in money for the 'black babies' i.e. the African Missions. I remember colouring in little pictures of African children; the more money, the more pictures you could colour in.

Noreen

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Sep 00 - 07:34 PM

Copied from another thread
-Joe Offer-

---

Subject: Info Req: The Mero
From: Fedele
Date: 30-Sep-00 - 06:54 PM

Well, thanks to the Mudcat I found the lyrics to Dubliner's "The Mero".
Yes, but.... I DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING! Can anyone explain me the song? (Or is there any lovely people who can translate it to Italian)?
Thank you in advance. Oh, and take a look at www.thedubliners.myweb.nl/index.html (I will learn how to make Blue Clicky Things some day. I swear it.)

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: GUEST,Fedele
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 11:23 AM

Sorry sorry sorry really sorry. Still have problems when searching: you know, we still PAY for being connected in Italy, so I always do everything in a hurry and miss a lot of things. Ok, well, but let's do like this:
ALWAYS WRITE LYRICS IN GOOD ENGLISH, whatever is the awfull accent they're being sung! Just note that lyrics are mostly requested by people whose native language is not English, obviously, and it's not so useful if you get the lyrics but you have to try to retlanslate them again!

Subject: The Mero (e.g. the Dubs)
From:
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 05:03 PM

I can't seem to find the lyrics to "The Mero". Can someone please help me?

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MERO (Pete St. John)^^^
From: Ferret
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 09:46 PM

I hope this helps

THE MERO
Dubliners

Somebody under the bed - whoever can it be?
I feel so very nervous, I call for Joannie
Joannie lights the candle, but there's nobody there
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes she

Skipping ropes still turning, children at their play
In and out of Clarendon Street, in and out to pray
I haven't prayed for twenty years, or sung a happy song
Since praying went with innocence, and the Devil played along

And we all went up at the Mero, hey there, who is your man?
It's only Johnny Forty Coats, for he's a desperate man
Bang-bang shoots the busses with his golden key
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes he

My father was a stater and my mother loved a tan
She loved her ham and her sausages and her soldier fancy man
Nora's up in Jacob's and Mary's on the town
And I joined the transport union, when they said me nose was brown

And we all went up to the Mero, hey there, who is your man?
It's Alby (?) puttin' out walking, sure he's a decent man
Bang-bang shoots the busses with his golden key
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes he

I've a tenner for the Mero and me compo money's head (?)
If Mary's in the family way she can blame the Cisco Kid
I be langers in the morning my longers (?) need a patch
Oh Jesus, there's Con Martin, I hope youse win the match!

My uncle had a wolfhound that never had to pee
But Hairy Lemon snatched it down on Eden Quay
Now I have my primo, my scapulars are blue
For helping the black babies and Dolly Fosset too.

And we all went up to the Mero, hey there, who is your man?
Spending (???) being out walking, sure he's The Gingerman
Bang-bang shoots the busses with his golden key
Hey, Hi, diddle-dee-i and out goes she

It's true that Dublin's changing since the pillar was blown down
By the winds of violence that are buggering up the town
We used to solve a difference by a digging match and a jar
But now they're all playing bang-bang - that's going too bleeding far

And we all go up to the Mero, hey there, who is your man?
It's only my guardian angel - get a large one for your man
There's no use bleeding rushing, sure now it's the Holy hour
A plenary indulgence and another baby Power.

------------------------
All the best
ferret

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Ferret
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 11:13 PM

There's no use blamin' Russia this shoud be There's no use bleeding rushing'

but the rest fits all the best ferret

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: The Mero
From: Ferret
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 11:22 PM

sorry, thats the 2nd to last line ferret

Subject: ADD: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: GUEST,johan
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 04:24 AM

here is the complete AND correct lyrics - according to Pete St. John, who wrote the song! (I actuallay have had an extended e-mail conversation with him about his song texts, not only this one.)

The Mero
(Pete St. John)

Somebody under the bed
Whoever can it be?
I feel so very nervous
I call for Joanee
Joanee lights the candle
But there's nobody there
Hey! Hi! Diddeleedai
And out goes she

Skipping rope still turning
Children at their play
In and out of Clarendon Street
In and out to pray
I haven't prayed for twenty years
Or sung a happy song
Since praying went with innocence
And the devil played along

And we all went up to the Mero
Hey there! Who's your man?
It's only Johnny '40 coats'
Sure he's a desperate man
Bang, bang shoots the buses
With his golden key
Hey! Hi! Diddeleedai
And out goes she

Me father was a stater
And me mother loved a tan
She loved her Hafner's sausages
And her soldier fancy man
Noel's up in Jacob's
And Mary's on the town
And I joined the transport union
When they said my nose was brown

And we all went up to the Mero
Hey there! Who's your man
It's Alfie Byrne out walking
Sure he's a decent man
Bang, bang shoots the buses
With his golden key
Hey! Hi! Diddeleedai
And out goes she

I've a tanner for the Mero
And me confo money's hid
If Mary's in the family way
She can blame the Cisco kid
I'll be langers in the morning
Me longers need a patch
Ah, Jesus! There's Con Martin
I hope he's won the match

Me uncle had a wolfhound
That never had to pee
But Hairy Lemon snatched it
Down on Eden quay
Now I have me primo
And me scapulars are blue
For helping the black babies
And Dolly Fossett too

And we all went up to the Mero
Hey there! Who's your man?
It's Brendan Behan out walking
Sure he's a ginger man
Bang, bang shoots the buses
With his golden key
Hey! Hi! Diddeleedai
And out goes she

It's true that Dublin's changing
Since the pillar was blown down
By the winds of violence
That are buggering up the town
We used to solve a difference
With a digging match and a jar
But now they're all playing bang-bang
That's going too bleeding far

And we all go up to the Mero
Hey there! Who's your man?
It's only me guardian angel
Get a large one for your man
There's no use bleedin' rushing
For now is the holy hour
A plenary indulgence
And another baby Power

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: GUEST,harry baker
Date: 20 May 10 - 05:15 PM

Its Brendan Behan out walking shure he`s the ginger man
Brendan Behan wrote the ginger man

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 May 10 - 01:31 PM

I have been on a Dubliners kick lately..hear them by the dozens each evening..I could swear there are some versions on you tube of this and I will look up tonight...

It is like I discovered I have Dubliners Deficiency Syndrome and just keep listening and listening..even to the same song different versions..the group changed over the years, mostly due to deaths, but it is great to hear different versions of the songs...mg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 21 May 10 - 03:10 PM

Brendan Behan wrote the ginger man

No - that was the American J.P. Donleavy, based on a fellow American called Gaynor Crist, IIRC.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: mg
Date: 21 May 10 - 10:26 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=383eufjsykM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=383eufjsykM&feature=related

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 11 - 06:39 PM

Just a note it's not "compo money's hid" it's "confo money's hid"

Confo is short for confirmation, the catholic rite that school children made around the age of 12 and generally relatives and friends would give the child money as a present for the occasion

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 28 May 11 - 06:43 PM

Aparently the going rate for Communion money (the earlier ritual)averages around 400 euro these days. Dunno what the confo equivalent is.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 11 - 07:07 PM

Word has it that in our current economic climate, the goverment is going is going to put a tax on Communion and Confo money of 6%

---

Please note that anonymous posting is no longer allowed at Mudcat. Use a consistent name [in the 'from' box] when you post, or your messages risk being deleted.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 29 May 11 - 05:14 AM

The government does well enough on the extravagant celebrations through VAT, excise duty etc, I reckon! I stopped for lunch in Athlone on the way across Ireland yesterday, in a restaurant whose owner I happen to know quite well. The place was hopping - recession or no recession. Then I spotted the little white angels running around the place and realised that not every Saturday was like this... That said, my friend is not complaining, of course.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 06:02 PM

An old radio interview (part, at least) with the Dublin character "Bang-bang", mentioned in the song, has been posted on Youtube.

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 13 - 02:14 PM

Anyone have the chords?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 08:58 AM

Fine recording of the song, by Barry Gleeson, at the Goilin Song Project:

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Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Mero (Pete St. John)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Dec 14 - 02:47 PM

Bang Bang Johnny was a popular oddball Dublin character that Bob Stokes , the Dublin Busker told me about.

Bob is the brother of John Stokes of The Bachelors. They used to sing at O'Donoghues pub way back.