Origins: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)

Subject: Lyr Add: PATRICK STREET
From:
Date: 31 May 99 - 05:34 PM

I don't know how to submit words for inclusion in the database, so I'll post this here.

Patrick Street

You sailor lads, come lend an ear, and listen to me song
it's of a trick 'twas played on me, and won't detain you long:
I came home from see the other day and a girl I chanced to meet
and she's asked me up along with her to dance in Patrick Street.

Well says I "me pretty fair maid, I cannot dance too well,
besides I'm bound for Newry town where my parents they do dwell.
I've been at sea these last few years and I've saved up fifty pounds,
and me parents are expecting me, tonight in Newry town."

"Well since you cannot dance too well then you shall have a treat:
You can have a glass of brandy, and something nice to eat.
At nine o'clock this evening I'll lead you to your train,
but don't forget to call on me when you come back again."

Well she seemed to be so friendly, I went and hired a car.
We both went down to Patrick Street and on arrival there,
some people on the other side, I thought I heard them say
"He'll sure be in need of a jaunting car, before he gets away."

We had not been long in the room when whiskey it came in,
and when everyone had had their fill, the dancing did begin.
Me and me love we danced around all to a merry tune,
while the other couples did the double-shuffle 'round the room.

And when dancin' it was over, for bed we did prepare -
and after that, I fell asleep - the Truth I do declare,
me darling and me fifty pounds - me gold'n'all had fled!
And there was I meself alone stark naked lying in bed!

In gazing all around me nothing could I spy
but a woman's skirt and jumper at the foot of the bed did lie.
I wrung me hands and tore me hair cryin' "Oh what will I do?
Oh fare the well sweet Newry town, I'm sure I'll ne'er see you!"

When night-time it had come again and daylight was away
I put on the skirt and jumper and I set off for the quay,
and when I got on board the ship the sailors all did say
"Oh Jack has grown much prettier since last she went away!

And is this the new spring fashion that you went to buy on shore?
And where's the shop that sells them, d'you think they may have more?"
The captain says "Now Jack, I thought you were for Newry town;
you might have bought a better suit than that for fifty pounds!"

"Well I might have bought a better suit if I had had the chance.
I met a girl in High Street and she's asked me to a dance.
I danced me own destruction and I've done it so complete,
that I swear I'll never go back again to dance in Patrick Street."

Come all of you young sailor lads, a warning take by me,
and always keep good company when you go on a spree.
Be sure'n stay clear of Patrick Street or else you'll rue the day
In a woman's skirt and jumper they will ship you back to sea!

Subject: RE: Patrick Street
From: John Wood
Date: 31 May 99 - 05:51 PM

I know this set of words,but we call it,``Barrack Street´´.

Greetings John.

Subject: RE: Patrick Street
From: Barry Finn
Date: 31 May 99 - 06:11 PM

If you search the DT (database) by entering #418 or by entering it by another name it's known by Peter Street you'll find a close version already in there. You do have the right way for trying to get a song entered into the DT. Usually twice a year Dick, Susan & ???? others go through threads & some end up going in some wait a while & some, I guess go into songspace. Thanks for your Patrick Street. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Oct 09 - 11:23 AM

This song's title [& locale] depends on where it is chosen to be set.

I believe Patrick Street [from which the group took its name, presumably] was the"Sailortown" of Belfast. Barrack Street, which became the preferred title for a while after Nic Jones recorded a particularly fine version some years ago, was in Halifax Nova Scotia. The DT title, Peter Street, I believe refers to streets near the docks of both Liverpool and Glasgow. Being a Londoner, I generally sing it as Ratcliffe Street

Any other Sailortown 'Streets' where the sailor met his fate?

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Oct 09 - 03:43 PM

I thought the band Patrick Street were (was?) called after the street of that name in Dublin. It isn't the only street of that name by a long chalk, I believe. Can anyone tell me what a "jaunting car" is?

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Oct 09 - 04:15 PM

Wikipedia has an informative, tho brief, account of a Dublin jaunting car with a coloured illustration.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Oct 09 - 05:31 PM

Just google - wiki jaunting car

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: Declan
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 05:41 AM

I suspect the group Patrick Street changed the name of the song to match the band rather than the other way ariund.

Patrick Street in Dublin would not generally be associated with sailors.
A jaunting car is a horse drawn vehicle.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 06:14 AM

On my one and only visit to Dublin several years ago, I thought I found the shop in Patrick Street that the band used on the front cover of their third album, "Irish Times."

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 07:01 AM

Google Maps show me a Gt & Little Patrick Street, Belfast, very close to the Lough where the Douglas, Stranraer and Birkenhead ferries now dock. I don't think my assumption of 3 Oct 1123 was entirely speculative.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 09:36 AM

I wouldn't know. I didn't buy my computer 'til 14 June 1126. :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 10:19 AM

Very funny, mate. The 1123 refers to the TIME, you great big windupnik U!

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 03:27 PM

:-)

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 04:14 PM

Re jaunting cars.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 01:30 AM

Steve —

& ;~) right back 2U!!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 05 Oct 09 - 07:40 AM

With a hey rig-a-jig in a jaunting car
         "Let The Bulgine Run"

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: GUEST,Aaron Clegg
Date: 02 Jul 14 - 11:46 AM

Hi all,

Does anyone know who wrote this song Patrick Street? I'm seeing it online as "traditional," and other places are saying Andy Irvine wrote it.

Thanks!
Aaron.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 02 Jul 14 - 01:20 PM

Jack from Killaloe (Roud 9731, Laws K42)
Martin Howley, Fanore, Recorded 1975
Carroll Mackenzie Collection

Ye Irish men and women come and listen to my song,
I'll sing for you a verse or two I won't detain you long.
I came home from sea the other day and a female I did meet,
And she asked me up along with her to a dance in Barrack Street.

Says I my pretty fair maid I cannot dance too well,
For I belong to Killaloe town my parents there did dwell.
I have been those long years out in sea sure I have saved up thirty pounds,
And my friends will be expecting me tonight in Killaloe town.

And as you cannot dance too well sure you might have a treat,
Sure you might have a glass of beer or something nice to eat.
At four o'clock in the evening I will meet you at the train,
And you'll be sure to call when e're you come to town again.

When I found her so civil sure it's then I hired a car.
The children all at once, aye, began to shout and bawl.
The children on the other side in thousands they do say,
"O faith Johnny my boy you'll want a car before you get away."

We went to the dancehouse, the drinking did begin,
Each man, after his glass the dancing it did commence.
My love and I around the room we tipped a merry tune,
While two pair more were doing the Noble Jovial around the room.

When the dancing was all over sure to bed I did prepare,
Soon after that I fell asleep the truth I do declare.
My watch and chain and thirty pounds all from me had fled,
And left poor Jack the Sailor stripped naked in the bed.

When I woke 'twas the clear day light but no one I could a-spy,
But a woman's panty that was hanging out to dry.
I wrung my hands and tore my hair saying "Alas what shall I do?"
May the Lord be with you Killaloe town I never more shall see you.

The daylight was all over and the dark night coming on.
I put on t'ould vest and panty and wasn't I a nice young man.
And when I went on board the ship the sailors to me do say,
"O faith Johnny my boy since you left here you have been in the family way."

The sailors says to John, "My boy, I thought it was home you were bound
I thought you might get a better suit than that for thirty pounds."
I might have got a better suit if I had got the chance
But I met a damsel in the street that asked me to a dance.

I danced my own obstruction (destruction?) the truth I'll tell to thee,
But I swear an oath I'll never more go to a dance in Barrack Street.
Come all ye loyal sailors a warning take by me,
Beware and choose your company when you go on the spree.
Beware of those comely lassies or you will rue the day,
With a woman's jacket and panty they'll fit you out for sea.

(Martin got this song from a friend called Martin Linnane from Kilfenora about 60 years ago)
The motif of a drunken man being tricked out of his money and trousers is a well known one in oral tradition, but this particular variant on the theme, where a sailor is the victim, has been recorded only one other time here from Elizabeth Cronin's son, Michael, in London in 1954.
Quite often it is a tailor who is the victim; others have him as a tailir, often entitled 'The Tailor's Britches' and the Scots have a wealthy merchant's son who is tricked by 'The Beggar Wench'.

Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Jul 14 - 06:34 PM

This is a verse from Nic Jones' version of Barrack Street;

Well, everything being silent and the hour but twelve o'clock,
I put on the shirt and apron and steered for Cronin's Wharf;
The captain says, "Now Jack, I thought you were to Windsor bound -
Well, you might have got a better suit than that for thirty pound."

To fit the rhyme, I'm sure the words would originally have been (Cronin's) Dock.

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: GUEST,Louise-email to Joe Offer
Date: 15 Mar 19 - 02:28 PM

Dear Joe,   
Have you ever encountered a parody of or a “take-off” of “Patrick Street?” Someone sang it at Picking and Singing years ago, but I can’t remember who. It involves the sailor whose clothes and money were stolen when he went dancing with the “pretty maiden” down on Patrick Street, but then he dresses up like a girl and plays the same trick on other sailors. I thought it was clever at the time. Don’t know if I would still like it or not, but can’t find it anywhere.   
         Looking forward to seeing you Sunday.
                            Love,
                                 Louise

---

Can anybody help my friend Louise? -Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: GUEST,Trevor Thomas
Date: 18 Mar 19 - 12:44 PM

Hi Joe - I think this might be the version that your friend Louise is looking for.

THE CLOSE SHAVE
Come gather round you diggers who work the goldfields rare,
It’s of a trick was played on me which caused me to despair,
I came to town the other day my hard earned gold to trade,
‘Twas there I met a pretty maid, who did my heart betray.
Her lips were red as roses, her eyes a deep sky blue,
Her hair as yellow as the gold, she stole from me and you.
She took me to a public house and there we did imbibe,
In whiskey and strong porter, and dreadful stuff besides,
It’s then she asked me up to bed, to which I did agree,
But truth to tell I fell asleep, before she earned her fee.
When I awoke next morning, no trousers could I find,
But scattered all around me were women’s clothes so fine.
My jacket, shoes and gold had gone, and all that’s left behind,
Is a woman’s dress, a yellow wig and a shaving kit, not mine.
Why did she need the wig? Why did she need to shave?
It’s then the truth it struck me, in a fit of blinding rage.
My pretty maid’s a man I cried, be thanks I fell asleep,
I’d rather lose a bag of gold, than face that dirty creep.
To venture in the street again, I cautiously inclined,
I had a shave, put on the wig, and wore the dress so fine,
And as I walked along the road, a digger gave a wink.
I thought of all the gold he had, so I offered him a drink.
Now you might think it sinful, oh you might think it bold,
To take advantage of the lads who struggle for the gold.
It’s easy putting on a dress and drinking whiskey neat,
But leave your shaving kit behind when they are fast asleep


Traditional – New Words by Bob Bickerton

Subject: RE: Origins: Patrick Street (version of Peter Street)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 May 20 - 11:15 PM

This needs more research. My friend Louise sang "Patrick Street" tonight, but I bet she'd still like to find the parody.

-Joe-