Lyr Req: Tinker's Poteen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinker's Poteen
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Sep 14 - 09:12 AM

There is a video of Annie Hirrell singing THE TINKER'S POTEEN at Irish Traditional Music Archive, along with a transcription of the lyrics. They are nearly identical to those given above, except:

VERSE 2 LINE 1: My father brewed poteen on Bessybrook Brae.

VERSE 4 LINE 1: Well, I sold my poteen from Derry to Cork,

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinker's Poteen
From: GUEST,Glynne Davies
Date: 10 Sep 14 - 06:29 AM

I got this from a Sullivan's Gypsies LP in the 60's, the band are Canadian, two great songs on the CD this and Paddy Doyle the Poacher. Here is The Ragtag Band singing A Tinkers Poteen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8uZrfHvZ5Q

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinker's Poteen
From: GUEST,paul
Date: 03 Apr 11 - 05:09 PM

try and google pecker dunne or search pecker dunne on youtube

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinker's Poteen
From: allanwill
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 08:20 PM

Also on the Sullivan's Gypsies LP "The Leprechaun" and is called A Tinkers Poteen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 11:51 AM

The catalogue of the Library and Archives of Canada shows that TINKER'S POTEEN is on Liam Maguire's album "Irish Favourites", Cynda Records, CNS 1046, 1975.

There is a video at YouTube called Tinker's Poteen - guy at O'Connors Pub in Doolin, Ireland. It's incomplete, but there's enough to learn the tune, if that's what you want.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: GUEST,mm
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 06:01 PM

can u get this song on youtube?
let me no
thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: Brakn
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 12:47 PM

"Tinker's Poteen" is the title and I got the words of the Seamus Moore version. Unfortunately it doesn't say who wrote it. Will make enquiries.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 11:36 AM

Brakn, could you give us source and background information so I can standardize the formatting on those lyrics? Where did you get the song from? What's the title - "Tinker's Poteen," right?

Thanks.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: le cheffie
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 11:23 AM

Thats the one Michael thank you

Subject: Lyr Add: TINKER'S POTEEN
From: Brakn
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 05:09 AM

TINKER'S POTEEN
(as performed by Seamus Moore)

I was born a tinker and I'll tell you no lie:
A tinker I've lived and a tinker I'll die.
Now don't get me wrong; I carry no shame.
The Lord made me a tinker and I'm proud of me name.

Me father brewed poteen on Bessy'd best range.
When I was twelve to me he did say:
"Well, son, you're of age and it's plain to be seen
It's time I taught you how to make the poteen."

Well, he taught me the trade and I learnt it well.
I made the finest poteen any tinker could sell,
And I used the same still that me da used before.
Aye, it's been in the family for a hundred years or more.

Well, I sold my poteen from Derry to Cobh,
From Donegal to Dublin and around by Mayo.
Through the 32 counties I'm free to roam.
Aye, the poteen's me livin' and the roadside's me home.

Well, I married a tinker, a colleen so fair.
Her father and mother were tinkers from Clare.
To have me a son is my fondest dream.
How I'd love teachin' him how to make the poteen!

I would teach him the trade in a tinker's poteen.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 11:01 PM

This much is quoted in Farnol, Jeffery. The Broad Highway. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1911, page 127:

A tinker I am, O a tinker am I,
A tinker I'll live, and a tinker I'll die;
If the King in his crown would change places wi' me
I'd laugh so I would, and I'd say unto he:
"A tinker I am, O a tinker am I,
A tinker I'll live, and a tinker I'll die."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 05:24 AM

Great recording by Con Greaney on 'Cascades of Song selections from the Ennistimon singing weekend', available on OAC web-site.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: Brakn
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 04:57 AM

I have it by Seamus Moore. Wil PM you.

Subject: Lyr Add: NATTY SAM (Charles Dibdin)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 04:08 PM

The verse is reminiscent of the Charles Dibdin song, "Natty Sam," which he composed about 1790. A broadside at Bodleian Library.

NATTY SAM
(Charles Dibdin)

A tinker I am,
My name's Natty Sam,
From morn to night I trudge it,
So low is my estate,
My personal estate
Lies all within this budget.

2
The man of war,
The man of the bar,
Physicians priests free thinkers,
That rove up and down,
Great London town,
What are they all but tinkers.

3
Those 'mong the great,
Who tinker the state,
And badger the minority,
Pray what's the end,
Of their work, my friend,
But to rivit a good majority.

4
This minds his name,
That cobbles his fame,
That tinkers his reputation,
And thus had I time,
I could prove in rhyme,
Jolly tinkers of all the nation.

1792, J. Evans, London, Harding B 12(65)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 03:55 PM

Sounds like "A Tinker I am" - recorded by the late Con Greaney. I've rarely heard it from anyone else.

Regards
p.s. Off on holidays at the moment. If the words haven't appeared by the time I return, I'll see what I can do.

Subject: Lyr Req: Tinkers Poteen
From: le cheffie
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 12:43 PM

This is another one of those songs that I have come across and I'm not sure if I have the correct words for and also know no back ground too.

It satarts

I was born a tinker and I'll tell you no lie
A tinker I'll live and a tinker I'll die
Now don't get me wrong
for I carry no shame
The lord made me a tinker and I'm proud of me game.