Lyr Req: Daddy-long-legs. Irish song

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dady-long-legs. Irish song
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Mar 14 - 08:52 AM

Thanks for posting that, Q. Without your assistance, I never would have believed there was such a song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dady-long-legs. Irish song
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 17 Mar 14 - 02:00 AM

The song is written from the viewpoint of a fellow (Christy Moore) who is so intoxicated he has visions (hallucinations) on his way home from the pub. There's another song on the same album (Ordinary Man), with a similar theme, albeit slightly more straightforward lyrics. It's titled, "Delirium Tremens.".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dady-long-legs. Irish song
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 Mar 14 - 04:45 PM

Thanks.
Unlikely as it sounds, it really is an Irish song then. I think I have heard it, but I didn't grasp it then and I'm not sure it makes much more sense with the words in front of me - maybe it's not meant to.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dady-long-legs. Irish song
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Mar 14 - 01:01 PM

See thread 25100. This has been well-covered before.

Reel in the Flickering Light

Subject: Lyr Add: THE REEL IN THE FLICKERING LIGHT
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Mar 14 - 12:54 PM

Lyr. Add: THE REEL IN THE FLICKERING LIGHT

As I was walking home one evening,
I know this takes some believ'n
I met a group of creatures with the strangest looking features
A poor old dog and a worm and a weed
and a fine old pigeon, yes indeed,
A daddy long legs jumped up sprightly
And danced the reel in the flickering light.

Chorus-
Oh round we go, heel and toe
Then the Daddy long legs jumped up sprightly
And danced to the reel in the flickering light.

On his thin and wispy spindles
He was deft and he was nimble
His eyes were scientific and his dancin' was terrific
And the rats and the worms they made a din
And the nettles in the corner took it in
"O God," says I, "tonight's the night
We'll dance to the reel in the flicker'n light."

Then he looked at me directly
With a gaze that could dissect me
And he asked me in a whisper
"Have you got any sisters?"
"Good God Almighty," says I to him
"What sort of man do you think I am?
I've only one, she's not your type
She wouldn't dance a reel in the flicker'n light."

Says he, "Does she come from another Planet?
Does she have a bee in her bonnet?
Does she do her daily duties?
You never know, we might be suited."
And the rats and the worms began to laugh
And some of them started shuffl'n off.
We're going to have some fun tonight
Getting ready for the reel in the flicker'n light.

I could see he had no scruples
When I looked into his pupils
They were purple or magenta
Like a statue during lent
I said, "I'll get her right away
"Good man," sez he, "Now don't delay.
We're going to have some fun tonight."
Then he flicked his legs in the flicker'n light.

Then up stepped a red carnation
And they gave her an ovation
She was warm and enhant'n
As she slowly started danc'n
And the bright old pigeon peeled his eye
And the nettles and the weeds began to sigh
Daddy long legs said, "My, oh, my,
Are we ready for the reel in the flicker'n light?"

She was gentle, she was charm'n
And I heard him call her darl'n
He was as graceful as a whisper
On his delicate legs of silver
And the rats and worms were still as mice
And the poor old pigeon said "That's nice."
A shimmer'n veil on a lovely bride
And they danced to the reel in the flicker'n light.

www.shamrocksinthewind.com

Subject: Lyr Req: Dady-long-legs. Irish song
From: Mo the caller
Date: 16 Mar 14 - 09:25 AM

I was asked an intriguing question last night by one of the dancers at a birthday ceilidh I was calling.
She'd heard an Irish song about someone who wanted to marry a Daddy-long-legs, but they would't let him so he married a carnation.

I couldn't help and she's not on the internet, but her son is. I told her that if he asked on here someone would know who sang it, who wrote it, where she could buy it, and all the words.

Now I'm curious, does it ring any bells with anyone?