ADD: My Uncle's in the Dáil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Uncle's in the Dáil
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 24 - 03:54 PM

"and there's no buried silver up there at Leinster House"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Uncle's in the Dáil
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 23 - 06:54 AM

He never elects with either side...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Uncle's in the Dáil
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 23 - 06:54 AM

He never elects with either side...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Uncle's in the Dáil
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 06:11 PM

By the way, 'begorrah' is an American makey-uppy; I've never heard an Irish person saying it, but 'yerrah' is used. Yerrah, I'll use it myself on occasion.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Uncle's in the Dáil
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 01:52 PM

Found this on the web. Perhaps it will fill a few blanks.

MY UNCLE IS IN THE DÁIL
[Help me to replace the ?'s with the correct words: e-mail]

It was at the last election that me uncle Pat got in
he was always fond of politics and the ?same? I knew he'd win
he made such pretty promises to the people one and all
that's how he got elected as a member of the Dáil

Oh, me uncle is a T.D. me boys, me uncle is a T.D.
and that's the very reason why ??? ??? with me
me brother was made a foreman, though he never built a wall
yea, but then you'll see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Now, he's no good at learnin', sure he never went to school
but that's no disadvantage in this country as a rule
he was in the county council, but you know that ??? them all
??? my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Oh, me uncle is a T.D. me boys, me uncle is a T.D.
and that's the very reason why ??? ??? with me
he got a pension for me father, though he's not blind at all
yea, but then you'll see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Now, he's no fun to argue with, sure he's as quiet as a mouse
??? ??? up there in Leinster House
he never lips with either side Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil
so long as he draws a salary as a member of the Dáil

Oh, me uncle is a T.D. me boys, me uncle is a T.D.
and his sister's going to marry a ministers secretary
she met him up in Dublin in the Gresham at a ball
that's how they got aquainted through me uncle in the Dáil

Now, we're the finest family that ever yet was seen
we make a tidy packet from the makin' of poitin
it goes across the border and up to Donegal
and they drink it in the lobbies with my uncle in the Dáil

Oh, me uncle is a T.D. me boys, me uncle is a T.D.
and me mother got a pension at the age of forty-three
for we draw family allowance though we've no kids at all
yea, but then you'll see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Uncle's in the Dáil
From: GUEST,d j carmody
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 07:20 PM

My childhood memory of the song in North Tipperary has the second line of the chorus as

'and that's the reason why we're a happy family'

It was sung widely in the early to mid fifities
D

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Uncle's in the Dáil
From: GUEST,MJF
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 03:43 PM

4th verse (2nd chorus?) my uncle used to sing as "oh my mother was drawing the blind pension but she wasn't blind at all"

he used to sing it in the pubs in Offaly, and probably still does! I've never heard anyone else ever sing it but what a great song!

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: Snuffy
Date: 27 Jan 00 - 03:37 PM

I reckon you're right on both counts, but what is it if it isnt "acts"?

Snuffy

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 27 Jan 00 - 02:36 PM

"never a swear word" in verse 3, I reckon.
"acts" looks wrong...?

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: GUEST,Paddy(1)
Date: 26 Jan 00 - 08:45 PM

Snuffy

Sorry about your Graisha Matta's, but they are not the worst kind to lose !!

I don't have the CD you speak of but I will identify whatever words you are missing in "Tommy McDonagh" if you feel like giving me a phonetic version.

I love a challenge.

Paddy(1)

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 07:31 PM

Hi, Paddy (1)

Thanks for the Gresham, but you've destroyed one of my cherished illusions. *sigh* After more than thirty years there'll be no more Graisha Matta Balls - I shall miss them.

Sometimes the misheard lines are more poetic than the original. After hearing "Lonely Banna Strand" (the previous track on the Grehan Sisters album) I spent ages poring over maps of Ireland looking for Erinna Bay, and was most disappointed to find out years later that the German ships were waiting beyond "there in the bay".

If you want a song where you really have difficulty making out the lyrics, try the next track "Tommy McDonagh" - in over thirty years I've got just over half of it!

The sleeve notes of the LP say of "My Uncle's in the Dail" merely: The Grehans heard this song sung at various concerts throughout the country but could never find out the name of the composer. They eventually got the words from a friend in Sligo.

The tune is the well-known MacNamara's Band, music by Shamus O'Connor, Copyright 1917 by Edward Ashdown Ltd, London

Wassail!

Snuffy.

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: MudGuard
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 03:40 PM

Thanks to Paddy, the nephew of a TD!

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: tooter
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 01:27 PM

I don't know anything about the lyrics you requeste...I'm just trying to figure out this site!! Trying to find the lyrics to Peekaboo Mike McCarty and I can't figure out how to post the question. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: GUEST,Paddy(1)
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 07:47 AM

The correct words for

She met him up in Dublin in the (Graisha Matta (*5) ???) Ball

should be

She met him up in Dublin in the Gresham at a ball

The Gresham Hotel used to be one of the swankiest hotels in Dublin, situated in O'Connell St.

(At least thats what I heard from my uncle, the TD!!)

Otherwise Snuffy is spot on.

Paddy(1)

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: GUEST,Yuval Berger
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 05:53 AM

Hi Snuffy! Thanks! Most of your suggestions make sense. Bill sables might send me the full version in Febuary and then we compare. All the best! Yuval.

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: GUEST,Yuval Berger
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 05:46 AM

Hi MudGuard! Thannks for your help, I actually picked up most of the lyrics and had exactly the same problems that you had. But thanks anyway! If you search for lyrics of Irish folk songs, contact me through this forum, I might have it. Thanks again! Yuval.

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 06:44 PM

Graisha Matta is what it sounds like to me - I don't know what it really is. I transcribed the song from the same double CD you have (£10.99 from woolworths in 1992 I think). The vinyl has got awfully scratched over the years, and isn't much fun to listen to, but I keep it for the autographs.

Snuffy

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: MudGuard
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 04:39 PM

Thanks Snuffy, when I just a moment ago listened to the song again with your suggestions before me, most of them made sense to me.
The one I am still unsure is the Graisha Matta Ball. Is this a real name of an event or is it a transcription of what you think you hear without it makeing any sense?
Btw, My recording of the song is by the Grehan Sisters as well, but it is on a different CD. Mine is a double CD called Irish Folk Favourites with recordings of The Dubliners, Kilfenora Ceili Band, Sweeney's Men, Grehan Sisters, Finbar and Eddie Furey and Mick Moloney.

Subject: Lyr Add: MY UNCLE'S IN THE DÁIL
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 02:27 PM

I have it on a 1967 (autographed) Grehan Sisters LP called On the Galtymore Mountains. There are still bits of many songs on it that I'm not sure about. My suggestions are in bold. Take what you want and leave the rest.

MY UNCLE'S IN THE DÁIL

It was at the last election that my uncle Pat got in
He was always fond of politics and the seat I knew he'd win (*1)
He made such pretty promises to the people one and all
That's how he got elected as a member of the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And that's the very reason why nothing bothers me
My brother was made a foreman though he'd never built a wall
Yarra (*2), but then you see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Now, he's no good at learning, sure he never went to school
But that's no disadvantage in this country as a rule
He was in the county council but you know that means damn all
Yarra, but hats off to my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And that's the very reason why nothing bothers me
I've a pension for my father though he's not blind at all
Yarra, but then you see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Now, he's not fond of arguing, sure he's as quiet as a mouse
And there's no (very??) swear word up there in Leinster House
He never (acts???) with either side - Fine Gael or Fianna Fail (*3)
So long as he draws his salary as a member of the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And my sister's going to marry a minister's secretary
She met him up in Dublin in the (Graisha Matta (*5) ???) Ball
That's how they got acquainted through my uncle in the Dáil

Now, we are the finest family that ever yet was seen
We make a tidy packet from the making of poteen (*4)
It goes across the border and up to Donegal
And they drink it in the lobbies with my uncle in the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And my mother got a pension at the age of forty three
Oh we draw family allowance though we've got no kids at all
Yarra, but then you see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Notes:
1. Seat is pronounced "sate"
2. I think Yarra is an interjection (a short form of begorrah?)
3. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail were the two major political parties in Ireland (maybe still are?)
4. Poteen is moonshine liquor and "a tidy packet" is a typical old world understatement, meaning a very great deal of money.
5. That's what it sounds like to me. I've always just assumed it is a glittering occasion to which only the cream of Society are invited, like a ball at the White House or Buckingham Palace. But I really haven't a clue!

Snuffy

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: MudGuard
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 05:33 PM

Here is what I got. Red parts don't make a sense to me (I transcribed the song from listening to it).

MudGuard

My Uncle's In The Dáil

It was at the last election that my uncle Pat got in
He was always fond of politics and the (safe turn you requinn ???)
He made such pretty promises to the people one and all
That's how he got elected as a member of the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And that's the very reason for nothing bothers me
My brother was made a foreman though he'd never been to work
(Yet of a dang ???) you see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Now, he's no good at learning, sure he never went to school
But that's no disadvantage in this country as a rule
He was in the county council but you know that means (dermot ???)
(Yet of a caps off ???) to my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And that's the very reason for nothing bothers me
I (pay attention ???) for my father though he's not blind at all
(Yet of a dang ???) you see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Now, he's not fond of argument, sure he's as quiet as a mouse
And there's (no very silvard ???) up there in Leinster House
He never (adds ???) with either side (fine gaelacheanjawfowl ???)
So long as he draws the salary as a member of the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And my sister's gone to marry a minister's secretary
She met him up in Dublin in (the gracioure mat of ball/inauguration ball???)
That's how they got acquainted through my uncle in the Dáil

Now, we are the finest family that ever yet was seen
We make a tiny packet from the making of poor tea
It goes across the border and up to Donegal
And they drink it in the lobbies with my uncle in the Dáil

Oh my uncle is a TD, my boys, my uncle is a TD
And my mother got a pension at the age of forty three
Oh we draw family allowance though we've got no kids at all
(Yet of a dang ???) you see my uncle, he's a member of the Dáil

Subject: RE: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: bbc
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 02:28 PM

Hi Yuval, Bill Sables here on bbc'c computer in the USA. If you don't get the words contact me after 1st Feb when I am back in the UK and I will post them to you. Cheers Bill

Subject: Lyrics of 'me Uncle in the Doil'
From: GUEST,Yuval Berger
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 02:15 PM

Does anyone have the lyrics of "Me Uncle in the Doil"? Thanks! Yuval.