Lyr Req: Louse House at Kilkenny

Subject: Lyr Add: LOUSE HOUSE OF KILKENNY / BLACK CAVALRY
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 09:52 PM

The song that Quincy linked to is essentially the same song that appears in DigiTrad under the name Black Cavalry. However, it has a few significant differences that warrant posting it here. I have marked the differences with Italics.

THE LOUSE HOUSE OF KILKENNY
(Trad.)

Oh, the first of me downfall I set out the door.
I straight made me way on for Carrick-on-Suir.
Going out by Rathronan, 'twas late in the night,
Going out the West Gate for to view the gaslight.

CHORUS: Radley fal the diddle ay
Radley fal the diddle airo

I went to the town's hall to see the big lamp,
And who should I meet but a bloody big tramp.
I finally stepped over and to him I said:
"Will you kindly direct me to where I'll get a bed?" CHORUS

'Twas then he directed me down to Cook's Lane
To where old Buck St John kept an old sleeping cage.
From out of the door was a small piece of board
Hung out on two nails with a short piece of cord. CHORUS

I looked up and down till I found out the door
And a queerer old household sure I ne'er saw before.
Then the missus came out and these words to me said:
"If you give me three coppers, sure I'll give you a bed." CHORUS

Well, I then stood aside with me back to the wall,
And the next thing I saw was an oul cobbler's stall,
And there was the cobbler, and he mending his brogues
With his hammers and pinchers all laid in a row. CHORUS

Then she brought me upstairs and she put out the light,
And in less than five minutes, I had to show fight.
And in less than five more, sure the story was worse,
The fleas came around me and brought me a curse. CHORUS

'Twas all around me body they formed an arch.
'Twas all around me body they played the Dead March.
For the bloody oul major gave me such a nip,
That he nearly made away with half of me hip. CHORUS

Now I'm going to me study, these lines to pen down,
And if any poor traveller should e'er come to town,
And if any poor traveller should be nighted like me,
Beware of Buck St John and his black cavalry. CHORUS

[Black cavalry = fleas. Nighted = benighted = overtaken by night or darkness.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Louse House at Kilkenny - lyrics ple
From: Noreen
Date: 07 Sep 00 - 05:28 PM

Good one, Quincy!

Noreen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Louse House at Kilkenny - lyrics ple
From: Quincy
Date: 06 Sep 00 - 06:13 PM

Try this!

Louse House

Subject: Louse House at Kilkenny - lyrics please!
From:
Date: 06 Sep 00 - 05:51 PM

Hello

For a year now I've been hooked on the Dubliners, listening, picking chords and melodies, and performing them whenever I can (Irish folk music is booming in Norway these day).

One of my absolute favourites is 'Louse House at Kilkenny' but I can't seem to find the lyrics anywhere. (And for an untrained Norwegian ear, Mr Drew's articulation is not always easy to understand)

Can anyone please help me, as I would love to include this song in my repertoire!

Petter