Lyr Add: Paddy's Finger (from Tanglefoot)

Subject: Paddy's Finger:Tanglefoot
From: GUEST,Roll&Go-C
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 12:17 PM

I couldn't find a single song by this fine Ontario based band in the DT. What a shock! They write great songs from traditional style historical ballads to outrageous off-the-wall whatevers like the one I'm adding for St. Patrick's Day. They are also high energy, impeccable, performers. Note for the squimish: stop reading here!

PADDY'S FINGER
(original words & music by Joe Grant & Steve Ritchie Tanglefoot © 1994 From Saturday Night at Hardwood Lake)
'Twas in the town of Pelham one dark and dreary day,
We local lads was in the pub, just sipping time away;
When in there walked this stranger who disturbed our contemplation
So we decided his facial features needed alteration.
"Now what's your name, fair stranger? We've not seen you in town."
He answers "David Disher. I'm a man of some renown."
Says Patrick, "Well, now, Disher, lest you think that I'm remiss,
They calls me Scrappin' Paddy, and this here is me fist!"

Chorus:

Oh, Fight like a wildcat , learn your lesson, up jumps Paddy with a finger missin'
Poor wee fist, one finger less, for seven pound ten 'twill scarce be missed!
Oh, fight like a wildcat, learn your lesson, up jumps Paddy with a finger missin'
Poor wee fist, great bloody mess, for seven pound ten 'twill scarce be missed!
Paddy's finger 'twill scarce be missed!

A room of rowdy roisters, swinging aft and fore.
Disher takes a nasty knock and sprawls upon the floor.
Paddy pounces all too slow, and for one second lingers.
Disher grabs his hand and sets his teeth to Paddy's finger. (CHO)

Now Paddy seeks legal counsel, down in muddy York.
Fighting may be Paddy's line, but missing parts is lawyers' work.
His complaint was swiftly drafted and filed with the court clerk*
With a copy served on Disher before he could embark;*
So Disher is persuaded for fear of disputation
To compensate in full for Paddy's disindigitation.
Now Paddy gets his seven pound ten, a compensation which –
Convinces him that losing fights will make him filthy rich! (CHO)

* New lines added by CI

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Paddy's Finger by Tanglefoot
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 05:16 PM

Yes, finding Tanglefoot lyrics is hard, I want the full words to Laura Seecord. I also think Tanglefoot are bloody excellent, seen them about 5 times in the UK. Didn't one of our number(Mudcatters) used to be their Mando player? Cheers. Eric

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Paddy's Finger by Tanglefoot
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 05:25 PM

However, if you put "Tanlgefoot" into Yahoo search it comes up with a very nifty site by the band and lyrics for the 4 albums so far+ tour dates many in the US-but I am glad to say they are back in the UK in May.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Paddy's Finger by Tanglefoot
From: GUEST,Willa
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 05:52 PM

Tanglefoot are at the Whitby Moor and Coast festival on Sat May 5th (yet one more reason for Mudcatters to visit!). For a full list of appearances in the UK, starting in April, visit www.artifact.demon.co.uk/tanglefoot.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Paddy's Finger by Tanglefoot
From: Kernow John
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 06:11 PM

After 20 years in an operating theatre and on the ambulances I've never been regarded as squeemish. But I'm obviously in a minority as the above set of lyrics does nothing for me at all.
What sort of music do the band play? Sounds like something written by Oasis.IMHO.
KJ

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Paddy's Finger by Tanglefoot
From: GUEST,Roll&GO-C
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 09:17 PM

Words or lyrics may not adequately describe the impact of a Tanglefoot performance. The next best thing is probably going to their website above and sampling a MP3 file, and then you may still not like them but at least you'll know more completely why. Their pirate song, "Traighli Bay" is floating around on another thread here for those who are interested.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Paddy's Finger by Tanglefoot
From: GUEST,ceitagh
Date: 09 Mar 01 - 11:22 PM

I would highly recommend finding "buxton" if you really want to get an idea what tanglefoot can do. One of the most powerful anti-slavery songs i've ever heard, with a refrain that stays in my head for days after listening to it.

kate