Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs

Subject: Tune Add: AN SPEALADOIR
From: MMario
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 01:38 PM

Felipa/Philippa sent me the tadpoles for An Spealadoir - from (I believe) Ceolta Gael 2

X:1
T:AN SPEALADOIR
I:abc2nwc
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:C
z6(G F)|E D E C c e d c|B G F E F A G F|
w:Mo_ lean le lua is m'a-tuir-se, isni fear do bhaint ar teas-can-na. D'fhag
E D E C B, C D E|F2D3/2 D/2 D2(G3/2 F/2)|
w:ceas-ta buar-tha m'aig-i-ne le treimh-se go tlath,Ach_
E D E C c e d c|B G F E F A G F|
w:eigse is suad an tsean-a-chais i ngei-bheann crua isin an-a-cra Go
E D E C B, C D F|E2C C C2 (3(GA)B|
w:treith i dtua-tha leath-an Luirc gan reim mar ba ghnath, is_ gach
c B c B c d e c|(d B) G G G2(G A)|
w:ion-na-bhi-le bor-ab-chu-thaigh trean_-chum-ais d'fhas, De_
_B A B A B c d B|c2G E F2(G F)|
w: bhrol-la-stoc na so-na-chon do phrea-mhaigh onspainn, go_
E D E C c e d c|B G F E F A G F|
w: cant-lach foan-lag eas-bui-theach, Fa ghall-smacht ghear ag
da-na-raibh an
E D E C B, C D F|E2C3/2 C/2 C2z2
w:cam-sprot claon do sheal-a-bhaigh A saor-bhail-te stait

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Felipa
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 02:34 PM

The Spealadóir in Ceolta Gael is a different song than the one posted by Brían, as you can see from the words. The tune is very similar but not the same. See the Magpie's Nest in the DT (If I were a king ... I would lay you down to nest in the magpie's nest) for the tune.

The Salt is also sung to a well-known air, a jig used also for singing "The Devil and Bailiff McGlynn"

There's a song from John Maguire of Fermanagh about the Strabane Hiring Fair in a book compiled by Robin Morton ... see folktrax message above - and a forthcoming message from me.

MMario, don't forget the other two tunes I sent you for this thread. Many thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Felipa
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 04:21 PM

I thought the previous message had failed to transmit. I wrote the following off-line. It's repetitive of the message before it, but there's also a bit of new info:

You'll notice that the words of the song given by Ó Baoill are completely different from those sung by Róise na nAmhrán and Máiread Ní Mhaonaigh and posted earlier by Brían. The tune is different also, though it is similar. See also the Magpie's Nest in the DT, with sound file.
It's not quite right to say that the song was on the first Altan album. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh sang An Spealadóir on the album "Ceol Aduaidh" which she made with other musicians such as Frankie Kennedy and Ciarán Curran, but they didn't record the album as an 'official' group called 'Altan'.

I hope MMario will soon be back with ABCs for the lyrics I posted, Magherafelt Hiring Fair (Tam Boy) and The Daysman.

The Salt is sung to a familiar jig tune; the same tune used for singing "The Devil and Bailiff McGlynn". Lyrics for the latter can be found in The Stone Fiddle by Paddy Tunney, but without the air. (I haven't looked to see if it's already somewhere on Mudcat).

The Strabane Hiring Fair has been mentioned (see folktrax message). The song is in the book Come Day, Go Day, God Send Sunday compiled by Robin Morton from the singing and life story of John Maguire, Co. Fermanagh farmer and singer (London: Routledge Kegan Paul, 1973). Maguire made a record for Leader. This is another courting song connected with hiring. In the book, Maguire also talks about his memories of hiring fairs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: MMario
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 08:52 AM

working on them! the ice storm in upsate NY has deranged things a bit...

Subject: Tune Add: MAGHERAFELT HIRING FAIR
From: MMario
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 10:16 AM

see Philippa's post Apr 3, 6:57 am

X:1
T:MAGHERAFELT HIRING FAIR
I:abc2nwc
M:3/4
L:1/8
K:G
z4G G|G4G2|B4B2|A4G2|G4G G|G4G2|
w:Would you hire with me, Tam Bo, Tam Bo? would you hire with
B4G2|A2G2E2|E4B B|B4B2|d4B2|
w:me, my heart and my Jo? would you hire with me? say
A2A2G2|A4G2|A4A2A2|B2B2G2|E2D2D2|D4z2
w:you and say I and what an a ran-tin' young wi-dow am I.

Subject: Tune Add: THE DAYSMAN
From: MMario
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 10:41 AM

X:1
T:THE DAYSMAN
C:Eddie Butcher
Q:3/8=50
I:abc2nwc
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:C
z4zD|G G (G/2 G/2) G A (B/2 B/2)|B D D D2D/2 D/2|
w:I oncet was a_ days-man, I_ wrought cause an-ent And a
A A (A3/2 A/2) A d c|B G A B2B/4 B/2 c/4|
w:day in the_ week was kep' off for the rent; We had a
d e (d3/4 d/4) d G (G/2 G/2)|G (D/2 G/2) (G/2 G/2) B2G/2 G/2|
w:row o'er the_ hour-rs my_ blood bein'_ on_ fire,So I
B B z/2B/2 d (c/2 A/2) ^F/2 F/2|A (G/2 G) G/2 G3
w:packed up me dun-dle_ and I star-ted_ to hire

Subject: Lyr Add: THE STRABANE HIRING FAIR
From: Felipa
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 02:55 PM

okay, MMario, now that you've caught up, I've typed out the "Strabane Hiring Fair".

Lest anyone lately coming to this thread thinks that hiring fairs were unique to the northwest of Ireland, one of the first songs mentioned in the thread was the Scottish "Barnyards of Delgaty".

Omagh and Strabane are in Tyrone, N Ireland and John Maguire was from Co Fermanagh

THE STRABANE HIRING FAIR
from the singing of John Maguire

From Omagh town unto Strabane one morning as I took my way,
Sure all along the road seemed thronged with lads and lasses fine and gay.

It was there I spied a charming wee maid, she was walking slowly by herself,
For a-fear the rain her clothes would stain I did extend my umberel.

"How far do you travel along the road on this fine summer's morning oh!"
"It's 'til Strabane," she kindly says, "do you not know this is hiring day?"

"I fear the day it will be wet, although the morning does look fine
I fear my love," she then did say, "we won't be in for hiring time".

"Well if you consent to have a glass, let it be brandy, ale of wine,
We'll take a glass and then we'll pass and reach Strabane for hiring time."

She gave consent, away we went unto an ale-house by the way;
Glass after glass the time did pass, to we both forgot it was hiring day."

The clock struck three she smiled at me, "Kind servant boy the fault is thine,
The evening's wet and we're far from home, forby we missed our hiring time."

"Cheer up, cheer up my bonny wee lass, I do not mean to harm you.
For a marriage now I mean to try, for a servant boy proves always true."

"To marry a man I am too young, besides my mother has none but me
But I'll comply and I'll never deny I'll marry before I hire again."

That night we spent in merriment and married we were next day;
And every now and then she'd smile, and my hiring time was knocked astray.

Let lads and lasses all be true and listen to these couple of lines;
If you take a glass too long to last, you're sure to miss your hiring time."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Felipa
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 03:26 PM

Robin Morton, who recorded J. Maguire, also published lyrics and tune of the Strabane Hiring Fair in Folksongs Sung in Ulster. Cork: Mercier, 1970. (In that book the title is given simply as "The Hiring Fair")

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 03:23 AM

Wolfgang---you've been watching me------!

Subject: RE: an Spealadóir
From: Felipa
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 01:45 PM

the lyrics given in Ó Baoill, see MMario's abc posted a few days ago,
are a fragment of an Aisling poem by Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin of Kerry (1748-1784). The only reason they are in this thread is because the other Spealadóir with lyrics posted goes to a variant of the tune. Some day an Spealadóir will get its own thread. But before that I will send MMario tune for The Strabane Hiring Fair.

Subject: RE: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,Philppa
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 06:47 AM

extract from comments on The Hiring Fair at Hamiltonsbawn (lyrics in DT) in Robin Morton, Folksongs Sung in Ulster. Cork: Mercier, 1970
"Hiring fairs were in full swing up to fifty [now 80] years ago and the one at the bawn is remembered as recently as forty years ago [1930]. Every town had a fair, as much a social as a commercial nexus. Not every fair, however, was used as a 'hiring fair' and those that were had the labour-hiring aspect superimposed on them once in six months. May and November seem to have been themonths favoured for 'hiring'; no doubt becuase May marked the beginning of the harvest season and November heralded preparation of the ground and planting.

"One man explained ot me that 'in them days there were no tractors, no balers, no hay cutters, only the scythe and a man's hands - it was all hand labour. If you were a workman's son, or belonged to a family that was brought up, or maybe you hadn't ever a farm, you went to the fair and if you were lucky, a man would come up and ask you 'are you hiring?' - you made your deal with him. He gave you a few shillings and you gave him your belongings - you were hired.'

... ...

"A man, who had never any need to hire himself, and thus had no axe to grind, told me of a scene he remembered forty years ago. 'I seen me in Monaghan town, there was a fella with a wee butt of a coat on him and he was hiringthis good likely-looking man for six pounds a month!- and you could buy heifirs for seven and eight pounds apiece; a man was cheaper than a cow!' I pointed out that the man would have received his 'keep' as well as the £6, to which he acidly replied - 'Aye, well he might give you something to eat - you got licking the plates or something; not too much. It wouldn't bust you anyway.' "

Subject: RE: The Strabane Hiring fair
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 06:49 AM

Robin Morton's comments about The Strabane Hiring Fair:

"It's a poor cloud that has no silver lining; the possibility of meeting a woman or man at the fair must always have been a hope.
"Bridget Maguire ... a sister of John [Maguire] ... sang this song with such a twinkle that I think she must have indulged in the pleasures she sang of.

"The girl in the song decides that in spite of the drawbacks marriage has much to commend it as an alternative to 'hiring'.

"Although she would have had some chores to perform for her husband's employer and his sife, these would have been easily balanced by the joys of bringing up her own family, and performing her 'wifely duties'. anything was preferable to the lonely life of a servant girl."

Subject: Tune Add: THE STRABANE HIRING FAIR
From: MMario
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 10:11 AM

X:1
T:THE STRABANE HIRING FAIR
I:abc2nwc
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:D
A2c d2d|c2c B2B|d2e f2f|e2d c2A|
w:Ah from O-magh town on to Stra-bane one morn-ing as I took my
A3d2d|c2c B2B|c2e f2b|f2e f2B|B3-B3
w:way, All a-long the road seemed thronged, with lads and lass-es fine and gay._

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Felipa
Date: 22 May 03 - 11:04 AM

I see the Cranbally Farmer is in the folktrax list, message of 16 Aug 01. Well, words and abc are in the mudcat forum.

see also the Galbally Farmer (or The Spalpeen's Lament of the Cranbally Farmer) or Darby O'Leary (where you'll get a link to the Galbally farmer thread for other versions)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 10:07 AM

another one posted at Mudcat: Jobber from Clare or "Paddy from Clare"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: pavane
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 11:33 AM

Thread creep!

Since I posted the note on Richard (or Dicky) of Taunton Deane, I have discovered that at the time the song was printed (C1837) my ancestors, including my Great-Great-Great-Grandfather (died 1848), were living in the Vale of Taunton Deane (Oake and Milverton). No Richards amongst them as far as I know.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mo lean le lua
From: GUEST,Maire.
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 01:55 PM

If anyone has these lyrics I would be sooo greatful.
My mother sang it with great gusto and I would love to learn it.
Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 09 Jun 09 - 12:26 PM

In "The Salt" posted by Auxiris the word 'piners' is shown as a 'misunderstood word'. Although Kevin Coneff uses this word in his version on his "The Week Before Easter", when he sang the song in concert at The Colston Hall, Bristol a few years ago, he substituted 'crubeens'. This prompted me to start this thread Piners?

When I sing this song I use the word crubeens.

Rog

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Felipa
Date: 11 Mar 18 - 10:50 AM

Brady from Strabane (recorded by Irish Rovers, Hugo Duncan, Furey Bros. according to the Web)

As I went down to the Hiring Fair in a place they call the Strand,
Twas there I hired for seven long years with Brady of Strabane.
And before I went and hired with him, he was very nice to me.
He promised me eggs and bacon, and he then shook hands with me,

Saying "You're welcome with me, Johnny. And you're with a decent man."
But little I knew what I had to do for Brady of Strabane.

When I went up to my bed that night, I let out an awful bawl.
For the fleas they made a fierce attack, and I got no sleep at all.
When I came down for my breakfast, what do you think I see,
But a dozen squawling children saying "Is there anything there for me?"

He said, "You're welcome with me, Johnny. And you're with a decent man."
But little I knew what I had to do for Brady of Strabane

I worked on Brady's farm til I looked an awful sight.
My bones were pushing through my skin, for I worked from morn til night.
One day, I died and passed away, and Brady gave a grin,
Saying "He'll make good fertilizer, and there's plenty more like him."

Saying "You're welcome with me, Johnny. And you're with a decent man."
But little I knew what I had to do for Brady of Strabane.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Felipa
Date: 11 Mar 18 - 12:20 PM

The Salt has been mentioned a few times and is in the DT. ITMA has a recording available to listen online https://www.itma.ie/digital-library/sound/salt_jimmy_doherty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Felipa
Date: 11 Mar 18 - 12:37 PM

lyrics, notation and recording of the Magherafelt May Fair:
Ma href=https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/542>https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/542

other recordings of this song include singers Gemma Hasson and Maranna McCloskey

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: OldNicKilby
Date: 12 Mar 18 - 07:14 AM

Steve Thomason has written a superb "Hiring Fair " song Highly recomended

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 12 Mar 18 - 02:10 PM

Can't see that anyone has mentioned Brian McNeill's song, "The Trysting Fair at Falkirk"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 12 Mar 18 - 02:17 PM

Apologies: the correct title for that song is "Lads O' the Fair". Full lyrics posted by Don Meixner in 2004 (not on this thread).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,Molly
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 02:00 PM

I' looking for that Steve Thomason Song - The Hiring Fair referred to by OldNick in March 2018. Anybody got the lyric/tune/both?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 21 Oct 20 - 04:55 PM

The Whitby Farmer

A farmer he goes to the Martinmas Fair
To see the farm workers who all gather there.
Lad, ista for hiring? Hasta got a strong arm?
Says the lad, I can deea onny thing on a farm.

Chorus;
Well you may be a farmer or follow the plough
But in this rough world, we must rub along now.
Wherever you go and whatever you do,
In all of your dealings be honest and true.

Well thoo looks a good lad. Wheer were yer last year?
I worked wi’ the feller as stands over theer.
Now if he will put in a good word for thee,
Then I’ll hire thee this year, tha can come wham with me.

Then the lad he goes over to ask for a good word.
Nay, says his old master, Lad, have yer not heard?
Yer deean’t want to go wi' him to make yer new home.
He’ll hunger yer and work yer reet dahn to the bone.

So the lad he goes back to the farmer again.
Have yer got a good word, lad? the farmer says then.
Nay, says the lad, I've not got one for me,
But he’s just given me a reet bad 'un for thee.

For the tune - The Man in the Moon - see the Full English performance on youtube.

Adapted from a story published in The Sound of History by Roy Palmer; told by Jack Beeforth of Wragby Farm near Whitby to Dave Hillery in 1974. Hiring was a very speculative and hazardous enterprise for both parties. Henry Peacock 2020

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: weerover
Date: 23 Oct 21 - 07:37 AM

Found this on evergreentrad.com:

My chum and I we left Belfast for Dubilin town we took our way,
And all along the road was strewn with lads and lassies fair and gay,
‘Til drawing nigh one did I spy as she walked slowly by hersel,
And for fear the rain her clothes would stain I did display my umberel.
“Where are you going my pretty fair maid how far do you intend to stray?”
“To Antrim’s town sir I am bound for this they say is hiring day,
The clouds they do look something wet although the morning did look fine,
I fear my love” she then did say, “we won’t be in for hiring time.”
“O cheer your heart, my pretty maid for by and by the rain will pass,
And don’t be sad when with a lad, a roving baker from Belfast,
Then if you will accept a drink of whiskey, brandy, ale or wine,
We’ll have a drink and then be there to Antrim’s town by hiring time.”

She gave consent and in we went to an alehouse that stood by the way,
Glass after glass around did pass and we both forgot it was hiring day,
The clock struck three she smiled at me saying “Roving baker the fault is thine,
For the day’s far spent, night’s coming on besides I’m late for hiring time.”

We have another song this month from the wonderful repertoire of Charles Finnemore of Bridgewater, Maine as recorded by Helen Hartness Flanders in the 1940s. I have found versions of “The Hiring Time” (aka “The Hiring Day” or “The Strabane Hiring Fair”) sung by Eddie Butcher of Co. Derry, Michael Gallagher and John Maguire of Co. Fermanagh and Dick Flynn of Co. Wexford (also Jimmy Grant). It seems to have been a well-travelled song in Ireland. In Scotland, it was “The Feeing Time” and versions show up printed on broadsides there as early as the 1840s.
Finnemore’s version leaves off the ending typically sung in Ireland where the couple gets married in the morning and lives happily ever after. Finnemore also sang the song twice for the Flanders collection and did a different second verse each time. His drifting second verse split well into two verses with some help from one of the Scottish broadsides I found online through the National Library of Scotland so this is what I have printed above. To hear Finnemore’s varying versions, visit the Flanders Ballad Collection on archive.org.
The pattern of attending seasonal hiring fairs in Ireland and Scotland persisted in new forms in Maine and other north woods communities where lumber companies would send out agents, (“preachers of the gospel” one Michigan song calls them) each fall to hire enough men for their crew.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: weerover
Date: 23 Oct 21 - 09:19 AM

...and I should have given the song title - "Hiring Time"

wr

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 23 Oct 21 - 11:26 AM

My band does a couple Hiring Fair songs. Ralph McTell's "Girl From The Hiring Fair", and "I Went Down to The Hiring Fair" done by The Irish Rovers.
But we also do a couple that only allude to the Fair System and really aren't Hiring Fair songs. "The Generations of Change" ("By the time he made Second....")by Matt Armour and "Lads O' The Fair" by Brian McNeill which maybe really is.

Good luck with this project.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,jugmws
Date: 23 Oct 21 - 05:02 PM

"Molly" was asking for details of the "Steve Thomason Song - The Hiring Fair ".
What I can tell you is........
It is not a Steve Thomason song at all; it was written by Helena Torpy & is called The Attingham Waltz . Steve did sing it though.
Hope this helps
m

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: RTim
Date: 23 Oct 21 - 07:45 PM

Bogie's Bonnie Belle
Ae Whitsun day at Huntly toun ’twas there I did agree
Wi auld Bogieside a fairmer a six-month for tae fee.

Noo Bogie wis a greedy man An I did know that well
But he also had a dochter, her name wis Isabel.

Noo Belle she wis the bonniest lass in aa the countryside
And very soon I lost ma heirt tae the Belle o Bogieside.

For often on a summer’s nicht I wid wander wi ma dear
For tae watch the trouties loupin in Bogie’s water clear.

Noo I slipped my airms aroon her waist an the feet fae her did slide
It was there I taen my will o her at Bogie’s waterside.

For nine lang month had passed an gone an she brocht tae me a son
And auld Bogie he did send for me tae see whit could be done.

I said that I wid mairry her but oh no that widna dee
For I ’m nae match for Bogie’s Belle an she’s nae match for me.

So noo she married a tinkler chap an he bides in Huntly toun
And wi tilly-pans and ladles she scoors the country roun.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And June Tabor's English Language version...

As I came down to Huntly town, a-searching for a fee
I met with Bogie o' Cairnie and with him I did agree.
To work his two best horses, barrow, cart or plow
Or any kind of good farmwork he knew well that I could do.

He had a lovely daughter, and her name was Isabel,
She was the lily of the valley and the primrose of the dell.
And when she'd go out walking she'd take me for her guide;
Down by the banks of Cairnie we watched those small fish glide.

And when three short months had gone and passed, this lassie lost her bloom.
And the red fell from her rosy cheeks, and her eyes began to swoon.
And when nine long months had gone and passed, she bore to me a son,
And swiftly I was sent for to see what could be done.

I said that I would marry her, but och, that would not dee,
Saying, “You're no match for Isabel, and she's no match for thee.”
So I took my own son all in my arms, may he bring to me much joy,
And may he mean as much to me as the girl that I adore.

And now she's married to a tinker lad and he comes from Huntly town,
Mending pots and pans and paraffin lamps and he scours the country 'round.
Maybe she's got have a better match, old Bogie can't tell,
Fare ye well, you lads o' Huntlyside and Bogie's bonnie Belle.


Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 26 Oct 21 - 05:45 AM

Relevent and interesting item on Bothy Ballads
http://www.nefa.net/archive/songmusicdance/bothy/index.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 31 Oct 21 - 07:22 PM

Re Steve Thomason’s “The Hiring Fair” song: note Guest jugmws
Steve himself has written this note, which is now published in his beautiful book of songs.
“I’d thought the tune was traditional when I used to hear it at music sessions and I used it, with a very few changes, for these words. I later learned it was written by Helena Torpy and called The Attingham waltz.”
The lyrics are Steve’s and all the correct credits have been given in the book.
Sadly Steve died last year, and the book was produced by Colin Andrews with approval from his wife and family. Well worth buying if you liked Steve’s songs, and all profits go to Ashgate Hospice, Chesterfield.
So I could type out the words but I guess they will be subject to copyright.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 31 Oct 21 - 07:28 PM

If you want Steve’s book, go to;
Steve Thomason book