Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs

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

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

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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Tune Add: THE SALT
From: MMario
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 12:43 PM

There is another version of The Salt in the DT.

This is what I have as the tune:

X:2
T:The Salt
C:
I:abc2nwc
L:1/8
K:C
z6(d c)|A D (F/2 E/2) D G c (A G)|(E C-) C2E (F|
G) c A D3/2 (F E) D3/2|(E G) A d f2e d|c A2z(c d) c A|
C3/2 F/2 E3/2 D3/2|D3

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SALT
From: Auxiris
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 03:16 AM

I see this is a recently revived thread and also that someone mentioned a song called "The Salt" earlier on. Here are the lyrics

Cheers, Aux

THE SALT
Kevin Conneff/Mrs. Chrissie Cunningham, Ardee, County Louth

Come all you young lads and young lassies, who hanker to work on the farm,
Now, be careful when choosing a master, it might serve for to keep youse from harm.

When I was a strapping young fellow, aged about seventeen
I hired myself to a farmer at the horse fair in Ballinascreen.

Now, his farm was way up the mountains and it all only heather and bog,
And me job, well, I got to look after his donkey, his goat and his dog

Now me, the farmer and his mother, we lived in a tumble-down shack,
His mother was well over ninety with the bones sticking out from her back.

It was only a tumble-down ruin, held up with ould yellow clay
The roof it was past all repairin', for the goat had the thatch et away.

His poor mother, she'd sleep by the fire, for the rain it came down on our bed--
And when I'd get up every morning, she'd be sittin' there noddin' her head.

The master was an awful ould skinflint, his heart was as hard as a stone--
He'd work me from daylight to darkness; in a month I was just skin and bone.

And he fed me on nothin' but piners? (Misunderstood word, sorry), he said they would make me a man;
Well, they damn near made me a dead one, eaten half raw off the pan!

Now, he had three ould hens and a rooster, one day they all died in the coop,
So he took them, he boiled them and salted them--we lived for a month on the soup!

Bad luck now, it never comes single, for the next day the nanny goat died:
So he skinned it, he boiled it and salted it--and made a bodhrán from the hide.

It was then poor ould Neddy, the donkey, he broke his hind leg and suffered great pain,
So he shot him, he skinned him and boiled him and called for the salt once again!

I thought, now, his mind was affected and myself I was going insane,
For when poor Fido died of distemper he called for the salt once again!

When I thought what happened, poor ould Fido, I couldn't sleep thinking that night;
And when I got up the next morning, I got a most horrible fright.

His poor mother was dead by the fire, when I ran for the door he cried "Halt!
Where are ye going so early? Come back here and help me to salt!"

Well, I went through the door like a rocket, says I, I'll get out in the fog,
I tripped in the yard with excitement and out he come runnin' with salt!

I took to me heels like a cowboy and over the hills like a hare,
I never stopped runnin' for a fortnight and I've never gone back to a fair!

Excess line breaks removed. --JoeClone, 12-Apr-03.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DAYSMAN
From: Felipa
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 04:40 PM

as sung by Eddie Butcher of Magilligan, Co Derry, Ireland on "Shamrock, Rose and Thistle", Leader Records, 1971 - from a recording of Eddie Butcher made by Hugh Shields in 1961. Eddie Butcher died in 1980.

THE DAYSMAN

I once was a daysman, I wrought cause anent
And a day in the week was kept for the rent,
We had a row o'er the hours, my blood being on fire,
So I picked up me bundle and I started to hire.

My mother with fleeching she near made me curse,
She says. "You'll go further and maybe fare worse;
I had a fiver saved up, it was hid in the byre,
So I broke up the bank and set off for to hire.

I stood at the fair from morning till eve:
Not a bid for my body did I e'er receive,
Says I to mysel' "It's a glass you require,
And stretch away home, for you're not going to hire."

I just had resolved when two lassies came by
And the one was well featured on me cast her eye;
Says she to the other, "Jean, here's our desire,
This man with the bundle; he's wanting to hire."

I knew by the joke and the way they were dressed
They were two servant* lasses, no more nor no less,
Though their impudent cheek I was forced to admire
The well featured one that had asked me to hire.

Ten pounds I was offered for to milk night and morn,
From all sorts of drink to be teetotal sworn,
On me nights with the neighbours to no call and pass
And then keep me han' off the young servant lass.

I was to be fed on the best of strong tea,
A duck egg to my breakfast, and that every day;
But in no case the servant no courting might stand
Says I, "On the mistress I'll first try my hand."

I threw my arm roun' her, she struggled and fought;
She seen that I had her, she knew she was caught.
So I split up the fiver and a drink I did share,
And I courted her home the night of the fair.

But still I'm a daysman and I work cause anent
And the day in the week's aye kep' for the rent,
But I have no fiver now to hide in the byre
For the bank is the wee lass that asked me to hire.

----

*Shields spells this word as 'sarvent'to approximate Butcher's pronounciation, & 'our' as 'oor'

fleeching means coaxing - "begging you to stay at hame," said Eddie Butcher

Shields notes: "Here from the nineteenth century is something we might call an Ulster bothy ballad. 'If you're working cause anent' said E[ddie],'you're feeding yourself and you're gettin the money but no meat ... you'd be paid so much a week.'. Hiring fairs were held twice yearly in May and November. Those held near the town of Magilligan were known by the picturesque names of the 'Rabble' (Coleraine) and the 'Gallop' (Limavady). They were good places to hear ballad singers. ...
... The only other version I have seen of it was a text printed in the Northern Constitution on 17 Nov. 1923.
The air is major, but with pentatonic traits."

Sheet music for the tune can be found in Hugh Shields, Shamrock, Rose and Thistle. Belfast: Blackstaff, 1981.

further notes from the book:
"... The first time E sang me this song he left out v. 5 with its explanation that the 'lassies' were two servants; without this verse the story is altered, with it a kind of rural irony adds relish to the good 'offer' made in v. 6-7. During Oct-Nov 1932, correspondence in the Northern Constitution revealed widespread discontent among farm workers hired for the season; boys were said to have emigrated to Canada because they were being offered £6-8 for six months (5 Nov.)"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Wolfgang
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 08:04 AM

Has Brian McNeil's "Trystin' Fair at Falkirk" had a mention (Boab)

Yes, it had, by GUEST, Boab on 12 Sep 01 - 02:13 AM

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 03:42 AM

Has Brian McNeil's "Trystin' Fair at Falkirk" had a mention--or does it not qualify as a 'hiring" song?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Felipa
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 06:23 PM

you can find lyrics in Mudcat archives for the song I know as Next Market Day - A Maid Going to Comber

I wouldn't describe it the way Jenny does (though maybe she has a different set of lyrics) and the girl was going to the markets to buy "some hanks of fine yarn" and maybe to sell produce as well, but not to be hired for labour
///

what do you make of the number of songs relating the hiring fairs to courting rather than to hard work?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: ard mhacha
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 04:13 PM

"The next market day" is from the north of Ireland. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Jenny Islander
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 06:08 PM

Don't know any hiring fair songs per se, but there are some American tunes about hard work for lousy pay in a job one can't get out of.

There's "Diamond Joe," the one about the cowboy in the middle of nowhere whose boss is a scumbag he always seems to end up owing money to (in some versions the employees gang up and kill him so they can go home).

Two from Alaska are "Cannery Call" and "Workin' on the Slime Line." Pay's good at the cannery IF you work until you drop, then get up next morning and do the same, day in day out until the fish quit flooding in.

And I vaguely remember one called "The Next Market Day," about a girl who gets hired, all right, and goes home with gold in her pocket and an invitation to the next market day for the same. And all she had to do was sit down next to the nice man.

Subject: Lyr Add: BOY BILLY
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 08:19 AM

I know a version of the previous song, probably more recent called Boy Billy. It's usually sung by a woman, with a man giving the answers.

Where be you going to my Boy, Billy Boy ?
Where be you going to Billy my Boy ?
Where be you going, for evermore here below,
Down in the meadow so gay, so gay.

Spoken: I be looking for Hire Missus.

Then fee to me oh my Boy, Billy Boy,
Then fee to me oh Billy my Boy,
Then fee to me, for evermore here below,
Down in the meadow so gay, so gay.

What will you pay me Missus ?

Three pound and ten........etc

Spoken: Where will I sleep, Missus ?

You can sleep with my groom.......

But what if he poke me Missus ?

Then sleep with my maid.........

For Shame, Missus !

Then sleep with me.........

Where be Master then, Missus ?

Oh Master be dead........

How long's he been dead then, Missus ?

Seven long (pause for effect) Days (or Hours if you want)........

What did he die of then, Missus ?

Oh he got wore out...... or I poisoned his pastie.........

I think I'll try elsewhere, Missus.

Subject: Lyr Add: Magherafelt Hiring Fair
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 06:57 AM

A widow goes to Magherafelt to hire a farm worker and ends up marrying one who drives a hard bargain!

1. "Would you hire with me, Tam Bo, Tam Bo?
Would you hire with me, my heart and my Jo?
Would you hire with me? say you and say I.
And what an's rantin' young widow am I.

(He says: "What wages, mistress?")

2. "Two pounds five," etc.

(He says: "Too little wages, mistress")

3. "Then two pounds ten," etc

(He says: "What diet, mistress?")

4. "Sowans and eels," etc. -
or"Sowans, oats and water porridge"

(He says: "Too slippy diet, mistres?")

5. "Then potatoes and beef ...

(He says: "Where will I lie, mistress?")

6. "You'll lie in the loft,"

(He says: "The rats might eat me, mistress")

7. "You'll lie wi' the weans," ...

(He says: "The weans might kick me, mistress")

8. "Well then we'll get married," ...

When I saw this thread the first song that came into my mind was the Magherafelt May Fair (which has been recorded by Kevin Mitchell). The song above also bears Magherafelt in the title, but could belong almost anywhere. I see it has been mentioned in previous threads, and also as "Tam Boy". I copied these lyrics from a booklet by George Sweeny, "Hiring Fairs in Derry, Tyrone and Donegal". Derry: Guildhall Press,n.d. (circa 1985-86). I assume the "etc." menas that the ends of each line are repeated from verse to verse.

Tune to follow (eventually!)

The bibliography suggests a couple of other songs (which I might post later on if nobody else has done so):
"Hiring Fair (I Once Was a Daysman)" recording of Eddie Butcher on Free Reed Records
"The Hiring Fair at Hamiltons Bawn" published in Robin Morton Folk Songs Sung in Ulster. Cork: Mercier Press (is in DT)

and includes
Hugh Shields, Shamrock, Rose and Thistle: Folk Singing in North Derry. Belfast: Blackstaff, 1981

Jonathan Bell,"The Hiring Fairs" in Ulster Folkllife

Patrick Campbell, "Growing Up in Donegal" in Béalóideas, 1977

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 15 Feb 03 - 06:15 PM

Entering "Hiring Day" and "Hireing Day" in Search in the Bodleian Collection bring up three songs on the subject, with many duplicates of "The Hiring Day" (a copy of The Hireing Day is also in American Memory).
"The Hiring of the Servants" also concerns farm labor. In this song is the caution:

You farmers take warning I hear the people say
The servants of Ireland are all going away
They are going to America as you may understand
You must give them all wages or give up your land.

Interesting is "A New Song on the Hireing Fairs of Ulster," Ballads Catalogue 2806 C.7(32), which mentions "The cowboy with a staff or stave(?), Will mind the cows in brook or bray." If he emigrates he may become a "real" cowboy with horse and lariat.

"Country Statutes, or Hiring Day for Servants" (Ballads Catalogue Firth C 19(159) warns young girls of what may happen in 9 months time, as does "The Hiring Day."

As might be expected, these songs are Irish.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,Jim I
Date: 15 Feb 03 - 04:32 PM

Norman Kennedy (mentioned above) also did "Sleepytoon" about being hired at the fair and about how it was not as advertised.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,Guest, Big Tim
Date: 15 Feb 03 - 10:56 AM

I got a good wee book on the (Irish) hiring fairs last time I was in Derry:

"Hiring fairs & farm workers in north-west Ireland" by Michael O'Hanlon. Guildhall Press[Derry?]. No date. ISBN 0 949451 20 6. Blurb by Dr Jonathan Bell, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Still in print I think.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: Ballyholme
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 11:05 AM

Thanks for posting the Hiring Fair, Weerover. My late grandfather was one of those labourers who hired out at fairs in County Antrim. That would have been around 1900, I suspect.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: weerover
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 10:41 AM

I should have added that there is a basic melody given for the last (Antrim) song. It is pretty much like the first line of "Banna Strand", repeated twice (is that a tautology?) for each verse.

wr

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hiring fair songs
From: GUEST,stooriefit
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 10:14 AM

I think what you lot are calling "hiring fair songs" are called Bothy Ballads in Scotland ,Bogie,s Bonnie Belle,Drumdelgie,Nicky Tams being only a tiny fraction of them. They describe life on the farms and in the bothy,s (where the single farmworkers or "bothy loons"lived,Loon being the term for boy)of North East Scotland during the later half of the 19th century and up until the late 1970,s