Lyr/Chords Add: The Galway Races

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SPORTING RACES OF GALWAY (Bodleian)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 08:15 AM

Bodleian Library broadside collection contains a copy of THE SPORTING RACES OF GALWAY (Harding B 26(621), printed in Dublin c. 1867. The text closely matches the text posted by John in Brisbane above, with a few important differences, namely, a different chorus, and 3 more verses.

The quality of typesetting is very poor; there are many misspellings, and common apprentice's errors (such as confusing "n" and "u", confusing roman and italic type, etc.). The print is illegible in many places, and I often had to guess at the intended word. I am especially doubtful of the chorus, since I don't know any Irish. Corrections are welcome.

I have numbered the verses to show where they should be inserted in the above text.

A NEW SONG ON THE
SPORTING RACES OF GALWAY

CHORUS: Agus fyme a reesth a Cruiskeen is becgh shea bawn.

3.1. There were jaunting cars & carriages going to & fro like blazes
And the buses back & forward there for very little payment
And the steamers & the ferry-boats well rigged for navigation
And they ploughing the raging stream(?) to come to see the races.

3.2. The ----(?) are in rotation in the middle of the races
And the stand-house elevated on a handsome situation
There was brandy wines & Cork ale & the best accommodations
And a drop of poteen whiskey that got no adulteration

9. Now my song is ended and my pen is getting weary
Success attend the gentlemen that carried on the races
May peace & true tranquillity abound in our little nation
Commerce & trade to flourish in our towns in future ages

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Add: The Galway Races
From: Daniel Nicolato
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 01:38 PM

* Really not sure about second line ;)

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Add: The Galway Races
From: Daniel Nicolato
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 01:28 PM

This is what I could understand from the recording for Paddy Reilly's last verse:

And now me throat is dry and I mean to end me song
Success attend the sport of kings since racing first began
I've been to all the races and I've seen all the places
But I know that I'll return again to see the Galway races

Subject: Lyr Add: galway races
From: GUEST,steve
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 10:56 PM

Paddy Reilly version of "Galway Races" he adds a final verse which begins "And now my throat is dry I mean to end me song......" What are the rest of the words to this verse. Can't find it anywhere.

Subject: RE: The Galway Races
From: GUEST,Brian O'Linn
Date: 22 Dec 01 - 03:11 AM

sheet music! for the love of god where do i find good sheet music on the 'net?? GALWAY RACES pref- i heard the pogues vers. and fell in love

Subject: Chords Add: GALWAY RACES
From: Annegi
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 02:25 PM

Dear MJ
There are many verses to this song - I'll give you the first couple just in case it's not what you want.

As I roved to Galway town to seek for recreation
On the 17th of August my mind was elevated
There were multitudes assembled with their tickets at the station
My eyes began to dazzle and they goin' to see the races
With me whack fol the do fol the diddeley idle ay

There were passengers from Limerick and passengers from Nenagh
And passengers from Dublin and sportsmen from Tipp'rary
There were passengers from Kerry and all the quarters of the nation
And out member Mr Hasset for to join the Galway Blazers
With me etc

The chord sequence is A; F#m; D; E;A; E; D; A; f#m; E; A; F#m; E; F#m
Hope this helps
Annegi

Subject: Chords for Galway Races
From: Mikey joe
Date: 17 Jan 01 - 08:16 AM

I can't seem to get this right Can anyone help me?????

Thanks

Mj

Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: THE SPORTING RACES OF GALWAY
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 15 Jul 99 - 08:34 PM

Don't believe that this has been submitted before:

The Sporting Races of Galway
(The Galway Races)

As I roved out thro' Galway town to seek for recreation,
On the seventeenth of August, my mind was elevated.
There were multitudes assembled with their tickets at the station,
My eyes began to dazzle and they goin' to see the races.
With your whack-fa-the-da for the diddly-die-dle-a.

2. There were passengers from Limerick and passengers from Nenagh
And passengers from Dublin and sportsmen from Tipp'rary.
There were passengers from Kerry and all quarters of the Nation
And our member Mr. Hasset for to join the Galway Blazers.
With your whack-fa-the-da for the diddly-die-dle-a.

3. There were multitudes from Aran and members from New Quay shore
The boys from Connamara and the Clare unmarried maidens
There were people from Cork city who were loyal, true and faithful
That brought home Fenian prisoners from dying in foreign nations.
With your whack-fa-the-da for the diddly-die-dle-a.

4. It's there you'll see confectioners with sugarsticks and dainties
The lozenges and oranges, the lemonade and raisins.
The gingerbread and spices to accommodate the ladies
And a big crubeen for threepence to be picking while you're able.
With your whack-fa-the-da for the diddly-die-dle-a.

5. It's there you'll see the gamblers, the thimbles and the garters
And the sporting Wheel of Fortune with the four and twenty quarters
There was others without scruple pelting wattles at poor Maggy
And her father well contented and he looking at his daughter.
With your whack-fa-the-da for the diddly-die-dle-a.

6. It's there you'll see the pipers and the fiddlers competing
And the nimble-footed dancers and they tripping on the daisies
There was others crying cigars and lights, and bills of all the races
With the colours of the jockeys and the prize and horses' ages.
With your whack-fa-the-da for the diddly-die-dle-a.

7. It's there you'll see the jockeys and they mounted on most stately
The pink and the blue, the red (orange) and green , the Emblen of our nation.
When the bell was rung for starting, all the horses seemed impatient,
I thought they never stood on ground, their speed was so amazing.
With your whack-fa-the-da for the diddly-die-dle-a.

8. There was half a million people there of all denominations
The Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew and Presbyterian.
There was yet no animosity, no matter what persuasion
But fáilte and hospitality inducing fresh acquaintance.
With your whack-fa-the-da for the diddly-die-dle-a.

MIDI file: galraces.mid

Timebase: 192

Copyright: Sequenced 1999 by John J Leahy
Text: Generated by NoteWorthy Composer
Tempo: 160 (375000 microsec/crotchet)
TimeSig: 6/8 24 8
Name: Staff-1
Start
0000 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 64 110 0094 0 64 000 0002 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0094 0 62 000 0002 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0094 0 62 000 0002 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 72 110 0256 0 72 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 74 110 0094 0 74 000 0002 1 72 110 0160 0 72 000 0032 1 72 110 0094 0 72 000 0002 1 72 110 0160 0 72 000 0032 1 74 110 0094 0 74 000 0002 1 76 110 0160 0 76 000 0032 1 76 110 0094 0 76 000 0002 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 72 110 0094 0 72 000 0002 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 74 110 0094 0 74 000 0002 1 72 110 0160 0 72 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 72 110 0094 0 72 000 0002 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 64 110 0352 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0094 0 62 000 0002 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 64 110 0094 0 64 000 0002 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 62 110 0094 0 62 000 0002 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 72 110 0160 0 72 000 0032 1 72 110 0094 0 72 000 0002 1 76 110 0256 0 76 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 72 110 0094 0 72 000 0002 1 74 110 0256 0 74 000 0032 1 72 110 0160 0 72 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 69 110 0448 0 69 000
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1The Galway Races
T:Staff-1
M:6/8
Q:1/4=160
K:C
GG2GG2|AG2EE2|DE2GG2|AG2GE2|DE2GA2|Bc3B2|
AG2AB2|dc2cc2|de2ed2|cd2dc2|BA2cB2|AGE4|DE2GG2|
AG2EE2|DE2GA2|BA2Ac2|ce3d2|cd3c2|BAAAA2|GA37/8||

Subject: RE: The Galway Races
From: Martin Ryan
Date: 16 Jan 98 - 11:25 AM

Pig's foot!

Regards

Subject: RE: The Galway Races
From: Wolfgang
Date: 16 Jan 98 - 03:44 AM

"crubeen" isn't in my three volumes Webster's, could one of the Gaelic speakers please come to help?
Wolfgang

Subject: RE: The Galway Races
From: Alice
Date: 15 Jan 98 - 09:13 PM

Elektra, this is a verse from the Clancy Brothers version:

It's there you'll see confectioners with sugarsticks and dainties,
And lozenges and oranges and lemonades and raisins,
And gingerbread and spices to accomodate the ladies,
And a big crubeen for thruppence to be pickin' while you're able.

source, The Irish Songbook, 75 Songs, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, ©79 Tiparm Publishers, Oak Publications

alice in mt

Subject: RE: The Galway Races
From: Elektra
Date: 15 Jan 98 - 10:25 AM

There is another verse in the version I keep hearing and I've got all of it except the last line:

There were all manner of confectioners(?) With sugar-sticks and dainties Oranges and lozenges Lemonade and raisins Gingergread and spices to accomodate the ladies ? ? ? for thruppence ? ? ? ? ? ?

This seems to replace the one about the pipers and fiddlers, which he either doesn't know (highly doubtful) or omits (much more likely -- he tends to drop verses of longer songs when the audience get restless). I am going to have to ask him where he got this version since he tends to have fairly "traditional" sources (and is often familiar with differing versions of a given song), but he'll throw in a curveball every now and then. (He has two extra verses to the Scotsman's kilt I've not found elsewhere, for example. A sort of postscipt to the popular version, if you will.)

Otherwise, it seems the same.

Subject: ADD: The Galway Races
From: Kevin
Date: 14 Jan 98 - 11:46 AM

Here's a slightly different version as performed by the Pogues, as part of the track "Medley" on the album "If I Should Fall From Grace With God." (Taken from http://www.dzm.com/pogues/Releases/Lyrics/LPs/IfIShould/Medley.html)

As I went down to Galway Town
To seek for recreation
On the seventeenth of August
Me mind being elevated
There were passengers assembled
With their tickets at the station
And me eyes began to dazzle
And they off to see the races

With me wack fol the do fol
The diddle idle day

There were passengers from Limerick
And passengers from Nenagh
The boys of Connemara
And the Clare unmarried maiden
There were people from Cork City
Who were loyal, true and faithful
Who brought home the Fenian prisoners
From dying in foreign nations

And it's there you'll see the pipers
And the fiddlers competing
And the sporting wheel of fortune
And the four and twenty quarters
And there's others without scruple
Pelting wattles at poor Maggie
And her father well contented
And he gazing at his daughter

And it's there you'll see the jockeys
And they mounted on so stably
The pink, the blue, the orange, and green
The colors of our nation
The time it came for starting
All the horses seemed impatient
Their feet they hardly touched the ground
The speed was so amazing!

There was half a million people there
Of all denominations
The Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew, the Presbyterian
Yet there was no animosity
No matter what persuasion
But failte hospitality
Inducing fresh acquaintance

Traditional
Arrangments copyright 1988 The Pogues

Subject: RE: The Galway Races
From: Elektra
Date: 14 Jan 98 - 11:30 AM

I realized what I had done just as I sent it... DOH! I *hate* it when that happens.

I hope it gets added to the database -- I get so tired of coming up with "The Waxies Dargle"!!

Tx for the extra links too. I get so sucked in here after a while that I forget there are other resources out there!

Do you know if GR is attributed to "Trad"? Or is there some provenance tracing back to an original writer? Just curious. (As ever.)

Subject: RE: The Galway Races
From: Wolfgang
Date: 14 Jan 98 - 04:47 AM

A slightly different version with music is found here

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: THE GALWAY RACES
From: Wolfgang Hell
Date: 14 Jan 98 - 04:41 AM

Elektra asked for the lyrics to this song well hidden in another thread. Here are the lyrics copied & pasted from http://celtic-otter.com/Ballads/Ballads3.html#The Galway Races:

The Galway Races

As I rode to Galway Town to seek for recreation,
On the 17th of August, me mind being elevated,
There were multitudes assembled with their tickets at the station,
My eyes began to dazzle and I'm going to see the races,

Chorus
With me Whack, Fol-da-da,
Fol-da-diddly-ida- day.

There were passengers from Limerick and more from Tipperary,
Boys from Connemara and a flair of married ladies,
People from Cork City who were loyal, true and faithful,
Who brought home the Fenian prisoners from dying in foreign nations.

It's there you'll see the pipers and the fiddlers competing,
The nimble-footed dancers a-tripping o'er the daisies,
There were others crying cigars and likes, and bills for all the races,
With the colours of the jockeys and the price and horses ages.

It's there you'll see the jockeys and they're mounted out so stately,
The pink, the blue, the orange and green, the emblem of our nation,
When the bell was rung for starting, all the horses seemed impatient,
I thought they never stood on ground their speed was so amazing.

There was half a million people there from all denominations,
The Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew and Presbyterian,
There was yet no animosity, no matter what persausion,
But sportsman hospitality and induce fresh aquaitance.

|C |C |C |C |
|Am |Am |G |C |
|C |G |Am |C |
|C |Em |Am |Am |
|C |G |Am G |Am |

---

Messages from multiple threads combined to make comparison of versions easier.
-Joe Offer-