Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,JOBM
Date: 12 Apr 22 - 06:10 PM

Brian is being buried tomorrow. What a sad loss. Blas Meala and Pale Rainbow, two books of singable translations of classic songs in the Irish tradition, are masterpieces with analysis of the lyrics and their contexts. There was so much more to this man than just Chantal - but that song alone merits his immortality.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Bas ten Asbroek Netherlands
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 07:50 AM

Blas Meala: A Sip from the Honey-Pot: A Selection of Gaelic Folksongs with Prose Translations and Verse Equivalents.
This is a booklet by Brian with several Irish songs that he translated in English, meanwhile maintaining the rhythm and the rhyme. I think there also was a tape with the songs both in Irish and in English. It is 35 years ago I bought them from Brian. I am sue they must be somewhere in my home.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Bas ten Asbroek Netherlands
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 07:37 AM

I met Brian in 1990 - 1992 in Sligo. A kind man and a friendly host and a good singer. His songs are hilarious but also serious: the satire in Drumsnot, When I grow up which is full of "Ireland is great but the world is greater", Chantal, the letter to Tim's mother and many more. It was great being in the Silver Swan and the Trades Club during the sessions at Fleadh Cheoil. That is where I got addicted to Irish singing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jan 19 - 01:23 PM

Any chance of the club reforming? I'm a young, fit, decrepit 40 year interested in helping with organisation if anyone is interested?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Mike in New Jersey
Date: 13 Apr 18 - 08:46 PM

Apologies. Spelling was never my thing. The song is great however you spelll it. Thanks for writing it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 10:29 PM

once more with feeling?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Mike McElligott in New Jersey, It’s
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 10:24 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 10:07 AM

Hi Mike.
I am the 'Mechanic' in question and I remember that night in the pub in New Jersey. Tom Brett is my brother in law. His brother, Damian. was also there. He was the Club's 'Navigator'
I was standing behind your left shoulder, not to chastise you, but to assist you if needed, which help was not needed.
Can you still sing it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Mike in New Jersey, USA
Date: 06 Apr 18 - 04:54 PM

I attended a pre wedding party for Tom Brett a great Irish singer in his own right, and met Mike “THE MECHANIC” Pres. and Enforcer of the Chantal Club. After several pints I managed to sing the song in it’s entirety with Mike slightly be,hind my left shoulder, to smack me if I missed a line.The contingency were extant I at “ Going International.” I think I can claim to be the first American to sing the song as witnessed by Mike” THE MECHANIC. It was a fantastic night I’ll never forget. Thanks to Mike THE MECHANIC and Tom Brett.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 14 - 09:04 AM

Maybe it is time that Club Chantal was reformed.
If anyone is interested, I am sure it could be arranged.
I have the Club Banner.
The Club Motto, "To hell with the silage" is still relevant.
A lot of the 12 Aims and Objectives of the Club have yet to be fulfilled.
The original Club Membership list still exists, broken into five classes of membership.
However, new, younger, more virile members would be needed.
The official Mushroom grower to the Club could be persuaded to come out of retirement.
And I know that Brian himself (The Bard for Life) would love to see it reform.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Feb 14 - 04:40 PM

To hear Brain performing his masterpiece (all thirteen minutes of it) on Youtube:

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Learaí na Láibe
Date: 20 Aug 13 - 05:48 AM

Great to hear it's still being performed.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Steve Mack
Date: 19 Aug 13 - 05:17 PM

This got an airing this year at the Derry fleadh in the "secret seisun" at the rugby club by "boys on the blackstuff". The only change I would make to these lyrics would be the way I hear "hamourous" pilgrimage which has so many more meanings....

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Mike McElligott
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 10:07 PM

I was chalanged to learn Chantal by an Irish singer name of Tom Brett.
I sang it in a pub in New Jersey whitnessed by Mike the Mechanic. It was a grand night and I think I was the first Yank to become a member of the Chantal Club, a great honor no doube. It was a night I remember with fondness.Mike

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,The Duff
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 05:43 PM

I think its high time the Chantal club was reformed . Another Poet/singer worthy of consideration is Declan o Brien ( he of the Joe Duffy Show ). One of his early tapes was with the Parnassus Arts Group and called World Cup me Arse . Unfortunatly lost the copy i had while abroad . A comedic classic .

Noel

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,seven of two
Date: 15 Jul 10 - 07:42 AM

Had the pleasure of having Brian as a college lecturer and having an exhibition of some of his songs last year.Normally the cd is available in the SU shop in GMIT where he was teaching

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 05:33 AM

GUESTkayinGalway

Try HERE. Or - if you actually are in Galway, I think Powells in Shop Street usually have copies.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,kay in Galway
Date: 26 Jun 10 - 06:33 PM

I can't believe I found Chantel. Heard ityears ago in the car and had to stop on the side of the road I was laughing so much. However, I thought there was a verse that said Chantel got pregnant. Probably happened in St. Kevin's bed!! Dying for my husband and kids to hear what Ienjoyed so much. It must be ten years since I heard it. Where can I buy it please???

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,O'Duin in America
Date: 13 May 10 - 11:48 AM

Thanks for all these threads. I just found my live tape of Brian that's been lost for nigh on 10 years and have enjoyed it immensely. I was workin' on his yodeling bit this morning on the drive in. James

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 03:45 PM

Brian's CD is now available in Custy's Music Shop HERE.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,ollie
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 08:50 PM

chantal lives, Brian she owes you loads!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Angie
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 01:41 PM

Love this!!! Heard it on the radio and have been hunting it down since. I live in Mayo and would love to meet Brian personnally to discuss me acting one of his pieces. Doe sanyone know would he be up for that? I go to college near where he lives?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 02:08 PM

Can't find my own copy at the moment! Offhand - I don't think it is. Will confirm when I can.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: Bren Ború
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 01:59 PM

Is "Banks of the Rhine" on the CD?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 03:11 AM

CD was published a while back. I'm not sure of availability but will post details when I get them.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Seadew
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 08:26 PM

Received of recording of this from a friend, this is brillant. Any news of the announced CD ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 Aug 08 - 08:58 PM

Met Brian at the Feakle festival, this weekend. The CD version is ready to go - apart from the cover/artwork which is being finalised at the moment.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke
From: Stín
Date: 31 Jul 08 - 07:21 AM

Hey Wiredgoose, is there any chance you'd throw the MP3 file up on the net somewhere, even if its only a version which we can listen to without downloading, it'd be so great to hear Brian's rendition again. Same as everyone else i lost my copy...but only after i wrote-off the car a few years ago and the tape was in it! Wasn't botherd about the car once i realised...Pleeease!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Wiredgoose
Date: 28 Jul 08 - 05:26 PM

I too have a hissy tape, and have gone one better: I've MP3'd it so Chantal et al are on my iPod. I'll be happy to buy a digital quality recording when it emerges, so Paula tell himself to get his skates on.

PS: living in the Alps but have never met the lass herself hereabouts.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,BrenKen
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 06:29 PM

It seems I'm the only person in the world who still has the tape! It must be worth a fortune, especially since it doesn't look like we're going to see a CD any time soon. Maybe I should auction it on e-bay?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,rugbyman
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 11:41 AM

Can believe I FINALLY found these lyrics. Like every other person here I had an old version on tape and lost iw when moving house.
thanks a million guys for all ye're hard work.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,MartinRyan
Date: 13 Jul 08 - 06:57 PM

Hi Paula.

Don't blame me!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jul 08 - 04:17 PM

Hi I'm the wife.  Someone just posted me a link to this thread.I cant believe you poor lads have been talking about that wan Chantal for the last 6 years. Must get himself to read this. The CD is still on its way "soon"! Last I heard he was going to work on it this August... Don't hold your breath!

Paula

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Donie Bredin
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 03:16 PM

Could somebody get Brian to put this up on U/tube ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Ella Minnow
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 12:02 PM

At last! Reading this brings back many happy memories. I too had a hissy old tape of When I Grow Up which has gone the way of all things (it used to travel about with me..). Can anyone provide a contact or email address to get a copy of this, Drumsnot etc. Even a hissy old tape would do!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 11:52 AM

Last heard, he was "working on producing a CD version"! I haven't met Brian for a while now - but will check when I do.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,An Chuileog
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 11:33 AM

Like many others i have been looking for a copy of Brians album When i grow up for years now. Anyone know if theres any progress on a cd? I heard Chantel and a few more sang in Ciarans bar in ennis a few years ago and i have strangled and mangeled a few verses of it myself a few times.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,An Irishman in Florida
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:01 PM

Martin, God bless you for going to the trouble and God Bless Brian for writing his songs

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 04:47 PM

I was talking to Brian recently and he said a CD version would appear "soon"! I'll let you know!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Mike Cox
Date: 15 Sep 05 - 03:40 PM

I'd love a digital version. I had it on tape years ago, but it got lost along the way. I still use some of the lines from the song in regular conversation. eg. "Ah sure the calf can milk the cow"="don't worry about it". Pure Class.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 25 May 05 - 09:54 AM

That programme was produced by Brian's wife Paula Carroll - herself a fine singer. Well worth a listen to hear some of the best of Irish writers of comic songs talking about their arts (or through their..)

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)
From: GUEST,joe lally
Date: 22 May 05 - 06:47 AM

although it doesn't contain the complete song there is an excellent radio programme which contains sections of "chantal". i think it was made originally by clare fm . however you can access it on the rte.ie website. the relevant page is www.rte.ie/radio1/story/1046278.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O' Rourke)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 May 05 - 09:22 AM

Now, who can supply the tune?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon
From: GUEST,Nenagh SIngersn Circle
Date: 19 May 05 - 07:24 AM

The original idea behind the club was to try to locate the missing female.

Well, the final club meeting was held in the Crane, I think in 2003, nad she was there.

Accordingly the club achieved its aim and has not met since.

brian has since written a magnificent song about a cow who was trapped in a hay barn in Carlow and reappeared some 5 months later after eating through bales for hay. She survived without water which is somewhat of miracle and still lives in Carlow. An hilarious song, not yet recorded.

George Henderson

Subject: Lyr Add: CHANTAL DU CHAMPIGNON (Brian O' Rourke)
From: GUEST,Wiredgoose
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 06:48 PM

OK, I've obviously too much time on my hands. Here's the exact version I have on tape, which has some extra verses and different words from the version already sent in here.

PS: thanks to "Guest" and Martin Ryan for making the task a lot easier.

CHANTAL DU CHAMPIGNON
(Brian O' Rourke)

1. Oh, one night in a bar I was having a jar
When my destiny it beckoned,
For a vision burst in on top of my thirst
And flattened me pint in a second.
'Twas a lady fair with short blonde hair
And her beauty would shame all queens,
With her glistening lips and her twisting hips
In her slim-fitting Levi jeans.

2. I slid off of me stool, observed me first rule:
I checked me fly and me fainne,
And got ready for a story, all glitter and glory,
Like Diarmuid agus Grainne.
Well, me opening line was, "Hiya, Sunshine.
How's it goin'? Me name is John."
And with a toss of her head this goddess said,
"I'm Chantal du Champignon."

3. "Oh, bedad," I said. "You're a thoroughbred.
You're no cavewoman from Cavan.
You're operatic, aristocratic and very aromatic,
So tell us what are ya havin'?"
From the furrow on her brow, I could see just how
She was torn between a short and a long.
"I'll have an Irish Coffee and a pint of Murphy,"
Said Chantal du Champignon.

4. She'd been hitching around and as yet she hadn't found
Any savages scouting for scalps.
She had scaled the peaks of Kildare and Leix,
Which left her homesick for the Alps.
She'd seen nearly all of Donegal
And learned "Slainte" and "Slan agus Beannacht",
When some racial purist who couldn't stand tourists
Told her go to hell or to Connacht.

5. So here she lands with a week on her hands
Before flying back to France,
And she'd like to get to know Galway and Mayo,
So, boys, I saw my chance.
I said, "I'm your man. I've a Hiace van,
And I've damn-all to do just now,
And me five-acre farm won't come to no harm.
Sure the calf can milk the cow.

6. "Oh, to you I'll show Galway and Mayo,
My privilege and my pleasure,
And for fear you'd grumble, sure I'll do like Cromwell,
And throw Clare in for good measure.
So to hell with the silage. Lets clock up some mileage.
You'll be as safe as with your Daddy."
She said, "I like you more than I did before.
I'll have a Smithwick's and a Paddy."

7. So next day we drove by creek and cove,
All along the western seaboard,
And the music of her voice was twice as nice
As the notes from any keyboard.
For example: "Oh, John, you turn me on.
You completely fill up my senses.
I can see in your eyes all the stars of the skies
Shining out through your contact lenses!"

8. I pulled up the van and she said, "Oh, John,
Please don't take it amiss."
I said, "That's not, you'll find, what I had in mind.
All I want to take is a kiss."
Well, her eyes shone bright and her teeth gleamed white
And her breath it smelled of garlic,
And she tore into me lips like fish and chips
In the shadows of Croagh Patrick.

9. Well, after such happiness, there was no stopping us.
We clocked up hundreds of miles.
We spent thousands of hours around round towers
Of various slants and styles.
Near passage graves and lakes and caves,
In historic and holy places,
Near saint and hero, we reduced to zero
The distance between our faces.

10. And 'twas in the county Clare, I do declare,
We drank many's the tasty beverage,
And the intensity of our propensity
Was way above the average.
Down in Curkambro (?) where the gales they blow,
And the rain fell fast and furious,
By all the gods above, she swore "undying love",
And I thought, "Jay, this is serious".

11. And at Poulnabrone, under twenty ton of stone,
We drank rainbow-coloured wines.
Oh, inside that dolmen, sure I pitied King Solomon.
He could keep his concubines.
Then I offered to show her the Cliffs of Moher
And she showed me a thing or two too,
And in O'Connor's of Doolin, she said, "I'm not foolin'.
I want to spend my life with you."

12. Well, the days flew fast and the week soon passed
Between one thing and another,
And she'd a plane to catch back to Paris-Match
To see her father and brother—and her two sisters and her mother.
So we loaded up the van with cheese and ham
And some six-packs from the fridge,
With a Guinness keg for the final leg
Of our amorous pilgrimage.

13. In the ruins of Clonfert, sure we had a little flirt.
I thought I heard Saint Brendan cheerin'.
And we discovered new joys in Clonmacnoise,
Courtesy of Saint Ciaran.
We drew into Dunlavin about twenty-five to seven
And dropped in to see my Uncle Ted,
And we hit Glendalough around eleven o'clock
And we slept in Saint Kevin's bed.

14. Diddle ow dow dow, Diddley ow dildi dildi
Diddle eye di diddley eye ay,
Skiddery eydil dudil dee, skiddery oudil dyay,
Skiddily eye di di di ay.

15. Well, next morning we were yawning as the day was dawning
And it dawned on me - Oh, she's going,
So we drove to the smoke where these words she spoke
Before she boarded the Boeing:
"I'll acquaint my parents with what's transpired,
And my paltry possessions I'll pack,
Then I'll return on wings of desire
And up with you I'll shack."

16. So that night I flew low through Athlone and Ballinasloe.
I was home in an hour and a half!
And although it was kinda late, I just had to celebrate,
So I killed the fatted calf,
And next day I booked a room for my upcoming honeymoon
Where no-one would be any wiser,
And in raptures and ruptures, I published me nuptials
In the Galway Advertiser!

17. For six days or seven, sure I thought I was in heaven.
I was trying it out for size,
But like every other lover, I was shortly to discover
'Twas an amadán's paradise,
For while I was thinking that the Kingdom had come,
And was chantin' "Alleluia,"
Chantal was listening to a different drum
And singing, "Johnny, I hardly knew ye!"

18. Well, I danced and I sang till the night she rang.
She said, "John, sit down on the sofa,
For I've got some news that will give you the blues.
In a nutshell, cherie, it's over.
On the plane coming back, I was told for a fact
By a man who was once your friend,
You spent two years in the loony bin,
Without marbles, round the bend."

19. "Oh, Chantal," says I, "you were told a lie,
Although it's neither here nor there.
'Twas five years I spent in the oxygen tent,
With a hole in me ozone layer.
But 'twas want of whoopee that had me loopy,
And sure you've sorted out that trouble,
So apply some fire to them wings of desire,
And get back here on the double."

20. "Oh, John," said she, "I quite agree
That you could do with a woman,
But if you think I'll be your shrink,
You've got another think coming.
Consider, besides, if I was your bride,
In forty years, I would 'ave no fun,
For I'm no more than twenty-four
And you are forty-one!

21. "Oh, yes, I know I'll miss your eyes and your kiss
And your fingers running through my hair,
But if I lost ze head in St. Kevin's bed,
I got it back in ze clear French air!
I got off that jet and my parents I met
And I got my act together.
I saw the line they would draw at a son-in-law
Who was a middle-aged Irish header.

22. "Oh, but as sure as I'm blonde, of you I'm still fond,
And I might even write - we'll see -
And I don't regret and I won't forget
Our petit coin du paradis.
Now, I'm in a little hurry - be happy, don't worry -
And think how much you have grown."
And when I opened me face to plead me case,
She put down the frigging phone!

23. Well, I staggered to the mirror and confronted there with terror
A pathetic poor put-upon paddy of a peasant,
So I made smithereens of her Levi jeans
That she gave me for a weddin' present.
And I made mincemeat of her other little treat:
Two lovely blue pottery goblets,
And I sat down and I wrote a suicide note,
And swallowed thirty-five quids' worth of tablets.

24. A week later I awoke and my heart it nearly broke
For I suddenly chanced to remember
I was in a proper mess for I hadn't her address,
Not to mind her telephone number.
So I took a quick look in the French phone book.
It was most unsatisfactory.
After all me research, I was still left in the lurch,
For her daddy was ex-directory.

25. Well, the days went by and there was I,
A wreck by any reckoning.
Sure I lost two stone sitting by the phone,
But the silence from France was deafening.
Oh, me breath I bated. For the post I waited,
All day and all night long,
But ne'er a letter nor a card came up the yard,
From Chantal du Champignon.

26. And then I tried to make a pass at her via our ambassador.
I explained I was besotted.
He was very sympathetic but said something about ethics,
And he told me to "get knotted."
Then I hired a spy whose fees were high,
To assist my research along.
Well, he collected his fees but came up no leads
On Chantal du Champignon.

27. Oh, was she down at heel in the town of Lille
Or at large in La Rochelle?
Lettin' down her hair in the Follies Bergere,
Belly-dancing her way to hell?
Was she singing ze blues, below in Toulouse,
Or picking pockets in Perpignan?
And, mein Gott! but what if her name was not
Chantal du Champignon?

28. Well, I'd lost the scent so gung-ho I went
To phone Monsieur Mitterand.
But I couldn't get through to the President
Although I threatened his aide-de-camp.
Then the towel I threw, I resigned, withdrew,
Although I had done no wrong.
Oh, I thought I had her taped - but the vixen she escaped
Like Marie de Robinson!

29. Now, an awful lot of water has been led to the slaughter
Since she led me this merry dance.
And I never took a wife, for I wasted me life
Looking out for a letter from France.
Oh, Chantal, Chantal, sure I love you still,
More than in the times that's gone.
Although you're going on eighty-four
And I'm tipping a hundred and one.

30. I've outlived all me mates, and I've lost all me slates,
And I'm back in the oxygen tent,
And me ozone holes are scoring own goals
In me pitch-black firmament.
There's more tears in me eyes than stars in the skies.
I've lost contact with me lenses.
But I'm sure I could get through a dark night with you
And recover my soul and me senses.

31. Now come all you middle-aged Irish nutters,
And a warning take by me.
Take care when you go out to get scuttered
In your local hostelry.
Don't be a fool. Stay up on your stool.
Sit tight and drink yourself stupid.
Give your number one to whiskey and rum
And don't waste your vote on Cupid!

32. And if by chance some goddess from France
With luminous short blond hair
Lights up your horizon - stick to your poison.
In two simple words - Beware!
Make no overture. Give no misguided tour,
'Cause Diarmuid agus Grainne went wrong!
And after all your mileage, she'll leave you sitting in your silage
Like Chantal du Champignon.

33. Oh, now, although you're jarred, please disregard
The advice I gave you just then,
Or you'll be stuck in first gear for a hundred years
Like a bloody old farmyard hen.
For when all is said and done, I once flew near the sun.
For one week, I was a swan.
I was on the wing and I learned to sing
With Chantal de Champignon.

34. Oh, Chantal, Chantal, I hope you're still me pal,
And don't think this song a blunder,
For I adore far more than I ever did before
The ground you walk on - or maybe lie under.
Oh, don't take a dim view. If I laugh at you,
What do you think I'm doing to me?
And, please God and Saint Kevin, sure we might find again in Heaven
Our petit coin du paradis, mon amour,
Our petit coin du paradis.

END.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon
From: GUEST,Wiredgoose
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 12:20 PM

Thanks Martin,
If you like, I'll tidy up the verses once I get a tape deck/walkman unearthed (moved house a year ago and still unpacking boxes!).

Pity there's no CD version -- if you know Brian tell him I'd gladly pay him his dues in order to get a digital version, and look forward to getting the lyrics to more of him compositions.

I'm at elicken 'at' wanadoo 'dot' fr if you want to take this offline (pardon the format but I'm hiding from spambots).

- Eoin Licken

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 03:25 PM

Eoin

I note that I promised to sort out the verses - and forgot! The sequence in the Jan. 28 post is nearly right, as far as I recall. Brian published the words in a booklet at the time - of which I have a copy. I know that he had plans for a CD version - but nothing has come of it as far as I know. He has other things on his mind at the momnt - including, I think, a set of stories about to be published!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon
From: GUEST,Wiredgoose
Date: 16 Apr 05 - 01:52 PM

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this thread, but just last week in Donegal heard the above masterpiece at a wedding and managed to wheedle a hissy cassette of this and other Brian O'Rourke songs from the singer.

I've been looking for the lyrics and a CD copy ever since, so this site is welcome. However, I do note that there are a few repetitions and several verses missing in the above. If noone else has the time or knowledge to correct it, I'll undertake to do so in coming days (from here in the French Alps, appropriately!!!).

Anyway, does anyone know of a CD or mp3 copy? I'd love to get Chantal and Drumsnot on my iPod so I can soak them into my memory.

- Eoin Licken, France.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon
From: MartinRyan
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 02:55 PM

OK.
Some minor changes from the original - and one or two verses swappped. I'll sort it out later.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 05 - 08:25 AM

GUEST

That looks about right - I'll check later today and confirm. I had intended sorting them out as there was a bit of confusion with the earlier verses.

Regards