Lyr Req: Michael Fagan / Palace Prowler

Subject: Lyr Req: LYRICS/WORDS TO SONG 'MICHAEL FAGAN'
From: GUEST,ray
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 01:17 PM

Hi There,

I am looking for the lyrics/words to the song "Michael Fagan".

The song is a about a true story where an Irsihman broke in Buckingham Palace and actually sat on the queens bed and had a chat with her.

Another i have heard for the song was "The Palace Prowler".

I would be very greatful if you could help me out.

Slainte, Ray.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: LYRICS/WORDS TO SONG 'MICHAEL FAGAN'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 02:53 PM

Hi, Ray - I swear that song has been posted here, but I can't find it. No doubt, somebody will come up with it. You can find an interesting retelling of the story here (click).
In the meantime, take a look at Corgi and have a chuckle.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: LYRICS/WORDS TO SONG 'MICHAEL FAGAN'
From: GUEST,ray
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 01:40 PM

Hi There,

Can anyone help me please with the lyrics for the song "Michael Fagan".

The song relates to an alleged true story where and Irishman was said to have broke into Buckinghame Palace and sat on the Queens bed.

I would be very grateful if you could help me out.

Slainte, Ray.

Subject: RE: LYRICS/WORDS TO SONG 'MICHAEL FAGAN'
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 01:41 PM

refresh

Subject: words to song 'Michael Fagan'
From: GUEST,ray
Date: 02 Nov 02 - 10:39 AM

Can anyone help me please with the lyrics for the song "Michael Fagan".

The song relates to an alleged true story where and Irishman was said to have broke into Buckinghame Palace and sat on the Queens bed.

I would be very grateful if you could help me out.

Slainte, Ray.

Subject: RE: words to song 'Michael Fagan'
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 02 Nov 02 - 06:25 PM

The incident certainly took place, just a few years ago, and IIRR Elizabeth II was in her bed at the time. Fagan (sp?) was pronounced of unsound mind or something, and I believe a few heads rolled (figuratively speaking ...) because he'd managed to get in at all, let alone to the Queen's bedroom, entirely undetected. But I haven't come across a song about it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MICHAEL FAGAN
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 03:13 AM

Duplicate threads combined.
Ray - please start one thread per subject. If you don't get an answer right away, come back a few days from now and put Fagan in the Filter box and set the age back. Then post a new message to the thread (Refresh, if you can't think of something new), and the thread will move to the top of the Forum Menu. One "refresh" a day is OK, not more.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MICHAEL FAGAN
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 07:40 AM

Ray, where/how did you hear (about) the song? Has it been recorded/ who sang it?

A bit more information might help us to locate a source for the words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MICHAEL FAGAN
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Nov 02 - 09:51 AM

You can read the true story of Michael Fagan here. Maybe there's a detail there that will jog someone's memory and help us find the song. (At least it confirms we've got the man's name right.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: MICHAEL FAGAN
From: Gda Music
Date: 31 Dec 11 - 06:26 PM

As there is yet no answer to the original very old request in this thread for the lyrics, I`m sure that during the intervening time many must by now have come across the answer. Even so I think it well worth recalling the day of *Philip my dear*, as the Mighty Sparrow suggests in this stage performance "the Palace Guard were playing hopscotch in the yard!"

Sparrow with his clear diction in this calypso does make it an easy task to transcribe should one need to.

GJ

Subject: Lyr Add: PHILLIP MY DEAR (Mighty Sparrow)
From: Gda Music
Date: 28 Sep 12 - 04:52 PM

Events at Buckingham Palace, 9th July 1982 - Michael Fagan on the prowl!.

*PHILLIP MY DEAR* - (A man in me bedroom)
(Francisco / Devine)

Phillip my dear, last night I thought was you in here
Were did you go working for good old England
Missing out all the action
My dear do you know
There was a man in me bedroom
Wearing you shoe, trying on the royal costume
Dipping in the royal perfume
Ah telling you true
There was a man in me bedroom
Anxious for a rendezvous and I thought it was you

CHORUS

   He big just like you but younger
   He thick just like you but stronger
   He lingay like you but harder
   He lay-lay like you but badder
   A man in me bedroom
   He came on the bed doo-doo and I took him for you

The palace guard were playing hop-scotch in the yard
Abandon the throne me with this perfect stranger
The jewel was in danger
For I was alone
With a man in me bedroom
Loaded with brew
Yes this mal-odourus urchin
On top ah me bed was perching
Like a cock-a-too
A man in me bedroom
Sorry dear I misconstrued when I took him for you

In Buckingham, no one respond to the alarm
So this plunderer
Displayed inside me boudoir   
A tool made for agriculture
I stood there in awe
With a man in me bedroom
Seven feet or more
He told me come hither and foil
And all me good linen he soiled
He was so obscene
There was a man in me bedroom
So nasty and mean singing now God go save the Queen

Evidently I suffered great indignity
From this commoner
Instead of be free in London
He should be put in a dungeon
Under the tower
There was a man in me bedroom
Enjoying the view
This vicious immoral scoundrel
Son of a common mongrel
Scared me through and through
There was a man in me bedroom
Your input was overdue and I thought it was you.

THE FACTS    -      http://history1900s.about.com/od/1980s/a/queensintruder.htm

THE MUSIC    -      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1A7eBmpXJw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael Fagan / Palace Prowler
From: LadyJean
Date: 29 Sep 12 - 05:05 PM

In Victoria's Reign, there were a couple of boys who got into the palace and LIVED there for a few days, before they were noticed. There was a sentimental movie made about it, "The Mudlark".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael Fagan / Palace Prowler
From: zozimus
Date: 29 Sep 12 - 07:19 PM

Here is a link to the song "The Queen's Bed" sung by Tim Quan in the Goilin Singers Club written by a Wexford man.
                                              Enjoy
http://youtu.be/3A4P0pjF984

Subject: Lyr Add: THE QUEEN'S BED
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Jun 20 - 11:51 AM

These are my transcriptions. I found the first version on Spotify:

THE QUEEN'S BED

I. As recorded by Paul O'Reilly on "The Poet's Dream" (2009)

1. I once sat down for to write a song with a foolscap sheet and my pencil bare.
I scratched my head for God knows how long but not a more(?) subject I found there.
I allowed my mind to ramble free through heroes bold and ladies fair.
'Twas then I got my inspiration from Charles Mitchel o'er the air.

CHORUS: Who was the man sittin' in the queen's bed? How many times was he there before?
If he wasn't gettin' somethin' nice, why did he keep goin' back for more?

2. They say he asked her for a fag but he only meant a cigarette,
So she stepped in to somehow drag and rang the bodyguard to get,
But the bloody bell was out of order and hadn't worked for quite some time.
Now I don't know if they've fixed it yet, but I hear they've locked up all the wine.

3. The question that was posed by many: where was Phillip on that morn?
Some say he hadn't slept with her since the last young prince to her was born.
But I think she still was fond of Fagan, for she never screamed or hollered "Thief!"
If a woman can't get home assistance she must get total(?) relief.

4. Well, there isn't very many reasons a man would be in a woman's bed.
He was either tired an' sleepin' or searchin' for the maidenhead;
But we're not supposed to talk like that, for after all she is the queen,
But I wouldn't put me walkin'-stick in the place where poor old Fagan's been.

II. As sung by Tim Quan on YouTube.

No significant differences from the above, except:

Verse 1, lines 2-3:
I struggled for some inspiration; nothin' unto me appeared.
I thought of kings and queens of ancient, and common folk just to compare.

Verse 2 line 2:
She went through and somehow ragged(?)….

Verse 3 line 3:
Still I think she was kind of fond of Fagan….

Verse 4 line 2:
He's either settlin' down for sleep….

- - -
I am still not satisfied with verse 3 line 4. I don't think the word is "total" but I can't make out what it is. I suspect it is some term from the Irish welfare or health care system.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Michael Fagan / Palace Prowler
From: cnd
Date: 12 Jun 20 - 04:54 PM

Verse 1 line 2 is "no theme or subject I found there"

Also, for verse 2 line 2, I think it could be "So she slipped in to somehow drink..." I think that works because it explains the reference to locking up wine in line 4.

Also, unfortunately I can't help a ton with verse 3 line 4. I understand your suspicion of the line, but I can't think of anything better.