Lyr Req: Biddy McGrath

Subject: Biddy McGrath
From:
Date: 24 Feb 99 - 01:11 PM

Hi

I am looking for the words of Biddy McGrath

I know it starts as follows

"I will tell you a story that will give you all a shock Its about this woman from the ringsend dock the lady in question is biddy mcgrath she strangled three sailors with the straps of her bra"

If anybody knows the lyrics I would love to receive them

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Willie-O
Date: 24 Feb 99 - 03:59 PM

An Irish friend of mine sings this, I always thought it was "Biddy McGraw". Not in the DT, not very trad with the line "she hiked up her miniskirt and ran like hell".

I don't think I have the lyrics but I'll check.

Bill

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Paul
Date: 24 Feb 99 - 09:22 PM

Thanks Bill, it could be McGraw

I am sing the first few lines when I am drunk and would love to know the rest.

Thanks

Paul

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 25 Feb 99 - 03:48 AM

Dominic Behan sang this song. We got a version from an Irish pub landlord in Aston, Birmingham, (UK) in the 70s, which - I can't remember! - but it started:

Oh have you heard of Biddy McGra'
Who strangled two fellers in the straps of her bra?
She wrapped the straps 'round the one feller's head
And flung him in the Liffey like a crust of bread!
With me too-ri-a, fol-a-diddle-da,
Too-ri-oo-ri-oo-ri-a.

She goes home and tells her mum what happened, and Mum says, "Thank heaven you was wearing your bra!"; Somebody must know the rest of it. But don't get the idea that girls in Brum used to go about with no brazzies on!

Steve

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Philippa
Date: 26 Feb 99 - 10:48 AM

I remember Eileen Shiels singing this song in Derry. Just thought I'd keep this thread up front until someone supplies more verses. Eirenua, don't forget to keep abreast of your thread (even though you've given an e-mail address)

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: eirenua32
Date: 26 Feb 99 - 11:22 PM

Thanks

Philipa

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Henry
Date: 28 Feb 99 - 09:29 PM

I personally dont know all the words but ive heard and sung along during many family singalongs my sister will have all the words and chords email her im sure she would be glad to help ill get lyrics and post them tomorrow march 1

Subject: Lyr Add: BIDDY MCGRAW
From: Den
Date: 28 Feb 99 - 10:37 PM

This is most of the version that I know:

Now heres a story that’s bound to shock
It’s all about a murder at the Abercorn Dock
The woman in question young Biddy McGraw
She murdered two sailors with the straps of her bra

With me touriah fall da diddle ah
With me touriah ouriah ouriagh

She put the strap of her bra
‘round the first sailor’s head
and she through him in the Lagan
like a lump of lead
The second sailor laughed
and said aha and down his throat
went the rest of her bra

(chorus)

I know there is a verse about going home to her parents and confessing to the evil deed but I can't remember it.
The last verse goes sometjing like:

So before the judge
the very next day
he said young woman
now you'll have to pay

I'll sentence you now
young Biddy Mc Graw
to be hung by the neck
by the straps of your bra

(chorus)

I hope this helps. Den

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: O'Boyle
Date: 01 Mar 99 - 04:56 PM

Fyi: you all are correct. In irish, "McGrath" is most times pronounced "McGraw". This also applies to the songs "Mrs Mcgrath" and "Master McGrath". Thus explaining in the latter song such lines/rhymes as "For you nobles of England we don't care a straw/ Here's 5000 to 1 on Master McGrath."

Rick

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Frank McGrath
Date: 01 Mar 99 - 06:36 PM

Now this is one subject where I know I really am an expert.

McGRATH is pronounced,
McGRAA

Pronouncing the AA as in BAA (sheep) or RA the ancient Egyptian God.

McGraw is a well known variation of the name that is mostly found in the USA. There is no doubt the pronunciation is close us McGrath's are very a very sensitive and nit-picky family.

Unfortunately I neither know nor am I closely related to the bold Biddy. Which is most unfortunate as she seemed to be a lively lass.

Regards
Frank McGrath

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From:
Date: 01 Mar 99 - 06:44 PM

thanks guys you are awesome

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: O'Boyle
Date: 02 Mar 99 - 01:18 AM

or should you say ATH-some

Subject: Lyr Add: BIDDY MCGRATH
From: marion
Date: 02 Mar 99 - 05:52 AM

i can remember some of the words which go
oh i'll tell you a story that will give you a shock
oh its all about a murder in the Ringsend dock
the girl in question was Biddy McGrath
she strangled two sailors with the straps of her bra

With a tooriah etc

She put one strap round a big fella's head
and she threw him in the Liffey like a crust of bread
When she told the story to her ma and her da
she said thanks be to jaysus that i wore me bra

they sent for Biddy the very next day
and the judge said Biddy you will have to pay
I sentence you Miss Biddy McGrath,
to hang from the gallows by the straps of your bra

I know there's some more to it but i cant remember
perhaps this will jog someone else's memory, if not i have
a friend who might have the rest of the words but i wont see her for a week or two

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Paul
Date: 02 Mar 99 - 07:53 AM

Thanks Marion

If you could email me that would be awesome

it is [e-mail]

Thanks for your help

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 02 Mar 99 - 07:56 AM

And don't forget to let the rest of us know as well!!

Steve

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Mike Ireland
Date: 02 Mar 99 - 08:15 AM

Hi Frank

Funny old world - the way people say things.

My name is pronounced McGrath - as in rath.

In a shop in England I handed a piece of paper with my name on it to a shop assistant and she asked me why McGrath was always pronounced McGraa and I had to tell her that she had picked the wrong person to ask as my name was pronounced McGrath.

All my relatives across Ireland, England and America use the rath ending.

Regards Mike McGrath

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 02 Mar 99 - 10:56 AM

More to the point, perhaps: why is it spelled McGrath? The "Mc" or "Mac" indicates an Irish name with an Anglicised spelling. How would you spell it in the original form?

Steve

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: O'Boyle
Date: 02 Mar 99 - 08:53 PM

There are various spellings of the name in Irish including MacRaith and Magraith. If I remember correctly, (I dated a girl named McGrath, not Biddy, but a similar disposition) the family comes from Donegal and/or Fermanaugh. Here in southern California, there is a family of Irish folk singing McGraths. Their bands include The McGrath Brothers, The Wrath of McGrath, and Irish Eyes.

Slainte

Rick

Subject: Lyr Add: BIDDY MAC GRATH / MCGRATH / MCGRAW
From: Bill Whittaker
Date: 06 Mar 99 - 08:47 PM

This is from "Ballads from the Pubs of Ireland" published by Mercier Press

Now I'll tell you a story that is bound to shock
It's all about a murder on the Rings-end Dock.
I'll tell the story of Biddy Mac Grath
who strangled two sailors with the straps of her bra
with me toor-i-aa, fol-the-did-dle-ahh.
Toor-i-oor-i-toor-i-aah.

They tried to dope her with foreign liquor
But even at that they couldn't lick her
She remembered she was told by her Ma and Da
To keep both of her hands on the straps of her bra.

She put the straps of her bra around the big fella's neck
And tossed him in the Liffy like a crust of bread
Then the small fella came up and said 'Hee-Haw'
So she stuffed his gob with the rest of her bra.

She went home that night about a quarter to one
Happy and contented with a job well done
She told the story to her Ma and her Da
They said 'Thank God that you wore your bra.'

Now come all you young girls who like a sailor by night
Never wear the straps of your bra too tight
Remember the story of Biddy Mac Grath
-Keep both of your hands on the straps of your bra.

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From:
Date: 07 Mar 99 - 03:21 PM

Bill

Thank you very much, you have made me a happy man.

And just in time for St Patricks Day.

Paul

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Jeanie
Date: 17 May 02 - 08:56 AM

So pleased to find these lyrics on Mudcat ! And here's why :

Reported in the British press today: "Doctors say men run the risk of injuring themselves when they take off a woman's bra. A report in the British Journal of Plastic surgery says that one patient at St. George's Hospital, London, suffered major ligament damage and a facture to one of his fingers while completing the task. The man ended up with his finger in a splint for three weeks after the injury, which is commonly associated with rock climbing."

The article also quotes surveys which have found that "40% of men in their 30's and 40's have problems removing bras. Men spent an average of 27 seconds taking off a bra when using both hands. Right-handed men using their left hand averaged 58 seconds, while one volunteer took 20 minutes."

Mere ligament damage ? Finger in splint for three weeks ? I reckon his girlfriend needs to take a few lessons from Biddy !

- jeanie

P.S. Where do they get these volunteers from ? I never seem to see these things advertised ...

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 May 02 - 08:59 AM

If they're gonna get hurt like that, they oughtta quit wearing them, then!

~S~

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: Jeanie
Date: 17 May 02 - 09:12 AM

These are *British* men, Susan, not Canadian lumberjacks !

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: michaelr
Date: 17 May 02 - 10:54 PM

Where's McGrath of Harlow when you need him?

Subject: RE: Biddy McGrath
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 May 02 - 07:00 AM

Anso. That's four McGrath songs I've come across - Master, Mrs, Eileen Og and this.

I'd imagine this is a worked up version of a girls' playground rhyme, for skipping or some activity like that. But I wouldn't know. We only had boys in the schools I was at.

I've a suspicion there's a touch of the urban legend in that story of the fella with the fractured finger. Anyway here is the British Journal of Plastic Surgery in case anyone fels motivated to do some further research on it.