Lyr Req: The Tinker's Poitin / Tinker's Poteen

Subject: Lyr Req: The Tinker's Poitin
From: Mick G
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 06:21 PM

Several people coming back from Ireland have asked our Baltimore folk band "The Spalpeens" to sing "The Tinker's Poitin" It's a song they have heard in pubs. Supposedly an old old song. I can't find any reference to it on the web. Has anyone heard it or can anyone supply lyrics, tune, source, etc?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Tinker's Poitin
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 06:32 PM

Might the song be "The Tinker's Poteen"?

Second down on this link. Sound there, too.

Don't know how old it is, though.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Tinker's Poitin
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 06:50 PM

Poitin is another word for poteen, btw.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Tinker's Poitin
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 07:55 PM

It's on the album "The Leprachaun" by a group called Sullivan's Gypsies", who I gather were (are?) a Canadian group consisting of Don Sullivan (bass, vocals), Garrett Kavanagh (vocals), Fergus O'Byrne (banjo, harpsicord, organ) and Dremot O'Reilly (lead guitar, mandolin, bass).

The album is on the Astor Gold Star Series (in Australia, that is) and I think I bought it about the late seventies.

It also has THE best version of Danny Boy I have ever heard.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Tinker's Poitin
From: Mr Happy
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 08:11 PM

A Poi Tin is a receptacle used in Polynesia for keeping food in.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poi_%28food%29

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Tinker's Poitin
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 11:18 PM

"Originally known as Sullivan's Gypsies, Fergus O'Byrne, Dermot O'Reilly and Denis Ryan renamed themselves Ryan's Fancy when they moved from Ireland to Newfoundland, Canada. The trio's albums include Ryan's Fancy Sung by Sullivan's Gypsys (1970), Dark Island (1971), Looking Back (1972), Newfoundland Drinking Songs (1973), Times to Remember (1973), Ryan's Fancy Live (1975), Brand New Songs (1977), A Time with Ryan's Fancy (1979), Sea People (1980) and Dance Around This One (1981). ~ John Bush, All Music Guide "

from Answers.com

Subject: Lyr Add: TINKER'S POTEEN
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Mar 07 - 10:07 PM

Lyrics copied from Mo & O'Malley's Irish Pub [Norfolk, VA] Songbook:

TINKER'S POTEEN
(Benny Lynch)

I was born a tinker. I'll tell you no lie:
A tinker I'll live and a tinker I'll die.
Don't get me wrong; I carry no shame.
The Lord made me a tinker and I'm proud of my name.

My father brewed poteen on Bessy Bell Brae.
When I was twelve to me he did say:
"Son, you're of age, it's plain to be seen.
It's time that I taught you how to make the poteen."

Well, he taught me the trade and I learned it well.
I make the finest poteen any tinker could sell,
And I use the same still as my dad used before.
Sure it's been in the family a hundred years or more.

Well, I sold my poteen from Derry to Cobh,
From Donegal to Dublin, and around by Mayo.
Through the thirty-two counties I'm free to roam.
The poteen's my living and the roadside's my home.

I married a tinker, a colleen so fair.
Her father and mother were tinkers from Clare,
And to have me a son was my fondest dream.
I would love teaching him how to make the poteen.

I will teach him the trade of the tinker's poteen.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Tinker's Poitin
From: GUEST,Fergus
Date: 16 May 07 - 01:43 PM

http://www.donsullivan.co.uk/bio.htm

Tinker's Poteen was actually written by Don Sullivan, see the site above.