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29 Aug 97 - 02:08 AM (#11464) Subject: LYR ADD: The king of Ballyhooley From: Wolfgang THE KING OF BALLYHOOLEY I'll tell yez how it was with me if to listen yez are willin' 'Twas in yon house behind yon hill where I had lately been distillin' I slung a keg upon me back and started out for daylight cooly Good customers I did not lack and I sold it all in Ballyhooley I thought it wiser to delay me homeward way for fear of Peelers And in that way I spent the day dinin' with the whiskey dealers But as the shades of night came down and I had got me money duly I bid goodnight to all was there and I started home from Ballyhooley My heart was light with the Mountain Dew that I had brewed among the heather And on me way I chanced to spy a lad and lassie walk together Her neck was like the mountain snow with cheeks like roses blossomed newly She'd a voice like music soft and low she was the flower of Ballyhooley This young man quickly left her side And still the lassie did not hide it was in love with me that she was Then quickly up beside her came says I fair maid I love you truly And if your parents give consent will you be my bride in Ballyhooley I have a house behind yon hill two fine greyhonds and a ferret Besides I have a little still the drop it makes with you I'll share it And I have got a feather bed with sheets and blankets purchased newly Besides I have a ring to wed if you'll be mine in Ballyhooley Her cherry cheeks they grew more red during the time that we were talkin' And still she hung her little head and viewed the ground where we were walkin' She says young man if you're content and if you say you love me truly And if me parents give consent I'll be your bride in Ballyhooley I asked her name she said it was Jane and that her second name was Cooley And then I asked her when we'd wed she said the sooner wed the better So I went and asked her parents glad if they were content to let me get her They said they were they wished us luck we started out for Father Dooley And at the hour of twelve o'clock he tied the knot in Ballyhooley The Weddin' that we had that day the people comin' uninvited The piper played for every squad Jane she sang and I recited The poteen flowed like a waterfall that from the still had just come newly And in that way we gaily spent our honeymoon in Ballyhooley The Weddin' presents that we got none of them was mean or shabby And me Auntie Dot she bought some cloth to make the dresses for the baby Invitations then went round to friends that we had just made newly A lighter heart could not be found that mine that night in Ballyhooley It's fifteen years now since we wed still in every way we're thrivin' Me Jane she is a dandy yet though down the hill of life she's drivin' The family has increased in store fifteen daughters all unruly Bonny Jane she is me Queen and I'm the king of Ballyhooley. Sung by Patrick Street on "Irish Times" -------------------- Background: Heard on the radio many years ago, sung by a man from Donegal in which country this particular Ballyhooley is situated. I am greatly indebited to an old friend, Johnny Moynihan, who is largely responsible for the song's current shape. |
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21 Oct 98 - 11:35 AM (#42660) Subject: RE: LYR ADD: The king of Ballyhooley From: cleod You missed a line somewheres; it's:
This young man quickly left her side he was afraid of me that he was Thanks for putting this up Wolfgang! You're a lifesaver! cleod |
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18 Jun 99 - 03:16 PM (#87733) Subject: Lyr Add: King of Ballyhooley From: cleod Saw this in the database, and this verse had one line missing: This young man quickly left her side. He was afraid of me that he was. And still the lassie did not hide. It was in love with me that she was. Then quickly up beside her came. Says I, "Fair maid, I love you truly; And if your parents give consent, will you be my bride in Ballyhooley?" |
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19 Apr 05 - 02:36 AM (#1465022) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The King of Ballyhooley From: Joe Offer I added Cleod's additonal line to Wolfgang's post, but the song made it into the Digital Tradition without the missing line. Are there any other corrections to be made to the lyrics before I submit a correction? In another thread, Malcolm said the tune used for The King of Ballyhooley is essentially the same as Lurgan Town in the DT. Is the songwriter known, or is this traditional, or what? I couldn't find it listed in the usual songbook indexes. -Joe Offer- |
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19 Apr 05 - 05:47 AM (#1465111) Subject: RE: DT Correction: The King of Ballyhooley From: GUEST,Martin Ryan Joe As far as I know, it's traditional. I'll check around. Regards |
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19 Apr 05 - 07:29 AM (#1465165) Subject: RE: DT Correction: The King of Ballyhooley From: GUEST,Martin Ryan Whatever about Lurgan Town , the tune is also used for a song called "Wearing the britches". Can't remember what it's known as dance tune. Regards |
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19 Apr 05 - 09:25 AM (#1465261) Subject: RE: DT Correction: The King of Ballyhooley From: Den Actually the line should read, "It was afraid", as below: This young man quickly left her side. It was afraid of me that he was. And still the lassie did not hide. It was in love with me that she was. Then quickly up beside her came. Says I, "Fair maid, I love you truly; And if your parents give consent, will you be my bride in Ballyhooley?" |
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19 Apr 05 - 09:34 AM (#1465272) Subject: RE: DT Correction: The King of Ballyhooley From: Den Also we're missing a "we" in the first line second last verse. As in,"The wedding presents that we got none of them were mean or shabby." I love this song. Great to sing, so upbeat.
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22 Jun 06 - 11:03 AM (#1766578) Subject: RE: DT Correction: The King of Ballyhooley From: GUEST Thank you all for getting this together! Very nice. |