{"id":2365,"date":"2020-04-29T14:01:53","date_gmt":"2020-04-29T14:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/?page_id=2365"},"modified":"2020-10-31T15:27:52","modified_gmt":"2020-10-31T15:27:52","slug":"the-waterford-boys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/folksongandmusichall.com\/index.php\/the-waterford-boys\/","title":{"rendered":"Waterford boys (The)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AKA<\/strong><\/td>Boys of devotion (sic)
Wrestling with rats<\/td><\/tr>
First published<\/td>1865<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Lyrics<\/strong><\/td>Harry Clifton<\/td>Music<\/strong><\/td>Harry Clifton <\/td>Roud<\/strong><\/td>RN3107<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Music Hall performers<\/strong><\/td>Harry Clifton<\/td><\/tr>
Folk performances<\/strong><\/td>Source singers:<\/strong>
JW Green, 1935, Michigan USA
Albert Conray, 1942, Maine USA
Frank Knox, ca1950, Newfoundland
Paddy Tunney, 1965,Co. Fermanagh, N Ireland
Modern folk performances:<\/strong>
Dubliners, rec 1985
Tom Dahill, rec 1995
Seamus Creagh, rec 2008<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Well boys for diversion we've all met together,\nI'll tell how from Waterford hither I came,\nI crossed the Big Ocean in dark gloomy weather,\nMy heart it was light and my pockets the same,\nSad at leaving Old Ireland but once more on dry land,\nBy the roadside a tavern I happened to spy,\nAnd as I was melting, my pockets I felt in,\nThe price of a drink I was mortally dry.\n\nFor we are the boys of Fun, Wit and such eloquence,\nDrinking and Dancing and all other Joys,\nFor Ructions Destruction Diversion and Devilment,\nWho can compare with The Waterford Boys.<\/em>\n\nIn the tavern I strolled, out the master he rolled,\n'Morrow says he and says I if you please,\nProvide me a bed but first bring me some bread,\nAnd a bottle of porter and a small piece of cheese,\nFor times they are queer and provisions are dear\nIf you cannot get meet with cheese be content\nSays the landlord \"You're right\" so he brought me the bite\nI rolled up my cuffs and at it I went\n\nMy bread and cheese ended I then condescended,\nTo take my repose so I asked for a light,\nAnd soon in a doze, I was  under my clothes,\nI popped in my toes and I popped out the light.\nBut waking from sleeping, I heard something creeping,\nMeandering and wandering about my bed post,\nSqueaking and scratching thinks I 'mid my watching\n'Pon my conscience you've mighty long claws for a ghost.\n\nMy breath I suspended, the noise it soon ended,\nI ventured to peep from beneath the bed clothes,\n\"Millea Murther\" what's that? A jumping jack rat\nWith one leap from the floor jumped right up to my nose.\"\nThunder sweep ye, says I, for a scheming older vagabone\nTake that, and that, as I lept on the floor, \nShouting murder and fire, Tim, Jerry, Mariah,\nThe rats are eating me up by the score\n\nThe landlord affrightened came with a light in\nI'm murdered alive says I, so must away;\nSays he, before going I'd have you been knowing, \nFor your supper and bed you've five shillings to pay:\n\"Five shillings for what, Och don't be disgracing,\nYourself for a rogue, says I if you please,\nWhen I can't sleep for rats, you've a brazen old face on you,\nTo charge me five shillings for dry bread and cheese. \"\n\nSays he, perish the rats I wish they would leave me\nThey ruin my trade and I'm not worth a rap,\nSays I, \"The five shillings would you forgive me,\nAnd I'll tell you a way to keep out every rat.\"\n\"Agreed\" then said I, \"to supper invite them,\nAnd plain bread and cheese set before them be sure,\nDon't mind if they're willing, but charge them five shilling,\nBad luck to the rat you'll never see more.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
This song has probably been a mainstay of the traditional Irish traditional repertoire since it was written in the 1860s. It has been collected from source singers both in Ireland and from the N. American continent, perhaps reflecting its popularity in the Irish emigrant community there. It has appeared regularly in broadsides and song books since it was written.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harry Clifton<\/a> was popular in Ireland and performed or wrote a whole series of songs which became seen as traditional Irish songs: The Waterford boys; Lannigan’s Ball <\/em>(though there is some dispute about this one); The Wedding of Biddy McGrane<\/em> and Darby Maguire<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n