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about

While driving the I-35 in Texas, from Austin to Dallas-Fort Worth, Máirtín learnt this number from Jimmy Crowley. “It was much easier to learn it while I was driving,” says Máirtín. The song itself comes from Cúil Aodha around 1944. Cork then had a fierce celebration at Shrove time, pre-Lenten weddings were formerly popular, a custom seemingly connected to the canonical prohibition on the solemn celebration of the sacrament of matrimony during Lent, and pranks might be played on those still unwed at that time. But, what if Shrovetide went by and you were still single when Ash Wednesday dawned? It was popular opinion in those times, that this was a major neglect of your social duty to the community; but, you could make amends by "Going to the Skelligs." These Rocky islands off the coast of County Kerry had 12 days special dispensation from Rome for they were still going by the old calender. Jimmy got this song on the promise he would never sing it around Cúil Aodha and Baile Mhuiren. It is now passed on to Máirtín with no such constraints!

lyrics

Oh ,Shrove 44 it went on in great style,
It went on for three weeks and a fortnight.
I think I’ll get married but hold on a while,
‘Tis better hold tough and be cautious.
Although we are living in critical times;
The oceans around us are swaming with mines;
I think I’ll go forgien to pick up a wife,
The ones around home are no bargain.

Now the first one that called was from Screathan na nGamhan
She was only a shoemaker's daughter
She had two bandy collups like the banks of the Nile
And a very short fall to her waters.
She’d be seen every Sunday going down to first Mass,
Her walk it ‘twas quick with a wag in her arse-
They say she would take the odd roll in the grass
With Tadgheen the stal from Doirín Álainn

The second that came she was rushing for time
She ran all the way from Uibh Ráthach
Her dress it was torn from a bucko from Gleann
And her arse was exposed to the strom.
In her long boney finger she held the long bead
And loudly she chanted the Apostles’ Greed
Saying, “Send me a husband of very high breed,
Before the daylight in the morning.”

Now, who is this coming ‘tis getting so late
Is it Katie or Molly or Mary?
You’d know by their whiskers, they’re well out of date;
They looking downhearted and lonely.
Sure, they’re there since the famine of Black ‘48
But as the old fella says, “Sure, ‘tis never too late!
Take ‘Em down to stal Downey and get them to mate,
And he’ll give them a slap of his detail.

credits

from i l​á​r an aonaigh, released December 25, 2009

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The Fuchsia Band Cork, Ireland

The Fuchsia Band are 4 lads from Cork who play, sing and have the craic through Traditional Irish Music.

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