School: Ballygarvan (C.) (roll number 9830)

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1. John Maher (continued)

   

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   I roamed as far west as that place called Crossbarry,
   In sweet Ballyheda, I am very well known,
   And in Ballygarvan, likewise Ballingarry,
   And also in Tracton where the Abbey lies low.

   There's a name in Sliabh Rú, called the land of "Shilléla",
   Where oft times I turned like the swift-footed hare,
   I sat down by the ditch, making verses for Healy,
   Who told me no songster with me can compare.

   In the year '64 I accepted the shilling;
   At Cork's royal barracks, they entered my corps,
   In less than no time I got good at the drilling;
   The boys knew my ways, and they bothered me sore.

   One day at the mess with the rest I was feeding,
   Some rogue blew a trumpet, quite close to my ear,
   And I nothing else of the victuals was heeding,
   The sound made me leap, like a fierce stricken deer.

   I leaped o'er the wall, like I would o'er the table,
   My Uncles in Togher, they took me next day,
   To make me do duty, they all were not able,
   And then they allowed me to go on my way.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Mary Dempsey

   Gender

   Female

   Age

   13

   Address

   Ballea, Co. Cork