School: St Peter's, Phibsboro

Location:
Phibsborough, Co. Dublin
Teacher:
Ss. Breathnach
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0799, Page 169

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0799, Page 169

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  1. XML School: St Peter's, Phibsboro
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  3. XML “A Satrical Rhyme”

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  1. Luke Callan, rhymester of the Townland of Kednagullin, Parish of Donaghmoyne, County of Monaghan, died about 40 years ago.
    It is related that while employed as a hired servant with a farmer, one Macardle of the townland of Toame he experienced a trying time owing to the farmer's habitual stinginess in the matter of food. One day in company with a fellow servant he set down to a meal which was more meagre than usual; it consisted of potatoes and a herring placed on a wide, flat basket between the two men. As the farmer was passing out he chanced to hear some uncomplimentary remark from Callan and turning round upbraided him for not saying grace. Callan in reply burst into extempore rhyme as follows;
    Addressing the herring.
    "There you lie you poor wee fry
    You closed your eye when you to die,
    Your back is bruak* and your belly's tore
    And I see no grace* to heal your sore
    But on these lines I need not race,
    So sweet bad luck to your narra' face"
    *broken *grease (butter)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. genre
      1. poetry
        1. folk poetry (~9,504)
    2. products
      1. food products (~3,601)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    J. Walsh
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Crescent Villas, Co. Dublin