School: Béal an Átha Móir (B.)

On this page

1. Humorous Verses about the Cavan and Leitrim Light Railway

   

   Share Share Tweet

   Composed by O Rourke, N.J, Drumhollowan, Cloone, whose son, Patrick kept the Central Bar, Ballinamore. Part of the inspiration came from the Central Bar. Mr. O Rourke, the poet, made many fine poems. He was one of the best local poets for the past 80 years. He was born about 18.. and died 19..
   I hope to get a few more of them His grand-daughter, Mrs. Peter Gallagher teaches ?ruim ?uib ?ír School, 3 miles from B'more and lives in Ballinamore.

   I

   Ye jovial tourists who seek the purest
   And grandest scenery in the land,
   Pray pay attention whilst here I mention
   A mode of travelling which will suit you grand.

   II

   Not the motor I'm going to vote for
   Nor the premier cycle though all the rage
   But my advice is whatever the price is
   Go buy a ticket on the Narrow Gauge

   III

   Just travel by it, it will take you quiet,
   The best company you're sure to meet,
   Of donkey dealers and fowl retailers
   From Church Lane, Canaloe and Chapel St.

   IV

   Now grand Directors, and Line Inspectors,
   And local Pressmen so cute and so sage,
   All travel gratis-you know what that is
   While others must, pay on the Narrow Gauge.

   V

   Oh: nature's charms in all her forms
   All along the line will enchant the view
   St Caillen's gander saw nothing grander
   When round through Wicklow all alone he flew.

   VI

   Moore's Lalla Rook is, (a beauteous book 'tis,)
   With blooming, flowered on it's every page.
   For Shearon's roses can't match the posies
   That decked the borders of the Narrow Gauge.

   VII

   Green hills and mountains, clear rills and fountains
   With the placid lakes. There are hills between
   Monastic ruins, the wicked doings
   Of cursed Cromwell and the Virgin Queen

   VIII

   Historians tell us what befell us
   In the ancient times, persecution's age
   Ere people spoke of a locomotive
   Or knew the comfort of the Narrow Gauge

   IX

   Going to Dromod there are still some would
   Prefer to sit behind Dooner's grey
   If to Belturbet they'd surely spurn it.
   The old brakes seem on all the blessed way.

   X

   If to Drumshambo you by the tram go
   A slower passage no one could engage
   Jack Redsy's donkey he calls him spunkey
   Could blind K. Edward on the Narrow Gauge.

   XI

   Ye English loyal may shout disloyal
   So here my meaning I will now define
   King Ned is an engine made in Bengen
   Fair lovely Bengen upon the lovely Rhine.

   XII

   So John Thornton, he's a cute and sly one
   May seek promotion by some other stage.
   Else, him I'll sentence to due repentance
   Of twenty miles on the new Narrow Gauge.

   XIII

   'Twas my intention much more to mention
   For half it's praises I have not yet sung
   But the baby is balling, Molly's calling
   With click, click, click o telegraphic tongue.

   XIV

   But sweet as thrushes in trees and bushes
   And the pet canary in gilded cage
   When I have leisure I'll sing with pleasure
   The countless beauties of the Narrow Gauge.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   W. Farrell

   Gender

   Male

   Occupation

   Teacher

   Address

   Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

   Informant

   Tom Creamer

   Gender

   Male

   Occupation

   Teacher

   Address

   Stradermot, Co. Leitrim