School: Béal an Átha Móir (B.)

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1. Ballinamuck (continued)

   

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   Gilheany seemed well satisfied,
   And bid good morning to his guide,
   But when he reached the distant place
   A yoeman stared him in the face,
   And uttered them in tones severe,
   ''Damn Papish dog; what brought you here:
   But now your doom is sealed at last.
   Bob Ferguson, it is my name,
   And I don't think it sin or shame
   A croppy dog like you to swing.
   Who proved a traitor to his king.''

   Gilheany then spoke up and said
   ''I see too late I'm good as dead.
   Although your worst I do not fear,
   Curse on the man that sent me here.
   He got my money, and it is plain
   He this contrived to get me slain.''

   These words then seemed to mollify
   The yeoman's rage. He did reply,
   ''I shall investigate this case,
   So now your steps you must retrace.''
   He took with him a loaded gun
   Lest young Gilheany off might run.

   So onward then, through brake?b?n
   They went until they came to Seán,
   Whom Ferguson did then accost,
   Without moments' time being lost.
   ''Have you got money, let me know
   From this man here not long ago:
   At least to me he did pretend,
   On your word his life may depend
   (So it's on your word his life depends).''

   Seán uttered in a sulky tone,
   ''I have no money but my own,
   And have his money tell me now
   Can I, who saw him not till now?''

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. genre
      1. poetry
         1. folk poetry (~9,504)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Micky Creamer

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Curraghnawall, Co. Leitrim