School: Killough (roll number 9540)

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1. A Song Made Locally

   “I am sorry to say that times have changed, ¶ Since I first joined the police.”

   

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   I am sorry to say that times have changed,
   Since first I joined the police.
   We had lots of fun and leisure time,
   To comfort and console us.
   Outside the barracks door we'd sit,
   As spruce and gay as finches.
   With hair well oiled and waxed mustashe,
   To view the passing winches.
   With my riga-dum-do was pleasant in view,
   To know the life of an Irish peeler.

   Now the people declare their claims,
   Too long being divided.
   Their patience met with scant reward,
   From North to South,
   From East to West.
   They cry from all the branches,
   We'll drive the bullocks from all the land.
   And then split up the ranches.
   With my rig-dum-do there is trouble in view
   For many an Irish peeler.

   We are marching by day and night,
   No time for rest or sleeping.
   Marrone instead of keeping peace,

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

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

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Maggie Callan

   Gender

   Female

   Informant

   William Callan

   Relation

   Parent

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Williamstown (Briscoe), Co. Westmeath