School: Dunmanus, Toormore

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1. Betty Hegarty's Bit of Moonshine (continued)

   

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   "Would I let you break that stone wall,
   That I look upon with pride,
   So away with you immediately
   And from this place keep wide!"
   "Míle murther!" whimpered Betty,
   "What am I to do at all?
   Must I starve, and be evicted
   While my money's in the wall?"

   So went on the wordy warfare
   Thrust and parry fairly dealt
   Till the soft tones of relenting
   In the landlord's voice was felt,
   Then he said in kindly accents,
   "As it thus befell on you
   I'll remit the whole instalment
   Of the rent that's hanging due

   But I stringently enjoin you
   On a clear command from me
   That you daren't touch that well again Or punished you will be."
   Of course, Batty thanked his honour, then
   And homeward straight he went
   Chuckling how the ancient stone wall
   Paid the missing half year's rent.

   (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

   Mark Lucey

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   90

   Address

   Ratooragh, Co. Cork