THE BALLAD OF PADDY O'SHEA

‘Twas the month of November, and close of the day, it was also the close of the Fair

In the village of Gortin and Paddy O’Shea was a little taste worse of the wear

Two bullocks he’d sold to a man from the ‘Plum’ and a cow to a lad in Corlea

“ If I treat myself now to a mouthful of rum, I deserve it” said Paddy O’ Shea

Then he spit on his stick, and “ Begorra” says he, “ I wish I was home in Lislap

It’s a tough enough jaunt for an oul lad like me, aye, and lonely going down by the Gap.

And a drop in my pocket would not go far wrong for cheering a man on his way

A sup now and then and a verse of a song is a blessing “ said Paddy O’ Shea.

Then he padded the road, just as blithe as a bee,till be came to the seat in the Glen

“ I’ll rest and be thankful”, says Paddy, says he, “ For it can’t be a lot after ten

When I’ve worked for the Council in times that’s gone by, I rested here many’s a day

Then he finished his bottle because he was dry and sleep came to Paddy O’ Shea.

How long he was sleeping he never could tell, but he swars that his back gor a thump

And a sound in his head like the clang of a bell, make him come to himself in a jump

And a lad on the seat showing two cloven feet said “You needn’t be trying to pray

For the sins of your past I have got you at last I have come for you PaddyO’Shea”

Said Paddy”My lad, were you five times us bad, I would warn you now to take heed

I don’t care for you, or the worst you can do, for I’m married to one of your breed

I tamed her, bedad, and, och, man, she was bad—a daughter of yours I would say

And I don’t give a curse, for you couldn’t be worse, than your daughter”said Paddy O ‘ Shea.

The Oul Boy jumped up in a tear of a rage, and gripped Paddy hard by the beard

Said he “I’ve got slurs, but I’ll swear at my age, that’s the greatest insult I have heard”.

Poor Paddy by this time was quite wide awake, and found it was just breaking day

“Och, the Devil”, says he, “I have made a mistake, it’s the daughter” said Paddy O’ Shea

For Paddy’s ould woman had waited all night till her temper was boiling, and then

With a stick in her fist at the ‘Shreek’ of daylight she had wended her way down the Glen.

“And”, said she, “Ye ould blackguard, if ever you cheep from this to your last dying day

You will pay for the things that you said in your sleep, bad luck to you Paddy O’ Shea”.