Ballyhooley

(Traditional, arranged by Brendan Nolan)

Key of D, Drop 'D' tuning: DBGDAD

I'll tell yis how it was with me
If to listen yis are willing
It was in yon house behind yon hill
Where I had lately been distilling
I slung a keg upon me back
And I started out for daylight cooly
Good customers I did not lack
And the sun did fall on Ballyhooley

I thought it wiser to delay
My homeward way for fear of peelers
In that way I spent the day
Dining with the whiskey dealers
But as the shades of night came down
And I had got me money duly
I bid goodnight to all was there
And I started home from Ballyhooley

My heart was like the mountain dew
That I had brewed among the heather
And on me way I chanced to spy
A lad and lassie walk together
Her neck was like the mountain snow
Her cheeks like roses blossomed newly
She'd a voice like music soft and low
She was the flower of Ballyhooley

This young man quickly left her side
It was afraid of me that he was
And still the lassie did not hide
It was in love with me that she was
Then quickly up beside her came
Says I, "fair maid I love you truly
And if your parents gives consent
Will you be my bride in Ballyhooley"

I have a house behind yon hill
two fine greyhounds and a ferret
Besides I have a little still
A drop I makes, with you I'll share it
And I have got a feather bed
with sheets and blankets purchased newly
Besides I have a ring to wed
if you'll be my bride in Ballyhooley

Her cherry cheeks they grew more red
During the time that we were talking
And still she hung her little head
And viewed the groung where we were walking
She says, "young man if you're content
If you say you love me truly
And if me parents gives consent
I'll be your bride in Ballyhooley

I asked her name, she said it was Jane
And that her second name was Cooley
And then I asked her when we'd wed
She said the sooner wed the better
So I went and asked her parents glad
If they'd agree to let me get her
They said they would, they wished us luck
We started off for Father Cooley
And at the hour of twelve o'clock
We tied the knot in Ballyhooley

The wedding that we had that day
The people come in uninvited
The piper played for every squat
Jane she sand and I recited
The poteen flowed like a waterfall
That from the still had just come newly
And in that way we gaily spent
Our honeymoon in Ballyhooley

The wedding presents that we got
None of them was mean nor shabby
And me auntie Dot she bought some cloth
To make the dresses for the babby
The invitations then went round
To friends that we had just made newly
A lighter heart could not be found
Than mine that night in Ballyhooley

It's fifteen years since we wed
Still in every way we're thrivin'
Me Jane she is a dandy yet
Though down the hill of life she's drivin'
The family has increased in store
Fifteen daughters all unruly
Oh me Jane, she is me queen
And I'm the king of Ballyhooley