Brian O'Linn

(Traditional: Arranged by Brendan Nolan & Gerry O'Neill)

Key of E, Capo 2nd fret, open D (DAF#DAD)

I got this song from Gerry O'Neill, the best musical partner I've ever played with. I rarely perform it on stage alone as it lends itself more to having a fiddle accompaniment. The fiddle seems to brings out the mischievous nature of the song.

Now Brian O'Linn was a gentleman born
He lived in a time when no clothes they were worn
When fashion walked out, sure Brian walked in
"I'll give yis fashion," says Brian O'Linn

Brian O'Linn was hard-up for a coat
So he borrowed the skin of a neighbouring goat
With the horns stickin' out from his oxters he grinned
"Sure they'll think that they're pistols," says Brian O'Linn

Now Brian O'Linn had no breeches to wear
So he got him a sheepskin to make him a pair
With the fleshy side out and the wooly side in
"They're pleasant cool," says Brian O'Linn

Brian O'Linn had no shirt to his back
So he went to the neighbour and borrowed a sack
Then he puckered the meal-bag up under his chin
"Sure they'll take them for ruffles," says Brian O'Linn

Now Brian O'Linn had no brogues for his toes
So he hopped in two crab shells to serve him for those
Then he split up two oysters, they matched like a twin!
"Sure they'll shine like buckles," says Brian O'Linn

Brian O'Linn had no watch to put on
So he scooped out a turnip to make him a one
Then he slipped a young cricket in under the skin
"They'll think that it's ticking, " says Brian O'Linn

Now Brian O'Linn to his house had no door
He's the sky for a rood and the bog for a floor
He'd a way to jump our and a way to swim
"Tis a fine habitation," says Brian O'Linn

Brian O'Linn went a courtin' one night
And he set both the mother and daughter to fight
To fight for his hand they both stripped to the skin
"Sure I'll marry yis both," says Brian O'Linn

Brian O'Linn went to take his wife home
But all he had was an oul nag that was all skin and bone
"I'll put her before me as neat as a pin
"And her mother behind me," says Brian O'Linn

Now Brian O'Linn and the wife and wife's mother
They were all going home o'er the bridge together
The bridge it fell down and they all tumbled in
"Sure we'll go home by the water," says Brian O'Linn