Henrik Norbeck's Song Lyrics

King of Ballyhooley, The

Sheet Music (and more information about this song)

I'll tell yez how it was with me, if to listen yez are willin'.
'Twas in yon house behind yon hill, where I had lately been distillin'.
I swung a keg upon me back, and started out for daylight coolly.
Good customers I did not lack, and I sold it all in Ballyhooley.

I thought it wiser to delay me homeward way for fear of peelers,
And in that way I spent the day, dinin' 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 light with 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, with 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 give 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, the drop it 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 mine in Ballyhooley"

Her cherry cheeks they grew more red, during the time that we were talkin',
And still she hung her little head, and viewed the ground where we were walkin',
She says "Young man if you're content, and if you say you love me truly,
And if me parents give 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 well the better,
So I went and asked her parents glad, if they were content to let me get her,
They said they were they wished us luck, we started out for Father Dooley,
And at the hour of twelve o'clock we tied the knot in Ballyhooley.

The wedding that we had that day, the people comin' uninvited,
The piper played for every squad, Jane she sang 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 or shabby,
And me Auntie Dot she bought some cloth, to make the dresses for the baby,
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 now 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,
Bonny Jane she is me Queen, and I'm the king of Ballyhooley.

Discography: Patrick Street (Andy Irvine)

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