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Bold Doherty​/​Bran's Sticks​/​The Noose and Ghille

from Signature by IONA

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The song, collected by Norma Waterson from the singing of Drogheda singer Mary Ann Carolan, is an odd conglomeration of the adventures of a rake, all over Ireland, it seems: not the whole story, but never dull, we think! Barbara wrote the next tune, Bran's Sticks. Bernard's and her dog Bran's favorite thing in the world was to chase sticks, until he went blind. You will hear his commentary in this tribute. The Noose and Ghille, a Scottish reel, has one of those names that just make you wonder. We THINK it refers to a hunting ghille or attendant and the noose he carries to catch game.

lyrics

My name is Bold Doherty from the North Country,
Where there's a still upon every stream.
Landlady, be quicker and bring us more liquor
And fill us a pitcher that's stronger than cream.
If I had you Molly, both pleasant and jolly,
Although it's a folly to ask you at all,
And if I had a glass and a mile to the bottom,
I'd drink to you, Molly, beside Donegal.

Chorus:
And sing fol the rol day, fol the rol laddity,
Fol the rol raddely, fol the rol day.
Fol the rol day, fol the rol laddity,
Fol the rol raddely, fol the rol day.

I'd a new pair o' clogs I brought home from the market:
I needed an excuse for to go to the town.
I told me old mother the seams they were ripped
And I needed some nails for to rivet them round.
Then she cloth-ed me palm with a bright golden shilling,
She thought the remainder it would be her own.
"And while you're in town you may buy half a noggin,
But be sure to leave all of them fancifuls home."

Chorus

While crossing the hills of me brave Enniskillin,
I stopped at the ale house for to buy a dram.
There I spied two tinkers dividing a sauce pan,
although they were arguing about a tin can.
Then one of them gave such a blow to the other
And said, "You old villain, I will take your life!
For your saucepans are leaking and can't hold the water
Since ever Bold Doherty spoke to your wife."

Chorus

And when I got back, well, the door it was bolted.
I rapped up me mother for to let me in.
"Begone from this place," were the words that she mentioned,
"For inside these doors I will not let you in."
"Oh, you may go back to wherever you came from,
For to not let you in now I'm sure 'tis no sin."
I said, "Me good woman, you can hold our temper,
And I can find lodging with Nora McGlyn."
Chorus

© 2017 Barnaby Productions Inc.

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from Signature, released December 1, 2017

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IONA Washington, D.C.

IONA has been taking its unique brand of traditional Celtic music to festivals, arts centers, schools & house concerts all over North America and Europe since 1986, blending music from the various Celtic traditions with stories and a little humor - Barbara Ryan (vocals, bouzouki, bodhran), Bernard Argent (flute, doumbek), Chuck Lawhorn (bass), Jim Queen (fiddle, banjo) & Kathleen Larrick (dance). ... more

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