We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Rags Upon the Poddle

from Landless EP by Landless

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      €1 EUR  or more

     

about

a.k.a William Reilly's Courtship.

lyrics

Young William Reilly was by trade,
A weaver bould lived on the Coombe,
For many years so sportingly,
He hopped the treadles of his loom,
He wrought away both night and day,
His work did never cockle¹,
Till he fell in love with Mary Neil,
Who sold rags upon the Poddle².

Oh, young Willie for to gain this maid
Immediately contrived a plan,
Said he "I'll go and court Miss Neil,
For I means to prove meself a man,
A tommy³ I wants very bad,
So to get one off I'll toddle
And I'll buy it from young Mary Neil,
That sells rags upon the Poddle.

Oh, Mary says he, me dearest dear,
Oh, If with me you will combine,
For to join our hands in wedlock bands,
Happy I'd be to style you mine.
Mother will give a stock of clothes,
To keep you from all trouble,
And I'll never let you any more,
Sell auld rags upon the Poddle.

Young Will sez she, don't make so free,
For to marry yet I'm not inclined,
As for to wed a weaver bould,
It never once did cross me mind,
So take this for your answer,
And do me no more trouble,
Nor I will sell you no more rags,
While I sits upon the Poddle.

Young Willie drooped and hung his head
When he got this sad denial,
When up there steps a brewers man,
All ready to defy him.
"Mary" sez he, "come 'long with me,
For I means to wet your throttle,
And I'll never let you anymore,
Sell auld rags upon the Poddle"

Well, she embraced his offer in a crack,
And off they went together,
On a jaunting cart so stately sat,
With a dandy hat and a feather,
They keeps a house in Golden-lane,
Where quarts and glasses rattle,
And she does not care what people say,
'bout old rags upon the Poddle.

Young William Reilly heart full sore,
Went home and did his shuttle throw
But of late he courts a spinning girl
Who turns a wheel in Pimlico
To salute her heart so free from guile,
Willie cracked a flowing bottle
And he thinks no more on Mary Neil,
And auld rags upon the Poddle.


1 - cockle = wrinkled like the shell of a cockle, to shrink up.
2 - Poddle = (An Poitéal), an ancient stream of Dublin.
Although Anglicised as Poddle by the English it was invariably pronounced Pottle by the citizens of Dublin up to the latter half of the 19th century.
3 - tommy = a front and collar doing duty for a full shirt.

credits

from Landless EP, released March 21, 2014
Trad. arr. Landless

Words adapted and set to a newly composed air by Fergus Russell 16th April 2013.
Original imprint by Nugent's Printers 35 College St. Dublin.
Broadsheet collection Trinity College Library, Dublin.

Recorded and mixed by Alex Borwick and Ben Lehane at Elektra Studios, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, 2nd March 2014.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Landless Dublin, Ireland

Landless are Lily Power, Meabh Meir, Ruth Clinton and Sinead Lynch. Formed in 2013 and based in Dublin and Belfast, they sing unaccompanied traditional songs in four-part harmony.

contact / help

Contact Landless

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Landless, you may also like: