The Rollicking Boys of Tandragee
Even though I had to drive almost 200 kilometres from Ennis to Mullingar (and back at night) to hear this band live in 2022, it was definitely worth it.
I discovered the video on YouTube during the Corona period and for me it is a prime example of how musical precision transforms into pure liveliness, fills the musicians and spills over to the listeners. especially Caroline Keane IS music.
Here's to the boys who are happy and gay
Singing and dancing and tearing away
Rolicksome, frolicsome, frisky and free
With the rollicking boys around Tandragee
Bad luck to you all here now barring the cat
That's sits in the corner a-smelling the rat
Ah, quit your philandering boys and behave
And saving your presence I'll chance you will stay
I come from the land where the praties grow big
And the girls neat and handy can dance a fine jig
The boys they will charm, your heart for to see
They're wonderful fellas 'round Tandragee
Chorus:
Here's to the boys that are happy and gay
Singing and dancing and tearing away
Rolicksome, frolicsome, frisky and free
With the rollicking boys around Tandragee
No doubt you have heard of Killarney, I'm sure
And sweet Inishowen for a drop of the pure
Dublin's the place for the Strawberry Beds
And Donnybrook fair for the crackin' of heads
Did you e'er see an Irishman dancing poltóg
Oh, he faces his partner and turn up his brogue
He shakes at the buckle and bends at the knee
Ach, they're wonderful dancers 'round Tandragee
Chorus ...
It's the ould jaunting car, the elegant joult
And Derry's the place that is famed for the hoult
Among the green bushes that grow in Tyrone
And the County Fermanagh for muscle and bone
For feasting and blarney and fun at the fair
There's none can compare with Rakes of Kildare
Green Erin, me country, the gem of the sea
But the gem of ould Ireland is Tandragee
Chorus ...
Now, where is the man either Christian or Turk
Could equal the bold Robert Emmet or Burke
Where was the lawyer could speak up like Dan
There's devil another, bad luck to the one!
And where is the singer could sing like Tom Moore?
His melodies charm every care from our door
We'll beat them all yet boys and that you will see
Sure we're rarin' fine fellas 'round Tanderagee
Chorus ...