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FOGAN MACALEER (Larry Doyle) There lived in bonny Scotland a man named MacAleer, And plenty means and ways he had of land and working gear. Yet he had the queerest notions, they were like perpetual motion Or like waves that rock the ocean, don't you know what I mean? He liked the men his neighbours and the boys both one and all, But he could not bear the capers of the women great or small; Not a woman could he bear then, sure the girls they would scare him - How they schemed and tried to snare him, don't you know what I mean? O Fogan was his christened name and Fogan was in need Of a mare to match his sandy mane of equal strength and speed; Yes, he knew where one was handy that would suit him like a dandy, So he'd go to blacksmith Sandy, don't you know what I mean? "Oh, well now," says Fogan, "come and listen unto me, I'm looking for a mare to buy and I have come to thee; Lauchlan Ban he has the very mare and only for the women there I'd go and ask his terms, don't you know what I mean?" "Oh, well now," says Sandy, "I will do the best I can, I will see the women safe away and then see Lauchlan Ban; You can call there at your pleasure, tonight if you have leisure, For the mare she is a treasure, don't you know what I mean?" So Fogan he went home then a contented happy man, And that evening he went over to see neighbour Lauchlan Ban; The old man was kind and civil while supstairs the women snivelled For the blacksmith played the devil, don't you know what I mean? "O well now," says Fogan, "my business I need not tell, For Sandy has already told how I like her very well; O I like her breed and colour, she is everything that's nice, I will water, bruch and bed her, keep her in in stormy weather, And in daytime out on tether, don't you know what I mean?" "In the name of God," says Lauchlan, "what's come over you at all? For we never intend selling her like cattle in the fall; She has plenty things to fit her and has something to take with her But 'tis we will sorely miss her, don't you know what I mean?" Then, "I do not want your presents," said Fogan MacAleer, "I can pay the money down for her and find her working gear. If you keep her in the stable, it is now I will be able For to pay you on the table, don't you' know what I mean?" "We don't keep her in the stable but upstairs she's snug and dry; I will call her down this minute, since the two of your are in it 'Tis yourselves that should begin it, don't you know what I mean?" Then he hollered out for Mary, while poor Fogan stood amazed With the beads of sweat upon his brow on Lauchlan Ban he gazed; But he had no time for thinking, it was done as quick as winking And poor Fogan's heart was sinking, don't you know what I mean? When Mary stepped into the room her father this did say: "I suppose your mother told you what brought Sandy here today." Then Mary blushed a rosy red and Fogan raised his drooping head, His bashfulness was over, don't you know what I mean? And so things turned out contrary, not the mare he got, but Mary, But he got the mare with Mary, don't you know what I mean? The irregular numbers of lines in verses make sense if you hear them actually sung o n the accompanying CD - sung by Joseph Walsh, Morell, PEI. @animal @horse @courting filename[ MACALEER Feb07  8note Sheet |
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