The Hackler from Grouse Hall

An Irish folk song that I love singing and the first version of this on YT? I upload this as a promise to Antonio (aka, bentonio07), another one of my favourite musicians on YouTube - a man that makes me jealous each and every time I watch his wonderful videos-
http://www.youtube.com/user/bentonio07

I am a roving hackler lad who loves the shamrock shore
me name is Pat McDonnell and me age is 84
beloved and well respected by my neighbours one and all
on Saint Patrick's Day, I love to stray round Lavey and Grouse Hall

When I was young I danced and sung and drank good whiskey too
each sibín shop that sold a drop of the real old mountain dew
with the poitin stil on every hill the peelers had no call
round sweet Stradone I am well known round Lavey and Grouse Hall

I rambled round from town to town for hackling was my trade
none can deny, I think that I an honest living made
wheree'er I'd stay, by night or day, the youth would always call
to have some crack with Paddy-Jack, the hackler from Grouse Hall

I think it's strange how times have changed so very much of late
coercion now is all the row and peelers on their bate
to take a glass is now alas the greatest crime of all
since Balfour placed that hungry beast, the sergeant of Grouse Hall

The busy tool of castle rule, he travels night and day
he'd seize a goat just by the throat for want of better prey
the nasty skunk he'd swear your drunk though you took none at all
there is no peace about the place since he came to Grouse Hall

T'was on pretence of this offence that he dragged me off to jail
alone to dwell in a cold cell, my fate for to bewail
my hoary head on a plank bed such wrongs for vengeance call
he'll rue the day he dragged away the hackler from Grouse Hall

He haunts the league just like a plague and shame for to relate
the priest can't be on Sunday, for the mass to celebrate
it's there he'll kneel incased in steel prepared on duty's call
for to assail and drag to jail our clergy from Grouse Hall

Down into hell he's run pell mell to hunt for poitin there
and won't he loath to swear an oath t'was found in Killaker
he'll search your bed from foot to head sheets blanket tick and all
your wife undressed must leave the nest for Jemmy of Grouse Hall

He fixed a plan for one poor man who had a handsome wife
to take away without delay her liberty and life
he'd swear quite plain that she's insane and got no sense at all
as he has done of late with one convenient to Grouse Hall

Thank God the day's not far away when home rule will be seen
and brave Parnell at home will dwell and shine in College Green
our Policemen will all be then our nation's choice and all
old Balfour's pack will get the sack and banished from Grouse Hall

Let old and young clean out their lungs and sing this little song
come join with me and let them see you all resent the wrong
and while I live I'll always give a prayer for his downfall
and when I die, I don't deny, I'll haunt him from Grouse Hall

A folk cover by Kevin Dardis

Category:

Music

Tags:

• big
• kev
• murphy
• kevin
• dardis
• the
• hackler
• from
• grouse
• hall
• prosperous
• christy
• moore
• irish
• ireland
• dardismusic

[kelvinmcl]

hi.. where would i get the chords for this??

[DardisMusic]

I play it Am & G, with Am-C-G for the last line of every verse. I think I have the Capo in the 4th box here.

[mickmurphy608]

fair play to ya dardis, first time ever hearin it,well done, damien dempsey is releasing a trad album next album with this song on it, worth a listen.

[DardisMusic]

Good to know that - I am always interested to know what other people make of the same material! Thanks a lot for the comment and for watching Mick!

[doggidog789]

I love this song

[DardisMusic]

Hope I do it justice.

[JLRecords1]

Perfect Folk-Voice

[hylareca]

Your voice is absolutely incredible and perfect for this. Wow. thanks very much for this.

[hilltopjason]

i've had this song saved on a ballad playlist of mine for the last year, and I tell you what,.. t'is a mighty ...' song. a song is supossed to be telling a story, and the vocals of the song should conveay the ***** of the song. .... p.s., have u ever been in ballybunion?

[Postscript624]

I've been listening to your version almost nonstop since I found it.

[CrystalHackler]

Beautiful, lovely song.

[billthetailor]

Nicely done, sir, nicely done.

[casperbubbles]

Really Good