The Limerick Rake - Traditional Song

I love this song and your comments and ratings would really be appreciated - I hope I deserve them. Anyway, I have been asked by one or two people why it is they never see me actually singing or playing - this is my response - I made this video about a month ago (or so) and have only got around to putting it together now - my first 'live' singing on this channel - I hope you like it.

Anyway, this song is very rarely heard now, unfortunately. And lyrics ....

I'm a young fellow who's easy and bold,
In Castletown Conners I'm very well known
In Newcastle West I spent many a note
With Kitty and Judy and Mary.
My father rebuked me for being such a rake
and spending my time in such frolicsome ways
but I ne'er can forget the good nature of Jane
'Agus fagamid siud mar ata se'
(Irish for 'We'll leave it as it is')

My parents had rared me to rake and to mow
to plough and to harrow, to reap and to sow
but my heart being too airy to drop it so low
I set out on a high speculation
On paper and parchment they taught me to write
in Euclid and grammar they opened my eyes
and in multiplication, in truth I was bright
agus fagamid siud mar ata se

If I chance for to go to the town of Rathkeal
The girls all around me do flock on the square
some bring me a bottle and others sweet cakes
to treat me unknown to their parents
There's one from Askeaton and one from the Pike
another from Ardagh, my heart was beguiled
though being from the mountains her stockings are white
agus fagamid siud mar ata se

To quarrel for riches, I ne'er was inclined
for the greatest of misers must leave them behind
I'll purchase a cow that will never run dry
and I'll milk her by twisting her horn
John Darmer of Schrowel had plenty of gold
and Devonshire's treasure was 20 times more
but he's laid on his back upon nettles and stones
agus fagmid siud mar ata se

This cow can be milked without clover or grass
for she's pampered on corn, good barley and hops
she's warma and she's stout and she's free in her paps
and she'll milk without spancel or halter
The man that will drink it will cock his caubeen
and if anyone coughs there'll be wigs on the green
and the feeble old hag will get supple and free
agus fagamid siud mar ata se

If I chance for to go to the market at Croom
with my cock in my hand and my pipes in full tune
I'm welcome at once and brought up to a room
where Baccus is sporting with Venus
There's Peggy and Jane from the town of Bruree
and Biddy from Bruff and we're all on the spree
such a combing of locks as there was about me
agus fagamid siud mar ata se

And now for the future, I mean to be wise
and I'll send for the women that acted so kind
and I'll marry them all on the square by and by
if the clergy agree to the bargain
and when I'm on me back and me soul is at peace
these women will crowd for to cry at my wake
and their sons and their daughters will offer their prayers
to the Lord, for the soul of their father.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• the
• limerick
• rake
• kevin
• dardis
• big
• kev
• murphy
• irish
• ireland
• traditional
• folk

[iniya1]

i have no words for this..its just beautiful.

[DardisMusic]

Thanks a million.

[galloway47]

Brill sound I have saved this video to my page if thats ok keep that Fantastic sound going.

[DardisMusic]

Very okay! Thanks for the feedback!

[Pyro8]

Damn brilliant. Sometimes drums and vocals are not entirely together, but overall, it´s one of the best renditions I´ve ever heard.

[DardisMusic]

Wow - you put a smile on my face!

[BardofCornwall]

I really enjoy your confident, smooth vocals. Keep them coming!

[bulldogstom]

Very nice Kev.

Cheers from Tom (the abusers)

[ShakaUVM]

Love this version. Wish you'd do a bit more uptempo one, though. (Though not as fast as the Clancy bros' version.) =)

[DoctorT2010]

A lovely surprise! Thanks to whomever posted it over on Boards.ie!

[aphrodite5052]

Beautiful voice..beautiful song.

[missTurtle1982]

Fantastic original sound.

[emersontotalyconfuse]

i live in a city called limeira,but is in the giant hot brazil :( it's not Limerick in the wonderful and cold Ireland. :(

[CoylerP]

Great performance of a great song..the lyrics are written about me or so I like to think....I just cannot express how much I love this video..

[cacildomarques]

Kevin, you have found the certain measure for this song. Very good.

[Morktania]

Love this song you do it very well.

[MusicalGhoul]

Great stuff. You have a fantastic voice mate, similar to the great Ronnie Drew (RIP). I really love this song, it has such a wonderful melody. One minor criticism. The guitar sounds a bit off. Did you record it before on a different track? I'd get someone to play along with you or if you play, just play while you sing...still it's no big deal, the whole thing sounds pretty damn decent!!! Thanks for posting!

[limerickf]

excellent