origin and lyrics of the song "poteen"
Zpmboca
craythur, it's the best thing in nature, for sinking your sorrows and raising
your joys...") I've heard at least 2 different versions with slightly
different words. Secondly, who is the author, and approximately when was it
written?
Thanks for your help.
Z. Peter Mitchell
jmco...@mediaone.net
Zpmboca wrote:
Peter,
This is a really fun song. I originally heard this song sung by Tom Lenihan
(R.I.P., 1905 - 1990), a grand singer of Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. Everybody who
sings this song today can trace their learning of the song back to Tom. And in
true folk fashion Tom got it from a book. The following information is from Tom
Munnelly, of the Dept of Irish Folklore, UCD.
Tom L was given the book, 617 Irish Songs And Ballads (c. 1900), by his sister
in America when he was a young man. There was no tune for the song listed in this
book, so Tom chose the tune Larry O'Gaff. That is the only reason why that's the
tune everyone sings it to today.
The actual author of the song is Joseph Lunn. It's first printing was in The
Emerald Isle Song Book, 1899, and the actual name of the song is Paddy's Panacea.
In this book the tune, Ireland So Frisky, is recommended. I don't know this tune
myself and Tom M does not give a reference.
Tom M produced a book and two tapes of Tom Lenihan's songs and singing in
1994. The collection is: The Mount Callan Garland, Songs from the repertoire of
Tom Lenihan, Comhairle Bhe/aloideas E/ireann, Dublin. This is just fabulous Clare
singing.
If you can't get this book and tapes (from Irish Books and Media, Minneapolis,
or your local Irish import store) then I could possibly write out some words. Most
words I've seen are the same except for one word. Some, Andy Stewart for example,
sing 'poiti/n', where the original and Tom L have 'whiskey' or in the first verse
'whiskeen'. But then Tom L always ended his lines and many other words by closing
his mouth to an 'n' sound.
Hope this is at least some of the information you wanted.
Sla/n anois,
Michael Collier
Oz Childs
: Can anyone send me a set of lyrics to the above song? (Chorus: "So stick to the
: craythur, it's the best thing in nature, for sinking your sorrows and raising
: your joys...") I've heard at least 2 different versions with slightly
: different words. Secondly, who is the author, and approximately when was it
: written?
:
: Thanks for your help.
:
: Z. Peter Mitchell
words are on digital tradition(mudcat cafe), under "humours of whiske" for
some reason.
redkat...@gmail.com
Be cutting their capers,
'Bout curing the vapors, the scurvy, or gout,
Wid their powders and potions,
Their balsams and lotions,
Och hone! in their notions they're mightily out.
Would you know the true physic
To bother the phthisic.
And pitch to the devil cramp, colic, and spleen?
You'll find it, I think,
If you take a big drink,
With your mouth to the brink of a jug of poteen.
Then stick to the cratur,
The best thing in natur,
For sinking your sorrows and raising your joys.
Och! whack! botheration!
No dose in the nation
Can give consolation like whisky, my boys!
2. Oh, no liquid cosmetic
For lovers athletic
Or ladies pathetic can give such a bloom;
And for sweets, by the pow'rs,
A whole garden of flow'rs
Never gave their own bow'rs such a darling perfume.
Then the liquor so rare,
If you're wishing to share,
To be turning your hair when it's grizzled or red;
Sure the sod has the merit
To make the true spirit
So strong it'll turn both your hair and your head.
Then stick to the cratur,
The best thing in natur,
For sinking your sorrows and raising your joys.
Oh! since 'tis perfection,
No doctor's direction
Can guard the complexion like whisky, my boys!
3. Whilst a child in the cradle,
My nurse wid a ladle
Was filling my mouth wid an ocean of pap,
When a drop from the bottle
Slipp'd into my throttle,
I caper'd and wriggled clane out of her lap.
On the floor I lay sprawling,
And kicking and bawling,
Till father and mother were both to the fore,
All sobbing and sighing,
Conceived I was dying,
But soon found I only was screeching for more.
Then stick to the cratur,
The best thing in natur
For sinking vour sorrows and raising your joys.
Oh, whack, how they'd chuckle
If babes in their truckle
They only could suckle wid whisky, my boys!
4. Thro' my youthful progression
To years of discretion
My childhood's impression still clung to my mind;
For at school or at college
The bolus of knowledge
I never could gulp till wid whisky combined.
And as older I'm growing,
Time's ever bestowing
On Erin's potation a flavor so fine,
That howe'er they may lecture
'Bout Jove and his nectar,
Itself is the only true liquor divine.
Then stick to the cratur,
The best thing in natur
For sinking your sorrows and raising your joys.
Oh, whack! 'tis delighting
For courting or fighting
There's nought so exciting as whisky, my boys!
5. Let philosophers dabble
In science, and babble
'Bout Oxygin, Hydrogin, Nitrogin's fame;
For their gin, to my thinking,
Is not worth the drinking;
Their labor's all lost, and their learning a drame.
They may prate by the score
Of their elements four,
That all things earth, air, fire, and water must be;
For their rules I don't care,
For in Ireland, I'll swear,
By St. Pat there's a fifth, and that's whisky, machree!
Then stick to the cratur,
The best thing in natur
For sinking your sorrows and raising your joys.
Och! whack! art and science
Myself bids defiance
To yield in appliance to whisky, my boys!
6. Come guess me this riddle—
What bates pipe and fiddle?
What's stronger than mustard and milder than crame?
What best wets your whistle?
What's clearer than crystal,
And sweeter than honey, and stronger than stame?
What'll make the dumb talk?
What'll make the lame walk?
What's th' Elixir of Life and Philosopher's Stone?
And what help'd Mr. Brunel
To dig the Thames Tunnel?
Sure wasn't it the spirit of nate Innishowen!
Then stick to the cratur,
The best thing in natur
For sinking your sorrows and raising your joys.
Oh! whack! I'd not wonder
If lightning and thunder
Was made from the plunder of whisky, my boys!