Collection of ballads, songsheets. 2 vols. London: J. Pitts, 18051840? University of Minnesota Libraries. WILSON Rare Books Quarto 820.1 Z. Vol. 1.

Half-sheet.

The Bold Irishman

Pitts Printer wholesale Toy & Marble Warehouse, 6, Great St. Andrew Street, 7 Dials

AM a bold Irishman just come to town

To view London city of fame & renown

And when I came there people used to walk

The name that I gave it was Hyde Park

fal de ral, &c.

I was in a hurry until I got there

By my soul you'd have thought I was going to the fair

For when I came there they were making a rout,

About 2 naked buffer<s> who were buffing it out

Great fencing there was but devil a stroke,
Thought I to myself, it was all a joke,
I said my brave bullies leave off your ticks
For its my country fashion to box with 2 sticks.

A blustering bully with a head like a Turk
Says welcome from Ireland, sweet Paddy from Cork
Arrah turn you round Pat, for I've been a kin
For I never yet see a coat buttoned behind

A beef headed butcher was then standing by
Cries Paddy you rogue I'll bung up your eye
Such blustering words made my heart ache
For fear of my eyes not a word dare I speak

It's I have been up to the word of command
I took my shillelah right fast in my hand
I hit those 2 bullies right over the head
By my soul you'd have thought the'yd been seven years dead,

The bully that said he'd bung up my eye,
I tipt him a grinder as I passed by,
I let him to know as he lay in his gore,
That an Irishmans coat was buttoned before

In less than 10 minutes the green it was clear
The devil a bully was there to appear
Says one to the other, I'd have you run quick
You see the wild Irishman's got a big stick

It's I being up to the rigs of the city,
I kissed pretty maids & thought a pity
Such blustering words make them all stare
Yet all owned I was the boy for the fair

Transcription and HTML coding by Brett Single. For commentary see Brett Single, "Celtic History and Politics in The Ballads of Seven Dials."

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Michael Hancher
Department of English, University of Minnesota
URL: <http://umn.edu/home/mh/irishman.html>
Comments to: mh@umn.edu
Created 20 May 1997
Last revised 30 June 1997