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irish sea shanty's and poems

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irish sea shanty's and poems

PostMon Dec 08, 2014 10:51 am

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http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/irish ... /index.htm


EVENING SUN THE RIVER LAGAN BELFAST

The Cruise of the Callabar

1. Come all y' dryland sailors and listen till my song.

It's only forty verses so I won't delay yez long.

It's all about the advent-chiors of this ould Lisburn tar,

Who sailed as man before the mast aboard the Callabar.



2. The Callabar was a clipper ship, well-fastened fore and aft.

Her stern stuck out behind her and her helm was a great big shaft.

With half a gale to swell the sail she made one knot per hour.

She was the fastest ship on the Lagan Canal and only one horse power.



3. The captain he was a strappin' lad, he stood full four foot two.

His eyes were red, his face was green and his nose was a Prussian blue.

He wore a leather medal that he won in the Crimea war,

And his wife was steward and passenger cook aboard the Callabar.



4. One day the captain came to me, he says, my lad, says he,

Would you like to be a sailor and roam the ragin' sea,

Would you like to be a sailor on foreign seas to roll,

For we're under orders for Aghalee with half a ton of coal.



5. On leaving the Abercorn basin the weather it was sublime,

And passing under the ould Queen's Bridge we heard the Albert chime,

But going up the gasworks straight a very dangerous part,

We ran aground on a lump of coal that wasn't marked on the chart.



6. Then all became confusion and stormy winds did blow.

The bosun slipped on an orange peel and fell into the hold below.

More steam, more steam, the captain cried, for we are sorely pressed,

And the engineer from the bank replied, the ould horse is doin' its best.

7. When we woke up next morning we were in a dreadful funk,

For the mate he had been drownded dead while sleeping in his bunk.

To stop the ship from sinking and to save each precious life,

We threw all the cargo overboard including the captain's wife.



8. A farmer on his way to work he heard us loudly roar,

And he threw us the ends of his gallusses and pulled us all ashore,

I'm done with ocean ramblin' and roaming the ragin' main,

And the next time I'll go to Lisburn, bejabbers I'll go by train

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's

PostMon Dec 08, 2014 11:15 am

1. On the twentieth day of August, the day that we set sail,
Bound for Molly Ward's with a cargo of India mail,
Our ship's name, it was Jane, and the captain's name McFall.
We were, bound for foreign countries on the Lagan Canal.

2. When we came to Barbour's Quay, we saw a mighty man,
His name was Kayley Shannon with a shovel in his hand.
He said 'Now boys, drop anchor, for I'm afraid your sails will fall,
And there's goin' to be a ship-wreck on the Lagan Canal.'

3. The captain he came up on deck, a spy-glass in his hand,
He said we were in great danger, for he couldn't see dry land,
The mate he shouts, 'Put on more steam, for we are in distress,'
When the engineer replied from the bank, 'The horse is doin' 'is best.'


4. The water it was very deep, it took us to the shins,
We had a poor chance of our lives as none of us could swim.
Then think of our wives and children we might never see the more,
When a postman threw us a bar of soap and we washed ourselves ashore.

5. They brought us all to Bridge Street, and got us all a bed,
There wasn't one amongst us, but hadn't the staggers in the head,
So now my song is ended, I hope it'll please you all,
About that dreadful ship-wreck on the Lagan Canal.

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's

PostMon Dec 08, 2014 11:32 am

My Lagan Love

Of all the songs, perhaps the best known is `My Lagan Love'. The origins of this song are lost in the shadows of the past, but it is one of those beautiful songs which will surely, like the river itself, go on forever.



Where Lagan stream sings lullaby
There blooms a lily fair:
The twilight-gleam is in her eye,
The night is on her hair.
And, like a love-sick leanan-sidhe,
She hath my heart in thrall:
Nor life I owe, nor liberty,
For Love is lord of all.

Her father sails a running-barge
'Twixt Leamh-beag and The Druim;
And on the lonely river-marge
She clears his hearth for him.
When she was only fairy-high
Her gentle mother died;
But dew-Love keeps her memory
Green on the Lagan-side.

And oft-times, when the beetle's horn
Hath lulled the eve to sleep,
I steal unto her shieling lorn,
And thro' the dooring peep.
There on the crickets' singing-stone
She spares the bogwood fire,
And hums in sad, sweet undertone
The song of heart's-desire.


Her welcome, like her love for me,
Is from her heart within:
Her warm kiss is felicity,
That knows no taint of sin.
And when I stir my foot to go,
'Tis leaving Love and light
To feel the wind of longing blow
From out the dark of night.

Where Lagan stream sings lullaby
There blooms a lily fair:
The twilight-gleam is in her eye,
The night is on her hair.
And, like a love-sick leanan-sidhe,
She hath my heart in thrall:
Nor life I owe, nor liberty,
For Love is lord of all.



Note: The leanan-sidhe (fairy-mistress) seeks the love of mortals. If they refuse, she must be their slave; if they consent, they are hers and can only escape by finding another to take their place. The fairy lives on their life and they waste away. She is sometimes called bain-leanan, i.e. fairy-sweetheart. The cricket (hearth-fly) has always been considered a lucky little beast. Its presence in the kitchen-ends of farmhouses in days gone by was supposed to keep away all evil that might otherwise have entered there. The usual place to find them was among the turf ashes after dark. At one time it was the custom in some parts of the country for a young married couple to carry a 'brace' of crickets from each of the old parental hearths. This was said to bring luck to their own.

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostMon Dec 08, 2014 11:37 am

BELFAST TOWN


Belfast town now rich and great,
Was then a village small,
And flocks of sheep grazed on that spot,
Where stands the Linen Hall.

To herd the sheep was Mary's task,
And she did not repine;
She looked so happy in her flock,
She seemed almost divine.

And at that time young Dermott lived;
The royal crown he wore;
He ruled the ground from Belfast town
To Mourne's mountain shore.

To hunt the bear and savage wolf
Was this young Prince's pride;
One day of age he killed three
Beneath the Cave Hill side.

Returning from his weary chase,
To give his horse some rest;
The reins upon his neck lay loose,
To give his horse some breath.

And as he rode he Mary spied,
Who rose in deep alarm:
She was sleeping on a primrose bank,
With her cheek upon her arm.

And as she rose the Prince she knew,
And quickly genuflexed;
She knew him by the golden star
That glittered on his breast.

'O! maiden tell me who art thou,
That dazzle so my eyes?
Are you a goddess from the skies,
Or princess in disguise'?'

'Oh, banter not a maiden fair,
Of a low and mean degree.
My sovereign prince your pardon crave';
With that she bent her knee.

'For I am of a lowly birth,
And Poverty beside.
My widowed mother lives with me,
Upon the Lagan side.'


'Say that you are poor no more;
Since those sweet charms of yours
Are far beyond in priceless wealth
All gold or silver store.'

'Come with me and by my bride:
Here is my heart and hand;
And I will share my throne with you
As Queen of Erin's land.'

Once more her snow white hand he pressed
As they walked side by side,
Until they to the cottage came,
Where her mother did reside.

'My worthy dame,' out spoke the Prince
(The Prince of Mourne's land);
`The man has blessing on his youth
That has thy daughter's hand.'

'My worthy prince,' replied the dame,
'It's seventeen years and more
Since her I found outside my door,
Half buried in the snow.

'And around her neck were jewels fine,
And likewise gold in store,
To meet all charges till the time
I might the child restore.'

And when the Prince the necklace saw,
He started with delight,
Saying: 'Mary, dear, great is thy birth,
And great's thy wealth and right.

'You are my uncle's long lost child,
Which shall not be denied,
Since I have found at once this day
A cousin and a bride.'

And when this royal pair was wed
There rose with one loud roar
A general cheer from Belfast Lough
To Mourne's Mountain Shore
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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostMon Dec 08, 2014 6:26 pm

sure THE IRISH ROVER has to be mentioned too ;)

On the 4th of July, 1806
We set sail from the sweet cove of Cork
We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
For the Grand City Hall in New York

'Twas a wonderful craft, she was rigged fore and aft
And oh, how the wild wind drove her
She stood several blasts, she had twenty seven masts
And they called her The Irish Rover

We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags
We had two million barrels of stone
We had three million sides of old blind horses hides
We had four million barrels of bones

We had five million hogs and six million dogs
Seven million barrels of porter
We had eight million bails of old nanny-goats' tails
In the hold of the Irish Rover

There was awl Mickey Coote who played hard on his flute
When the ladies lined up for a set
He was tootin' with skill for each sparkling quadrille
Though the dancers were fluther'd and bet

With his smart witty talk, he was cock of the walk
And he rolled the dames under and over
They all knew at a glance when he took up his stance
That he sailed in The Irish Rover

There was Barney McGee from the banks of the Lee
There was Hogan from County Tyrone
There was Johnny McGurk who was scared stiff of work
And a man from Westmeath called Malone

There was Slugger O'Toole who was drunk as a rule
And Fighting Bill Treacy from Dover
And your man, Mick MacCann from the banks of the Bann
Was the skipper of the Irish Rover

We had sailed seven years when the measles broke out
And the ship lost its way in the fog
And that whale of a crew was reduced down to two
Just myself and the Captain's old dog

Then the ship struck a rock, oh Lord, what a shock
The bulkhead was turned right over
Turned nine times around and the poor old dog was drowned
I'm the last of The Irish Rover

Songwriters
TRADITIONAL
Misspellings are *very special effects* of me keyboard

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostTue Dec 09, 2014 6:28 pm

THE WILD GOOSE NATION

I'm a rambling son of the Wild Goose Nation
Haul away, haul away, haul away, hold hard
And I left my wife on the old plantation
Haul away, me boys, haul away

On my very first day out of the Wild Goose Nation
I began to to lament and regret my situation

For it's "Pat, do this and that and mind your station
'Cause you're a lousy son of the Wild Goose Nation

'Course I turned around and gave 'em all a pastin'
For I am a true son of the Wild Goose Nation

Yes, I'm a rambling son of the Wild Goose Nation
Now I'm off to Amerikay to get an education.

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostTue Dec 09, 2014 6:46 pm

When I was a little lad
And so my mother told me,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe,
That if I did not kiss a gal
My lips would grow all moldy,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Way, haul away, we'll haul for better weather,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

King Louis was the King of France
Before the Revolution,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe,
King Louis got his head cut off
Which spoiled his constitution.
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Way, haul away, we'll haul for better weather,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

Oh the cook is in the galley
Making duff so handy
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe,
And the captain's in his cabin
Drinkin' wine and brandy
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.
Way, haul away, we'll haul for better weather,
Way, haul away, we'll haul away Joe.

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostTue Dec 09, 2014 6:54 pm

This an Irish set of lyrics to the tune: Old Swansea Town Once More. There is also another set of lyrics, The Lass of Swansea Town.
The "Holy Ground" is a quarter of Cobh (once known as Queenstown), which was inhabited mainly by fisherman. The tune is also refered to as The Cobh Sea Shanty. It was popular on the docks of Cork and Cobh as well as on the ships.

The tune was originally a capstan shanty - a song sung as sailors turned the capstan to raise the anchor.


Fare thee well, my lovely Dinah,
a thousand times adieu.
We are bound away from the Holy Ground
and the girls we love so true.
We'll sail the salt seas over
and we'll return once more,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
You're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.

Now when we're out a-sailing
and you are far behind
Fine letters will I write to you
with the secrets of my mind,
The secrets of my mind, my girl,
you're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
You're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.

Oh now the storm is raging
and we are far from shore;
The poor old ship she's sinking fast
and the riggings they are tore.
The night is dark and dreary,
we can scarcely see the moon,
But still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.
You're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more.

It's now the storm is over
and we are safe on shore
We'll drink a toast to the Holy Ground
and the girls that we adore.
We'll drink strong ale and porter
and we'll make the taproom roar,
And when our money is all spent
we'll go to sea once more.
You're the girl that I adore,
And still I live in hope to see
the Holy Ground once more

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostTue Dec 09, 2014 7:04 pm

and one from americay


As I walked out on South Street,
a fair maid I did meet
Who asked me please to see her home
she lived on Bleecker Street
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

I said, "My dear young lady,
I'm a stranger here in town
I left my ship just yesterday,
from Liverpool I was bound."
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

I took her out to Tiffany's,
I spared her no expense
I bought her two gold earrings,
they cost me fifteen cents.
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

She said, "Come with me, dearie,
I'll stand you to a treat
I'll buy you rum and brandy,
dear, and tab-nabs for to eat."
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

And when we reached the barroom, boys,
the drinks was handed round
That liquor was so awful strong,
my head went round and round.
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

When the drinking it was over,
we straight to bed did go
And little did I ever think
she'd prove my overthrow
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

When I came to next morning,
I had an aching head
And there was I, Jack-all-alone,
stark naked on the bed
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

I looked all around the room,
but nothing could I see
But a lady's shift and apron
which now belonged to me
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

Everything was silent,
the hour was eight o'clock
I put my shift and apron on
and headed for the dock
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

My shipmates seein' me come aboard,
these words to me did say
"well well, old chap, you've lost your cap
since last you went away."
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

"Is this the new spring fashion
the ladies wear ashore?
Where is the shop that sells it?
Have they got any more?"
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

The Old Man cried, "why Jack, my boy,
I'm sure I could have found
A better suit than that, by far,
to buy for eighty pounds."
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

So come all you bully sailormen,
take warning when ashore
Or else you'll meet some charming girl
who's nothing but a whore
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money

Your hard-earned cash will disappear,
your rig and boots as well
For Yankee girls are tougher than
the other side of Hell.
And away, you Johnny,
my dear honey
Oh you New York girls,
you love us for our money
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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostFri Dec 12, 2014 1:25 am

Great stuff JOE
My ipad controls my spellings not me so apologies from it in advance :) lol

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostFri Dec 12, 2014 2:33 am





more to come :hacker:

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Dec 20, 2014 2:30 pm

And who are you, me pretty fair maid
And who are you, me honey?
And who are you, me pretty fair maid
And who are you, me honey?
She answered me quite modestly,
"I am me mother's darling."

cho: With me too-ry-ay
Fol-de-diddle-day
Di-re fol-de-diddle
Dai-rie oh.

And will you come to me mother's house,
When the sun is shining clearly ( repeat )
I'll open the door and I'll let you in
And divil 'o one would hear us.

So I went to her house in the middle of the night
When the moon was shining clearly ( repeat )
Shc opened the door and she let me in
And divil the one did hear us.

She took me horse by the bridle and the bit
And she led him to the stable ( repeat )
Saying "There's plenty of oats for a soldier's horse,
To eat it if he's able."

Then she took me by the lily-white hand
And she led me to the table ( repeat )
Saying "There's plenty of wine for a soldier boy,
To drink it if you're able."

Then I got up and made the bed
And I made it nice and aisy ( repeat )
Then I got up and laid her down
Saying "Lassie, are you able?"

And there we lay till the break of day
And divil a one did hear us ( repeat )
Then I arose and put on me clothes
Saying "Lassie, I must leave you."

And when will you return again
And when will we get married ( repeat )
When broken shells make Christmas bells
We might well get married.

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Dec 20, 2014 2:39 pm

I'll tell my ma when I go home
The boys won't leave the girls alone
They pulled my hair, they stole my comb
But that's all right till I go home.
She is handsome, she is pretty
She is the bell of Belfast city
She is counting one, two, three
Please won't you tell me who is she.

Albert Mooney says he loves her
All the boys are fighting for her
They knock at the door and they ring at the bell
Sayin' "Oh my true love, are you well?"
Out she comes as white as snow
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
Old John Murray says she'll die
If she doesn't get the fellow with the roving eye.

Let the wind and rain and the hail blow high
And the snow come tumblin' from the sky
She's as nice as apple pie
She'll get her own lad by and by.
When she gets a lad of her own
She won't tell her ma when she goes home
Let them all come as they will
For it's Albert Mooney she loves still

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Dec 20, 2014 2:45 pm

As I walked down the Broadway
One evening in July
I met a maid who asked me trade
And a sailor John says I

AND AWAY, YOU SANTEE
MY DEAR ANNIE
OH, YOU NEW YORK GIRLS
CAN'T YOU DANCE THE POLKA?

To Tiffany's I took her
I did not mind expense
I bought her two gold earrings
And they cost me fifteen cents

Says she, 'You Limejuice sailor
Now see me home you may'
But when we reached her cottage door
She this to me did say

My flash man he's a Yankee
With his hair cut short behind
He wears a pair of long sea-boots
And he sails in the Blackball Line

He's homeward bound this evening
And with me he will stay
So get a move on, sailor-boy
Get cracking on your way

So I kissed her hard and proper
Afore her flash man came
And fare ye well, me Bowery gal
I know your little game

I wrapped me glad rags round me
And to the docks did steer
I'll never court another maid
I'll stick to rum and beer

I joined a Yankee blood-boat
And sailed away next morn
Don't ever fool around with gals
You're safer off Cape Horn

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Dec 20, 2014 2:52 pm

At Orenmore in the County Galway,
One pleasant evening in the month of May,
I spied a damsel, she was young and handsome
Her beauty fairly took my breath away.

Cho: She wore no jewels, nor costly diamonds,
No paint or powder, no, none at all.
But she wore a bonnet with a ribbon on it
And round her shoulder was a Galway Shawl.

We kept on walking, she kept on talking,
'Till her father's cottage came into view.
Says she: 'Come in, sir, and meet my father,
And play to please him " The Foggy Dew."

She sat me down beside the fire
I could see her father, he was six feet tall.
And soon her mother had the kettle singing
All I could think of was the Galway shawl.

I played "The Blackbird" and "The Stack of Barley",
" Rodney's Glory" and "The Foggy Dew",
She sang each note like an Irish linnet.
Whilst the tears stood in her eyes of blue.

'Twas early, early, all in the morning,
When I hit the road for old Donegal.
She said 'Goodby, sir,'she cried and kissed me,
And my heart remained with that Galway shawl

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Dec 20, 2014 2:59 pm

The Garden of Eden has vanished, they say
But I know the lie of it still;
Just turn to the left at the bridge of Finea
And stop when halfway to Cootehill.
'Tis there I will find it,
I know sure enough
When fortune has come to me call,
Oh the grass it is green around Ballyjamesduff
And the blue sky is over it all.
And tones that are tender and tones that are gruff
Are whispering over the sea,
"Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff
Come home, Paddy Reilly, to me".

My mother once told me that when I was born
The day that I first saw the light,
I looked down the street on that very first morn
And gave a great crow of delight.
Now most newborn babies appear in a huff,
And start with a sorrowful squall,
But I knew I was born in Ballyjamesduff
And that's why I smiled on them all.
The baby's a man, now he's toil-worn and tough
Still, whispers come over the sea,
"Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff
Come home, Paddy Reilly, to me".

The night that we danced by the light of the moon,
Wid Phil to the fore wid his flute,
When Phil threw his lip over "Come Again Soon",
He's dance the foot out o' yer boot!
The day that I took long Magee by the scruff
For slanderin' Rosie Kilrain,
Then, marchin' him straight out of Ballyjamesduff,
Assisted him into a drain.
Oh, sweet are the dreams, as the dudeen I puff,
Of whisperings over the sea,
"Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff
Come home, Paddy Reilly, to me".

I've loved the young women of every land,
That always came easy to me;
Just barrin' the belles of the Black-a-moor brand
And the chocolate shapes of Feegee.
But that sort of love is a moonshiny stuff,
And never will addle me brain,
For the bells will be ringin' in Ballyjamesduff
For me and me Rosie Kilrain!
And through all their glamour, their gas and their guff
A whisper comes over the sea,
"Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff
Come home, Paddy Reilly, to me".

Encore verse
I've struck oil at last!
I've struck work, and I vow
I've struck some remarkable clothes,
I've struck a policeman for sayin' that now,
I'd go back to my beautiful Rose.
The belles they may blarney,
the boys they may bluff
But this I will always maintain,
No place in the world like Ballyjamesduff
No guril (sic) like Rosie Kilrain.
I've paid for my passage, the sea may be rough
But borne on each breeze there will be,
"Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff
Come home, Paddy Reilly, to me".

unitedblogs

Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Dec 20, 2014 3:31 pm

As I went down to Dublin city,
At the hour of twelve at night,
Who should I see but a Spanish lady,
Washing her feet by candlelight.
First she washed them, then she dried them
Over a fire of amber coal,
In all my life I ne'er did see
A maid so sweet about the soul

CHOR: Whack fol the toora, toora laddy
Whack fol the foora loora lay

As I came back through Dublin city
At the hour of half past eight
Who should I spy but the Spanish lady
Brushing her hair in the broad daylight.
First she tossed it, then she brushed it,
On her lap was a silver comb
In all my life I ne'er did see
A maid so fair since I did roam.

As I went back through Dublin city
As the sun began to set
Who should I spy but the Spanish lady
Catching a moth in a golden net.
When she saw me then she fled me
Lifting her petticoat over her knee
In all my life I ne'er did see
A maid so shy as the Spanish lady.

I've wandered north and I've wandered south
Through Stonybatter and Patrick's Close
Up and around the Gloucester Diamond
And back by Napper Tandy's house.
Old age has laid her hand on me
Cold as a fire of ashy coals
In all my life I ne'er did see
A maid so sweet as the Spanish lady

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Dec 20, 2014 3:42 pm

The gypsy rover came over the hill
Down through the valley so shady,
He whistled and he sang 'til the greenwoods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.

Chorus:
Ah-de-do, ah-de-do-da-day,
Ah-de-do, ah-de-da-ay
He whistled and he sang 'til the greenwoods rang,
And he won the heart of a lady.

2. She left her father's castle gates
She left her own fine lover
She left her servants and her state
To follow the gypsy rover.

3. Her father saddled up his fastest steed
And roamed the valleys all over
Sought his daughter at great speed
And the whistling gypsy rover.

4. He came at last to a mansion fine,
Down by the river Claydee
And there was music and there was wine,
For the gypsy and his lady.

5. "He is no gypsy, my father" she said
"But lord of these lands all over,
And I shall stay 'til my dying day
With my whistling gypsy rover."

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Re: irish sea shanty's , songs and poems

PostSat Dec 20, 2014 4:03 pm

Oh all the money that e're I spent,
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm that e're I've done
alas it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall.
So fill to me the parting glass,
Goodnight and joy be with you all,

Oh all the comrades that e're I had
Are sorry now I'm going away.
And all the sweethearts that e're I had
Would wish me one more day to stay.
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not.
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Goodnight and joy be with you all.

If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile.
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall.
Then fill me with the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all.

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Dec 20, 2014 4:27 pm

The bos'un's mate was very sedate
Yet fond of amusement too
He played hop-scotch with the starboard watch
While the captain tickled the crew
The gunner he was apparently mad
For he sat on the afterrail
And fired salutes with the captain's boots
In the teeth of a booming gale



The captain sat on the commodore's hat
And dined in a royal way
Off pickles & figs & little roast pigs
And gunnery bread each day
The cook was Dutch and behaved as such
For the diet he served the crew
Was a couple of tons of hot-cross buns
Served up with sugar and glue


Then we all fell ill as mariners will
On a diet that's rough and crude
And we shivered and shook as we dipped the cook
In a tub of his gluesome food
All nautical pride we cast aside
And we ran the vessel ashore
On the Gulliby Isles where the poopoo smiles
And the rubbily ubdugs roar


Composed of sand was that favored land
And trimmed with cinnamon straws
And pink and blue was the pleasing hue
Of the tickle-toe teaser's claws
We sat on the edge of a sandy ledge
And shot at the whistling bee
While the rugabug bats wore waterproof hats
As they dipped in the shining sea


On rugabug bark from dawn till dark
We dined till we all had grown
Uncommonly shrunk when a Chinese junk
Came up from the Torrible Zone
She was stubby and square, but we didn't much care
So we merrily put to sea
And we left all the crew of the junk to chew
On the bark of the rubabug tree

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSun Dec 21, 2014 1:52 pm

If you ever go across the sea to Ireland,
Then maybe at the closing of your day,
You will sit and watch the moon rise over Cladagh
And see the sun go down on Galway Bay.

Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream,
The women in the meadows making hay;
And to sit beside a turf fire in the cabin
And watch the barefoot gossoons at their play.

For the breezes blowing o'er the sea to Ireland,
Are perfumed by the heather as they blow;
And the women in the uplands digging praties,
Speak a language that the strangers do not know.

For the strangers tried to come and teach us their way
They scorned us just for being what we are;
But they might as well go chasing after moonbeams
Or light a penny candle from a star.

And if there is going to be a life hereafter,
And somehow I am sure there's going to be,
I shall ask my God to let me make my heaven
In that dear land across the Irish Sea.

If you ever go across the sea to Ireland,
Then maybe at the closing of your day,
You will sit and watch the moon rise over Cladagh
And see the sun go down on Galway Bay.

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostMon Dec 22, 2014 5:17 pm

HENRY JOY


An Ulsterman I am proud to be
From the Antrim Glens I come.
Although I labour by the sea
I have followed flag and drum.
I have heard the martial tramp of men
I've seen them fight and die.
Ah, lads, I well remember when
I followed Henry Joy.

I pulled my boat up from the sea
I hid my sails away,
I hung my nets on a greenwood tree
And I scanned the moonlit bay.
The boys were out, and the Redcoats too,
I kissed my wife goodbye;
And in the shade of the greenwood glade
I followed Henry Joy. "

In Antrim town the tyrant stood,
He tore our ranks with ball,
But with a cheer and a pike to clear
We swept them o'er the wall.
Our pikes and sabres flushed that day,
We won, but lost, ah, why?
No matter lads, I fought beside
And shielded Henry Joy.

Ah, boys, for Ireland's cause we fought;
For her and home we bled,
Though our pikes were few still our hearts beat true,
And five to one lay dead,
And many a lassie mourned her lad,
And mother mourned her boy;
For youth was strong in that gallant throng
Who followed Henry Joy.

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Dec 24, 2014 1:26 am

There were three lovely lasses from Kimmage,
From Kimmage, from Kimmage
And whenever there's a bit of a scrimmage
Sure, I was the toughest of all
Sure, I was the toughest of all.

Now the cause of the row was Joe Cashin
Joe Cashin', Joe Cashin'
For he told me he thought I looked smashin'
At a dance in the Adelaide Hall,
At a dance in the Adelaide Hall.

When he gets a few jars he goes frantic
Oh frantic, oh frantic
But he's tall and he's dark and romantic
And I love him in spite of it all,
And I love him in spite of it all.

Now the other two young ones were flippin',
Were flippin', were flippin''
When they saw me and Joe and me trippin'
To the strains of the Tennessee Waltz,
To the strains of the Tennessee Waltz.

Now he told me he thought we should marry,
Should marry, should marry,
For he said it was foolish to tarry,
So I lent him the price of the ring,
So I lent him the price of the ring,

Now me da says he'll give us a present,
A present, a present,
An oul' stool and a lovely stuffed pheasant,
And a picture to hang on the wall,
And a picture to hang on the wall.

I went down to the Tenaney Section,
The Section, the Section,
The T.D. just before the election,
Said he'd get me a house near me ma,
Yes, he'd get me a house near me ma.

Well we're gettin' the house, the man said it
He said it, he said it,
When I've five or six kids to my credit
In the meantime we'll live with me ma,
In the meantime we'll live with me ma.

:mrgreen:

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Dec 24, 2014 1:43 am

ADMIRAL WILLIAM BROWN

From a county Mayo town came a man of great renown
As a sailor and a soldier was none bolder
He went to America at an early age they say
As a cabin boy to sail the wide world over

Then adventure took him south to the De La Plata mouth
San Martin was on the route in Argentina
So three whaling ships he bought and Brazil and Spain he fought
And freedom then he sought for Argentina

Now Admiral William Brown you're a man of courage shown
And in battles fought the odds were all against you
But your Irish heart was strong and in memory still lives on
And in Ireland there are some that don't forget you

On St. Patrick's day it's told you had many victories bold
You defeated all invaders thugs and bullys
Then through the Pampas rose and you found a happy home
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

He had heard of Irish hands in noble gallant bands
That helped to free the land called Argentina
He had heard with great acclaim the Patricios name and fame
When in 1806 the British came for slaughter

And to this very day in the Argentine they say
The English ran away from Buenos Aires
To the islands further down and they took them for the crown
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

We remember William Brown and his land of great renown
He, invader of the islands from your country
When in 1833 were by pirates forced to flee
And in Ireland sure we know the story fully

And the people that went too to the Argentine when new
To escape the English laws and wars and famine
They had proved a loyal crew just like all the Irish do
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

The old colonial days and cruel English ways
With her thunder plunder we will teach the natives
For the Brits are going to war just like Whitelocke did before
With her ships and guns and drums and flags and banners

In the Empire days of old when they murdered for gold
And paraded it around the streets of London
Oh no human rights were given to the natives dead or living
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

In the Argentine he died Father Fahey by his side
'57 was the year his country mourned him
A hero of the nation he's remembered with elation
Throughout the world where freedom still abounds

And the Southern Cross take note where bold Willie Bullfin wrote
The Irish still support you Argentina

With the Empire tumbling down let no Paddies back the crown
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

:mrgreen:

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Dec 31, 2014 9:55 am

THE HARP THAT ONCE THROUGH TARA'S HALL&

The harp that once through Tara's halls

The soul of music shed Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls

As if that soul were fled. So sleeps the pride of former days,

So glory's thrill is o'er, And hearts, that once beat high for praise,

Now feel that pulse no more.

No more to chiefs and ladies bright

The harp of Tara swells : The chord alone, that breaks at night.

Its tale of ruin tells. Thus Freedom now so seldom wakes,

The only throb she gives . Is when some heart indignant breaks,

To show that still she lives

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Dec 31, 2014 10:00 am

THO' THE LAST GLIMPSE OF ERIN WITH SORROW I SEE.

Tho' the last glimpse of Erin with sorrow I see, Yet wherever thou art shall seem Erin to me; In exile thy bosom shall still be my home, And thine eyes make my climate wherever we roam.

To the gloom of some desert or cold rocky shore, "Where the eye of the stranger can haunt us no more, I will fly with my Coulin, and think the rough wind Less rude than the foes we leave frowning behind.

And I'll gaze on thy gold hair as graceful it wreathes, And hang o'er thy soft harp, as wildly it breathes ; Nor dread that the cold-hearted Saxon will tear One chord from that harp, or one lock from that hair.*

* " In the twenty-eighth year of the reign of Henry VIII. an Act was made respecting the habits, and dress in general, of the Irish, whereby all persons were restrained from being shorn or shaven above the ears, or from wearing Glibbes, or Coulins (long locks), on their heads, or hair on their upper lip, called Crommeal. On this occasion a song was written by one of our bards, in which an Irish virgin is made to give the preference to her dear Coulin (or the youth with the flowing locks) to all strangers (by which the English were meant), or those who wore their habits. Of this song the air alone has reached us, and is universally admired."—Walker's Historical Memoirs of Irish Bards, p. 134. Mr. Walker informs us, also, that about the same period there were some harsh measures taken against the Irish Minstrels.

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Dec 31, 2014 10:04 am

RICH AND RARE WERE THE GEMS SHE WORE.*

Ricn and rare were the gems she wore,

And a bright gold ring on her wand she bore ;

But oh! her beauty was far beyond

Her sparkling gems, or snow-white wand.

" Lady! dost thou not fear to stray

" So lone and lovely through this bleak way ?

"Are Erin's sons so good or so cold,

" As not to be tempted by woman or gold ? "

" Sir Knight! I feel not the least alarm, " No son of Erin will offer me harm : — "For, though they love woman and golden store, " Sir Knight! they love honour and virtue more."

On she went, and her maiden smile In safety lighted her round the green isle ; And blest for ever is she who relied Upon Erin's honour, and Erin's pride.

* This ballad is founded upon the following anecdote:—"The people were inspired with such a spirit of honour, virtue, and religion, by the great example of Brien, and by his excellent administration, that, as a proof of it, we are informed that a young lady of great beauty, adorned with jewels and a costly dress, undertook a journey alone, from one end of the kingdom to the other, with a wand only in her hand, at the top of which was a ring of exceeding great value; and such an impression had the laws and government of this mo­narch made on the minds of all the people, that no attempt was made upon her honour, nor was she robbed of her clothes or jewels."— Warner's History of Ireland, vol. i. book x.

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Dec 31, 2014 10:16 am

On Lough Neagh's bank as the fisherman strays,

When the clear cold eve's declining,
He sees the round towers of other days

In the wave beneath him shining ;
Thus shall memory often, in dreams sublime,

Catch a glimpse of the days that are over;
Thus, sighing, look through the waves of time

For the long-faded glories they cover. *

Ireland; long before the birth of Christ we find an hereditary order of Chivalry in Ulster, called Curaidhe na Craiobhe ruadh, or the Knights of the Red-Branch, from their chief seat in Emania, adjoining to the palace of the Ulster Kings, called Teagh na Craiobhe ruadh, or the Academy of the Red-Branch ; and contiguous to which was a large hospital, founded for the sick knights and soldiers, called Bronbhearg, or the House of the Sorrowful Soldier."— O'Halloran's Introduction, $-c., part i. chap. v.

* It was an old tradition, in the time of Giraldus, that Lough Neagh had been originally a fountain, toy whose sudden overflowing the country was inundated, and a whole region, like the Atlantis of Plato, overwhelmed. He says that the fishermen, in clear weather, used to point out to strangers the tall ecclesiastical towers under the water. Piscatores aqua illius turres ecclesiasticas, quat more patriae arcta sunt et altce, necnon et rotunda, sub undis manifeste sereno tempore conspiciunt, et extrancis transeuntibus, reique causas admiraniibus, fre­quenter ostendunt.— Topogr. Hib., dist. ii. c. 9.

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Dec 31, 2014 10:24 am

said to be turned into a swan by magical spell
and left to wander the land for many centuaries
until christianity came to Ireland and released her

THE SONG OF FIONNUALA. *

Silent, oh Moyle, be the roar of thy water,

Break not, ye breezes, your chain of repose, While, murmuring mournfully, Lir's lonely daughter

Tells to the night-star her tale of woes. When shall the swan, her death-note singing,

Sleep, with wings in darkness furl'd ? When will heaven, its sweet bell ringing,

Call my spirit from this stormy world ?

Sadly, oh Moyle, to thy winter-wave weeping,

Fate bids me languish long ages away; Yet still in her darkness doth Erin lie sleeping,

Still doth the pure light its dawning delay. When will that day-star, mildly springing,

Warm our isle with peace and love ? When will heaven, its sweet bell ringing,

Call my spirit to the fields above ?

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Dec 31, 2014 10:43 am

If the fame of our fathers, bequeath'd with their rights, Give to country its charm, and to home its delights,

If deceit be a wound, and suspicion a stain, Then, ye men of Iberia, our cause is the same. And oh ! may his tomb want a tear and a name, Who would ask for a nobler, a holier death, • Than to turn his last sigh into victory's breath,

For the Shamrock of Erin and Olive of Spain!

Ye Blakes and O'Donnels, whose fathers resign'd The green hills of their youth, among strangers to find

That repose which, at home, they had sigh'd for in vain, Join, join in our hope that the flame which you light May be felt yet in Erin, as calm, and as bright, And forgive even Albion while blushing she draws, Like a truant, her sword, in the long-slighted cause

Of the Shamrock of Erin and Olive of Spain!

God prosper the cause!—oh, it cannot but thrive, While the pulse of one patriot heart is alive,

Its devotion to feel, and its rights to maintain. Then, how sainted by sorrow its martyrs will die ! The finger of Glory shall point where they lie; While, far from the footstep of coward or slave, The young spirit of Freedom shall shelter their grave

Beneath Shamrocks of Erin and Olives of Spain

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Jan 21, 2015 9:14 pm

CAPTAIN COULSTON

You landsmen all on you I call
You heroes stout and brave
That are inclined to cross the seas
Your homelands now to leave
Come join with Captain Coulston
That hero stout and bold
Who fought his way all on the sea
And never was controlled

We sailed away from Liverpool
The weather being fine
Bound for New York City boys
It was our chief's design
We being all Irish emigrants
The truth to you I'll tell
Who in distress our homes had left
And to Ireland bid farewell
On the evening of the 25th
our captain he did cry

Clear away the deck me boys
For a strange sail I do spy
And all you Irish emigrants
Awake now from your sleep
For in a few more hours me boys
You'll be slumbering in the deep
For a pirate ship is a-coming down
Just from the Western Sea
For to rob us of our property
Going to Amerikay

Oh the pirate ship came up to us
And ordered us to stand
Your gold and precious cargo
This moment I demand
Your gold and precious cargo
Resign to me this day
For one living soul you'll never bring
Unto Amerikay

Then up and spoke our captain
With voice both loud and bold
Saying we will slumber in the deep
Before we'll be controlled
Before that we'll surrender
Our property to thee
We'll fight like Irish hearts of oaks
And gain the victory

So the battle it commenced
And the firing did begin
They wounded the captain's mate
And killed two of his men
But our Irish boys were valiant and bold
And our canons loud did roar
And we killed ten of the pirate men
And turned them overboard

Oh the cries of women and children

As in the hold they lay
And our captain and his gallant crew
They showed an Irish play
The captain's wife she came on deck
Saying I'll soon end this strife
And with a pistol ball she took
The pirate captain's life

And it's to conclude and finish
The truth I'll tell to you
Oh we never lost a single man
Excepting one ore two
And the pirate ship surrendered
Just at the break of day
And we brought her as a prisoner
Unto Amerikay

:mrgreen:

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostWed Jan 21, 2015 11:04 pm

Clancy's Wooden Wedding

Five years ago last Sunday night when Clancy took a wife
'twas Little Bridget Haley who would stick to him for life
and he gave a wooden wedding the event to celebrate
and he sent out invitations to his friends both small and great

Now everyone was supposed to bring a present made of wood
some of the things they brought were bad and some were very good
but everyone who came they did the very best they could
when Clancy had a weddin' made of wood

There was all kinds of wood brought to the house that night
hard wood, soft wood and kindling wood delight
there was wood and wooden shavings enough to fill a bed
'twas brought to Clancy's house when he was five years wed

Now the first one to get there was Tim O'Hoolihan,
he brought for a present a Japanese fan
then came Maloney just as neat as a pin
he brought a cradle for to rock the baby in

O'Brien brought a sawhorse handsomely engraved
O'Toole brought a cord of wood for which he didn't pay
Murphy brought the clothespins and Ryan brought a broom
and it looked as though a lumberyard exploded in the room

Wood that came from China, wood that came from Spain
wood from Jerusalem across the ragin' main
wood that came from Russia sent by the Csar
wood that came from Ireland enought to build a car
wood that came from England, wood that came from Wales
wood that came from Scotland, wood that came from jails
they passed around the whiskey and they passed around the ale
and if the glasses wasn't big enough they used a wooden pail

everyone was feelin' good no one was feelin' dry
all around the glory and the glory it was high
someone asked Clancy, "Would he sing a song?"
Clancy said he would, but his voice was gone
Up jumped Maloney and he gave a recitation
all about the kind of wood that grew in every nation
"Begorra such a racket I can't keep it mum!"
O'Brien called Maloney an educated bum

well up jumped Maloney and he gave him such a whack
it raised up a hump in the middle of his back
that was the signal and they all began to fight
and the women hollared, "Murder!" and they said it wasn't right

Murphy threw the poker and it hit O'Hoolihan
O'Brien threw the kettle and he threw the frying pan
Patrick lost his false teeth and through the window dove
Maloney sat down on a red hot stove

Well there was all kinds of wood went flyin' through the air
Brady hit O'Grady with the round of a chair
Murphy took Sullivan and threw him on the bed
stabbed him with a clothespin and left him there for dead

Police got twenty five and thirty got away
they took then up before the judge the very next day
the judge looked them over as before them they stood
he gave them sixty days in jail...now they're all sawing wood

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Feb 14, 2015 4:19 pm

Across the Western Ocean
Capstan Chanty O, the times are hard and the wages low
Amelia, where you bound?
The Rocky Mountains is my home
Across the Western Ocean.

2. It's a land of plenty there you'll see
Amelia, where you bound?
I'm off across the Western Sea.
Across the Western Ocean.

3. To Liverpool I'll make my way
Amelia, where you bound?
To Liverpool that Yankee school.
Across the Western Ocean.

4. There's Liverpool Pat with his tarpaulin hat
Amelia, where you bound?
And Yankee John the packet rat.
Across the Western Ocean.

5. Beware those packet ships, I pray,
Amelia, where you bound?
They'll steal your stores and your clothes away.
Across the Western Ocean.

6. Wives and sweethearts don't you cry
Amelia, where you bound?
Sons and daughters wave goodbye
Across the Western Ocean.

7. Oh the jobs were bad and wages low
Amelia, where you bound?
The Rocky Mountains will be my new home
Across the Western Ocean.

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Feb 14, 2015 4:27 pm

Baltimore Shanty
And he kissed her on the face,
And the crew began to roar.
Oh, oh, up she goes, we're bound for Baltimore.
And he kissed her on the nose,
And the crew began to roar,
Oh, oh, up she goes, we're bound for Baltimore.
Chorus:
No more, no more, we go to sea no more,
As soon we reach the town tonight
We're leaving for the shore.

2. And he kissed her on the lips,
And the crew began to roar.
Oh, oh, up she goes, we're bound for Baltimore.
And he kissed her on the neck,
And the crew began to roar,
Oh, oh, up she goes, we're bound for Baltimore.
Chorus:

3. And he kissed her on the bosom,
And the crew began to roar.
Oh, oh, up she goes, we're bound for Baltimore.
And he kissed her on the mmmmmmmmmmmm,
hm hm hm hm hm hm hm,
Oh, oh, up she goes, we're bound for Baltimore.
Chorus x 2

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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSat Feb 14, 2015 4:39 pm

Boston Harbor
From Boston harbor we set sail
And the wind was blowin' the devil of a gale
With the ring-tail set all about the mizzen peak
And the dolphin striker plowin' up the deep
Chorus:
With a big bow wow, tow row row
Fal dee rall dee di do day.

2. The up steps the skipper from down below
And he looks aloft, boys, and he looks alow
And he looks alow and he looks aloft
And it's tighten up your ropes, boys, fore and aft.
Chorus:

3. Then it's down to his cabin he quickly falls
To his poor old steward then he bawls
"Fix me a glass that will make me cough
'Cause it's better weather here than it is up aloft."
Chorus:

4. While it's we poor seamen that are up on the decks
With the blasted rain falling down our necks
And not a drop of grog will he afford
For he damns our eyes with every other word.
Chorus:

5. Now there's just one thing we all do crave
That he will find a watery grave
We will heave him down into some dark hole
Where the sharks'll have his body and the Devil have his soul.
Chorus:

6. Now the old bugger is dead and gone
And damn his eyes, he's left a son
And if to us he doesn't prove frank
We'll very soon make him walk the plank.
Chorus:
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Re: irish sea shanty's and poems

PostSun Feb 15, 2015 2:30 pm

Thanx JOE.. Poems tell us so much in the lives of people
My ipad controls my spellings not me so apologies from it in advance :) lol

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