The Hackler from Grouse Hall - Irish Folk

The Hackler from Grouse Hall, written in the late 1800s out of the County Cavan.
The song describes an ongoing feud between local hackler Pat McDonnell and an RIC sergeant.
It seems Pat was fond of an auld sup of the poitin and apparently the RIC sergeant was opposed to the supping.
Who knows how it all turned out in the end, but id say there was poitin supped and thats the main thing.
Good luck!

Lyrics:

I am a roving hackler lad that loves the Shamrock shore
My name is Pat McDonnell and me age is eighty-four
Belov'd and well-respected by my neighbours one and all
On St. Patrick's Day I love to stray round Lavey and Grouse Hall

When I was young I danced and sung and drank the whiskey too
In shebeen shop that sold a drop of the real oul mountain dew
With poteen still on every hill the peelers had no call
in sweet Stradone I am well-known, in Lavey and Grouse Hall

I used to go from town to town, for hacklin' was me trade
Nor can deny I thought that I an honest living made
Where'ere I'd strayed be night or day the youth would always call
for to have the craic with Paddy Jack the Hackler from Grouse Hall
I think it strange how very much the times have changed of late
Coercion now is all the row with 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

That busy tool of Castle rule he wanders night and day
He'd grab a goat all by the throat for want of better prey
The nasty skunk he'd swear you're drunk and you took none at all
Oh there is no peace around the place since he came to Grouse Hall

'Twas on pretence of this offence he dragged me off to jail
Alone to dwell inside a cell me fortune to bewail;
Me hoary head on that aul bed, such wrongs for vengeance call
Oh he'll rue the day he dragged away the Hackler from Grouse Hall
He'd run pell-mell down into hell to search for poitin there
And won't be loath to swear an oath twas found in Killinkere
He'll search your bed from foot to head, the blankets, tick and all
Oh your wife undressed must leave the nest for Jemmy of Grouse Hall

Come old and young clear up your 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 won't deny I'll haunt him from Grouse Hall

Видео The Hackler from Grouse Hall - Irish Folk канала Paddy Boyle