The Peeler And The Goat
Darby RyanThe Bansha peelers went one night
On duty and patrolling O
They met a goat upon the road
And took him for being a stroller O
With bayonets fixed they sallied forth
And caught him by the wizzen O
And then they swore a mighty oath
We’ll send you off to prison O
Hi-hecketty-giggle let go of me leg
Or I’ll poke you with me horn O
Hi-diddle-ee-dee let go of me
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn O
“Oh, mercy, sir!” the goat replied
“And let me tell my story O
I am no rogue, no Ribbonman
No Croppy, Whig, or Tory O
I’m guilty not of any crime
Of petty or high treason O
Me tribe is wanted at this time
For this is ranting season O”
Hi-hecketty-giggle let go of me leg
Or I’ll poke you with me horn O
Hi-diddle-ee-dee let go of me
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn O
“It is in vain for to complain
Or give your tongue such bridle O
You’re absent from your dwellingplace
Disorderly and idle O
Your hoary locks will not prevail
Nor your sublime oration O
For Peeler’s Act will you transport
On your own information O”
Hi-hecketty-giggle let go of me leg
Or I’ll poke you with me horn O
Hi-diddle-ee-dee let go of me
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn O
“No penal laws I did transgress
By deeds or combination O
I have no certain place of rest
No home or habitation O
But Bansha is my dwellingplace
Where I was bred and born O
I’m descended from an honest race
That’s all the trade I’v learned O”
Hi-hecketty-giggle let go of me leg
Or I’ll poke you with me horn O
Hi-diddle-ee-dee let go of me
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn O
“I will chastise your insolence
And violent behaviour O
Well bound to Cashel you’ll be sent
Where you will gain no favour O
The magistrates will all consent
To sign your condemnation O
From there to Cork you will be sent
For speedy transportation O”
Hi-hecketty-giggle let go of me leg
Or I’ll poke you with me horn O
Hi-diddle-ee-dee let go of me
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn O
“This parish an’ this neighbourhood
Are peaceable and tranquil O
There is no distrubance here, thank God!
And long may it continue so
I don’t regard your oath a pin
Or sign for my comittal O
My jury will be gentlemen
And grant me my aquittal O”
Hi-hecketty-giggle let go of me leg
Or I’ll poke you with me horn O
Hi-diddle-ee-dee let go of me
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn O
“The consequence be what it will
A Peelers power I’ll let you know
I’ll handcuff you, at all events
And march you off to Bridewell O
And sure, you rogue, you can’t deny
Before the judge or jury O
Intimidation with your horns,
And threatening me with fury O”
Hi-hecketty-giggle let go of me leg
Or I’ll poke you with me horn O
Hi-diddle-ee-dee let go of me
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn O
“I make no doubt that you are drunk
With whiskey, rum,or brandy O
Or you wouldn’t have such gallant spunk
To be so bold and manly O
You readily would let me pass
If I had money handy O
To treat you to a poteen glass
‘Tis then I’d be the dandy O”
Hi-hecketty-giggle let go of me leg
Or I’ll poke you with me horn O
Hi-diddle-ee-dee let go of me
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn O