Heres another poem about the Dungloe Fair given to me by the late Paddy McGarvey from Loughanure about ten years ago. The Runaway Fair of Dungloe. This is a song that was quite common in the Rosses in the ‘30’s and early ‘40’s. I do not know who composed it. The Runaway Fair was held on the 4th February each year, and young couples who could not get their parents permission or blessing to marry, eloped. The chorus of course should be said or sung after each verse, which make...s it a very long song (or poem)? PatrickMcGarvey . (1) Though Mary loves Peter for many a season, Her Mother for Peter don’t care, And as she won’t listen to love or to reason ‘Tis off to Dungloe with the pair. (2) ‘Tis off to Dungloe, but they don’t go together, Their secret between them is planned, Sure Peter went early, a calf on his tether, And Mary crossed over the strand. (3) At four, the two met down at Mrs. Brennan’s, They stroll ‘round the town for a while. At five, the pair part at the door of Mulhern’s, On both their young faces a smile. (4) Now Peter goes one way and Mary the other, A second sly couple go too, ‘Tis Charley John and wee Bella McCrudden, The chapel’s their set rendezvous. (5) The priest is awaiting . . . . . the papers a-signing, They witness each other in turn, As Mary smiles slyly at Bella behind her, A blush on each beauty doth burn. (6) Two rings are produced and two pairs get a blessing, But singly once more each departs; No time for emotion, or kiss or caressing, Yet four leave with love laden hearts. (7) Next day there”ll be talking and gossip in plenty, What couples came here from Gweedore, From Acres and Ardveen, and far away Glenties, From Crolly, Croveigh and Falmore. (8) Then tighten your trousers Oul’ Andy Neal Owen, You’ll not yet be sixty ‘til spring, Put soft sort of spake, on yer Kitty McKeown, And tell her you’ll buy her that ring. Chorus. For this is the Runaway Fair of Dungloe, With tinkers and tailors, and high class and low, With soldiers and sailors and sellers of clothes, The folk are all standing “staneens” in rows, For this is the Runaway Fair of Dungloe.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 09:23:00 +0000
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