Ron Kavana The Wife of the Bold Tenant Farmer

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'The Wife of the Bold Tenant Farmer' • (Trad. Arr. and sung by Ron Kavana) • Set to one of the most widely-used Irish melodies in the traditional repertoire, as in many of our best songs these lyrics work on several levels at once. Mentions of 'October' refer to October 1881 when 'The Land Irish League' was proclaimed an unlawful and criminal association . The line claiming the clergy are with us is also interesting. Although the League was not generally approved by the Catholic hierarchy, particularly following their branding as 'communistic' by the press, they were supported by Bishop Nulty and Archbishop T. W. Croke, first patron of the GAA ('Gaelic Athletic Association'). • One evening of late as I chanced for to stray • Bound for Clonakilty from sweet Timoleague • 'Twas at Ballinascarthy some time I delayed • There I wetted me whistle with porter • I kindled me pipe and I spit on me stick • And kept the coach road, like a deer I did trip • I cared for no bailiff, landlord or Ould Nick • And I sang like the lark in the morning • I scarcely had travelled one mile of the road • When I heard a dispute at a farmer's abode • 'Twas the son of a landlord, an ill-looking toad • And the wife of the bold tenant farmer. • He said 'What the Divil's come o'er you at all? • Not a penny of rent at each time that I call • But this month of October, I'll settle you all • For you'll have the high road for your garden . • You caffler , the bold tenant wife then replied • You're as bad as your da who's at the other side • But our National Land League will put down your pride • It's able to brave every storm. • Its branches extend to country and town • Protecting the tenants, their houses and ground • l owe you twelve months but I'll give you one pound • If you clear our receipts in the morning . • Your husband I saw in the town just last night • He was drinking and shouting for poor tenants' rights • But this month of October, we'll put you to flight • To follow your friends o'er the water . • If me husband was drinking, what has that to do? • I'd rather he drank it than give it to you • Now make up your mind or you won't get a chew • For your marshy auld land is no bargain. • We all joined the Land League on last New Year's Day • And I think in me heart we are not gaing astray • While the clergy are with us, we'll carry the sway • Now marshalling all in good order. • Here's to brave Parnell, the pride of our isle • He's the boy that can boycott you landlords with style • Then there's Davitt and Dillon, who rank in their file • Take care you don't tread on their corns . • • So then I stepped out from the bush where I lay • And as he passed by me I heard him to say - • I wish unto God I was ten miles away • From the wife of the bold tenant farmer . • So I shouted Hurrah and she shouted Hurroo • And he showed us his back as like lightning he flew • Sayin' God save the Land League and brave Parnell too • Agus fagaimid siúd mar atá sé . • (Sung by Ron Kavana) • ************* • About the song: http://gdaebouzouki.blogspot.co.uk/20... • About the singer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Kavana • About The Land League: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Na... • About Bishop Nulty: • www.cooperativeindividualism.org/nulty-thomas_back-to-the-land-1881.html • About Archbishop T. W. Croke: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_C... • About Clonakilty: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonakilty • About Timoleague: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timoleague • About Ballinascarty: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballinas... • About Parnell: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_... • About Davitt: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_... • About Dillon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dillon • About the GAA ('The Gaelic Athletic Association'): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_A... • Agus fagaimid siúd mar atá sé... : And let us leave him just as he is... refers to the rent collector and means let him carry on doing what he is doing because he and his like will soon be overtaken by the impending changes in Irish politics as agitation, boycotts and a mass refusal to pay any rents at a all led in the long run to sweeping changes that would eventually lead to independence for most of Ireland. The 'Wife of the Bold Tenant Farmer' was to be proved absolutely right in the end!

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