Brian O Linn waltz

From Irish Street Ballads, Dublin 1935
Collected and annotated by Colm O Lochlainn


Brian O Linn had no shirt to his back,
He went to a neighbour’s, and borrowed a sack,
Then he puckered the meal bag in under his chin
"Sure they’ll take them for ruffles," says Brian O Linn.

Brian O Linn was hard up for a coat,
So he borrowed the skin of a neighbouring goat,
With the horns sticking out from his oxsters, and then,
"Sure they’ll take them for pistols," says Brian O Linn.

Brian O Linn had no hat to put on,
So he got an old beaver to make him a one,
There was none of the crown left and less of the brim,
"Sure there’s fine ventilation," says Brian O Linn.

Brian O Linn had no brogues for his toes,
He hopped in two crab-shells to serve him for those.
Then he split up two oysters that match’d like a twin,
Sure they’ll shine out like buckles," says Brian O Linn.

Brian O Linn had no watch to put on,
So he scooped out a turnip to make him a one.
Then he placed a young cricket in-under the skin
"Sure they’ll think it is ticking," says Brian O Linn.

Brian O Linn to his house had no door,
He’d the sky for a roof, and the bog for a floor;
He’d a way to jump out, and a way to swim in,
"’Tis a fine habitation," says Brian O Linn.

Brian O Linn went a-courting one night,
He set both the mother and daughter to fight;
To fight for his hand they both stripped to the skin,
"Sure! I’ll marry you both," says Brian O Linn.

Brian O Linn, his wife and wife’s mother,
They all lay down in the bed together,
The sheets they were old and the blankets were thin,
"Lie close to the wall," says Brian O Linn.

Brian O Linn, his wife and wif’s mother,
Were all going home o’er the bridge together,
The bridge it broke down, and they all tumbled in,
"We’ll go home by the water," says Brian O Linn.

Sounds like a wise man.

3/4 does not really match the rhythm. It should be 6/8 or 3/8.