Makem and Clancy Day 2

Entry for October 2nd

My father was an Irishman. While he left Ireland, Ireland never left him, and I grew up listening to Irish music. My father loved the music; we all did, really. It was joyful and infectious, cleverly done and funny. My father's favorite group was the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.


Several months ago, I was surfing Makem and Clancy on YouTube, and found a song called Mary Mack. NOT Miss Mary Mack, but a Scottish song about a lass called Mary Mack. I'd never heard it before, but it made me chuckle. The words aren't especially funny, but the way it was performed was. The song's a tongue-twister and I truly enjoy it. I'm including the lyrics.

Lyrics

There's a nice wee lass an her name is Mary Mack
Mak nae mistake, she's the miss I'm gaun tae tak
There's a lot o ither chaps wha would get up on her track
But I'm thinkin they'll hae tae get up early.

Chorus:
Mary Mack's faither's makin Mary Mack mairy me
My faither's makin me mairy Mary Mack
An I'm gaun tae mairy Mary tae get mairrit an tak care o me
We'll aw be makin merry when I mairy Mary Mack

Chorus

This wee lass she haes a lot of brass
She haes a lot of gas, her faither thinks I'm class
An I'd be a silly ass tae let the matter pass
For her faither thinks she suits me fairly.

Chorus

Noo Mary an her mither gang an awful lot thegither
In fact you niver see the wan, or the wan withoot the ither
An the fellows often wonder if its Mary or her mither
Or the baith o them thegether that I'm courtin.

Chorus

Noo the weddin day's on Wednesday an everythin's arranged
Her name will soon be changed tae mine, unless her mind be changed
An we're makin the arrangements, faith, I'm just aboot deranged
For mairriage is an awfu undertakin.

Chorus

It's sure tae be a grand affair an grander than a fair
A coach an pair for rich an poor an every pair that's there
We'll dine upon the finest fare, I'm sure tae get ma share
If I don't we'll aw be very much mistaken.

Chorus


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJsAYO4EB3w&index=1&list=PL5205669E863879C8