Listen to this song!
Red Is The Rose
On March 13, 1937
Legendary musician Felix J Dolan is born. He played piano on the seminal recording "A Tribute To Michael Coleman" with Andy McGann and Joe Burke.
Home
The Band
» recordings
» photos
» videos
» news
» tour dates
» dún aengus
» past members
» influences
The Ballad Archive
The Forum
Contact Us
Account Login
CD QUIZ:
Answer these questions for a chance to win the King Laoghaire CD Courtin' the Ginger Lady.
1. What popular radio show were presented by Kieran Hanrahan?
Céilí House
An Fear Ceoil
The Late Session
2. What's the name of fiddler Maurice Lennons father?
John Lennon
Charlie Lennon
Ben Lennon
Name:
E-mail:
The Piper That Played Before Moses
(Derek Warfield)
Oh, come boys and I'll tell you a story
Of a piper who lived long ago
And he played all sorts of music
For friends and relations and foes
At hoolies and weddings and parties
Me lads, he was always the same
For he'd dance and he'd sing
And all sorts of things
Recitations and musical games

We invited him down to the party
He brought his old pipes just by chance
And we asked him to play a bit of a tune
He said: "No, I'll give you a bit of a dance"
So we gave him a naggin' of whiskey
And poured out a bottle of stout
And we cut a great hole in the bag of his pipes
And this is the tune that came out...

Oh, the piper that played before Moses
Was a comical bit of a tout
He'd all sorts of bellows and chanters
And ribbons and pipes hanging out
And when he'd go for to squeeze them
He'd huff and he'd puff and he'd blow
He'd scream and he'd shout
Till the music came out
And away to the races he'd go

We invited him down to the party
He brought his old pipes just by chance
And we asked him to play a bit of a tune
He said: "No, I'll give you a bit of a dance"
So we gave him a naggin' of whiskey
And poured out a bottle of stout
And we cut a great hole in the bag of his pipes
And this is the tune that came out...

He had all sorts of friends and relations
Who travelled from way overseas
With all sorts of grandeur and splendour
You'd nearly get weak at the knees
We cleared back the tables and dressers
When his cousin from Russia came in
On their hunkers they'd dance
They all took a chance
And kicked their heels to begin

We invited him down to the party
He brought his old pipes just by chance
And we asked him to play a bit of a tune
He said: "No, I'll give you a bit of a dance"
So we gave him a naggin' of whiskey
And poured out a bottle of stout
And we cut a great hole in the bag of his pipes
And this is the tune that came out...
As sung by the Wolfe Tones. The tune that "comes out" after each chorus is the jig known as "The Lark In The Morning".
« Back
NEWEST ADDITIONS
to the Ballad Archive:
1. The Galway Girl
2. Nancy Spain
3. Whiskey In The Jar
4. Lads Among The Heather
5. Mary From Dungloe
MOST POPULAR BALLADS
in March:
1. Ireland's Call
2. The Soldier's Song
3. The Raggle Taggle Gypsy
4. The Black Velvet Band
5. All For Me Grog
MOST POPULAR BALLADS
of all time:
1. Ireland's Call
2. The Soldier's Song
3. The Raggle Taggle Gypsy
4. After The Ball Is Over
5. The Black Velvet Band