Lanigan's Ball
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Lanigan's Ball is a popular "Irish Drinking Song" which has been played in pubs throughout the world for at least a century, and probably much longer. Typically performed in a minor key, it generally is played in an upbeat style reminiscent of the party atmosphere in which the story that the lyrics portray unfolds.
In Irish culture, and often in American culture as well (due to the large emigration of Irish peoples in the late 1800s and early 1900s) "Lanigan's Ball" is often used as a metaphor to describe a situation that has gone horribly awry.
The lyrics are in fact about a party funded on the inheritance of a young man's recently passed father. There is a suggestion in the lyrics that the party is thrown specifically for the young man to show off his new dancing skills which he spent months learning in Dublin. There is reference to drinking, and an accident occurring wherein some party members are offended, at which point a large "ruckus" ensues, and even a musician and his instrument are injured.
[edit] Lyrics
In the town of Athy one Jeremy Lanigan Battered away 'til he hadn't a pound. His father died and made him a man again Left him a farm and ten acres of ground. Myself to be sure got free invitation, For all the boys and girls I might ask, And without being asked both friends and relations Danced like bees 'round the sweet cask.
There were lashings of punch and wine for the ladies, Potatoes and cakes; bacon and tea, Nolans, Dolans, all the O'Gradys Courting the girls and dancing away. Songs they went 'round as plenty as water, "The harp that once sounded in Tara's old hall," "Sweet Nelly Gray" and "The Rat Catcher's Daughter," Singing together at Lanigan's Ball.
They were doing all kinds of nonsensical polkas All 'round the room in a whirligig. Julia and I, soon banished their nonsense And tipped them the twist of a reel and a jig. How the girls they all got mad at me For they thought the ceiling would fall. I spent six months at Brooks' Academy Learning to dance for Lanigan's Ball.
Six long months I spent up in Dublin, Six long months doing nothing at all, Six long months I spent up in Dublin, Learning to dance for Lanigan's Ball. She stepped out and I stepped in again, I stepped out and she stepped in again, She stepped out and I stepped in again, Learning new steps for Lanigan's Ball.
The boys were merry, the girls all hearty Dancing around in couples and groups, An accident happened, young Terrance McCarthy He put his foot through miss Finnerty's hoops. The craythur she fainted, and roared, "Bloody Murder," Sent for her brothers and gathered them all. Carmody swore he'd go no further 'Til he had revenge at Lanigan's Ball.
In the midst of the row miss Kerrigan fainted, Her cheeks at the time as red as a rose. Some of the lads declared she was painted, She took a small drop too much, I suppose. Her sweetheart, Ned Morgan, so powerful and able, When he saw his colleen stretched out by the wall, Tore the left leg from under the table And smashed all the Chaneys at Lanigan's Ball.
Boys, oh boys, 'twas then there were runctions. I got a kick from big Phelim McHugh. I soon replied to his introduction And kicked up a terrible hullabaloo. Casey, the piper, was near being strangled. Squeezed up his pipes, chanters and all. The girls and boys they got all entangled And that put an end to Lanigan's Ball.
[edit] External Links
- thesession.org Links to sheet music
- CDbaby Popular version of "Lanigan'z Ball" by The LeperKhanz.
