Bold Doherty

This version of the song was brought into the modern popular tradition by Sean Corcoran, who had it from Mary Ann Carolan of Drogheda.  While it seems to us to hang together better than most longer (and older) versions, there's a line in an 1804 broadside version that would fit well here:

"A pair of old stockings I wear that were darned..."

Adam follows our rendition with The Road to Lisdoonvarna on Uilleann pipes.

 

My name is Bold Doherty from the north country
Where there's a still upon every stream
Landlady be quicker and bring us more liquor
And fill us a pitcher that's stronger than cream.
If I had you Molly so pleasant and jolly
That's if it's no folly to ask you at all
And if I had a glass and a mile to the bottom
I'd drink to you Molly besides Donegal

With me fol de rol la, fol de rol lariddly
Fol the dol dariddly, fol the dol day
With me fol de rol la, fol de rol lariddly
Fol the dol dariddly, fol the dol day

I'd a grand pair of brogues I brought home from the market
I wanted an excuse to get in to the town
I told me old mother the seams they were ripped
And I wanted some rivets to rivet them round.
She clothed me fist with a bright pretty shilling
And says, The remainder it may be your own
And when you go to town you may take a full noggin
Beware you bring none of your fancibles home

With me fol de rol la, fol de rol lariddly
Fol the dol dariddly, fol the dol day
With me fol de rol la, fol de rol lariddly
Fol the dol dariddly, fol the dol day

While crossing the hills of me brave Enniskillen
I stopped at an alehouse for to take a dram.
There I saw two tinkers dividing a saucepan
Although they were arguing about a tin can.
Then one of them there threw an awl at the other
And says, You old villain I will take your life
For your saucepans are leaking, they won't hold the water
Since ever Bold Doherty spoke with your wife

With me fol de rol la, fol de rol lariddly
Fol the dol dariddly, fol the dol day
With me fol de rol la, fol de rol lariddly
Fol the dol dariddly, fol the dol day

Oh when I got home the door it was bolted
I knocked at my mother for to let me in
Be gone from this place were the words that she mentioned
For in through this door you will not venture in.
Now you may go back to wherever you came from
For to keep you out now I'm sure it’s no sin.
Says I, me gay woman, you may keep your temper
For I can get lodgings with Nora McGlynn

With me fol de rol la, fol de rol lariddly
Fol the dol dariddly, fol the dol day
With me fol de rol la, fol de rol lariddly
Fol the dol dariddly, fol the dol day
With me...