Hiring Fair lyrics
The Irish Rovers"You're welcome with me Johnny, and you're with a decent man."
But little I knew what I had to do for Grady of Stravan.
As I went down to the Hiring Fair in a place they call the Strand,
'Twas there I hired for seven long years with Grady of Stravan.
And before I went and hired with him, he was very nice to me.
He promised me eggs and bacon, and he then shook hands with me,
Saying "You're welcome with me Johnny, and you're with a decent man."
But little I knew what I had to do for Grady of Stravan.
When I went up to me bed that night, I let out an awful bawl.
For the fleas they made a fierce attack, and I got no sleep at all.
When I came down for me breakfast, what do you think I see,
But a dozen squawling children saying "Is there anything there for me?"
Saying, "You're welcome with me Johnny, and you're with a decent man."
But little I knew what I had to do for Grady of Stravan.
[Instrumental]
Saying, "You're welcome with me Johnny, and you're with a decent man."
But little I knew what I had to do for Grady of Stravan.
I worked on Grady's farm til I looked an awful sight.
Me bones were pushing through me skin, for I worked from morn 'til night.
One day, I died and passed away, and Grady gave a grin,
Saying "He'll make good fertilizer, and there's plenty more like him."
Saying "You're welcome with me Johnny, and you're with a decent man."
But little I knew what I had to do for Grady of Stravan.
Well "You're welcome with me Johnny, and you're with a decent man."
But little I knew what I had to do for Grady of Stravan.
Song Details
Composer: Unknown
Brief: Hiring Fairs were common in Ireland until the start of the Second World War. Many men, women and children sometimes as young as seven, would gather in the market place hoping to find a farmer who would hire them as farm servants.
This song is about one such man who got a job working for a ruthless land owner by the name of Grady. Work was hard and living conditions were appalling with very little food to go around. He was literally worked to the bone and died but Grady didn't care, as there were plenty of others that would take his place.
Category: Irish Folk Song
Album: The Unicorn (Jan 1, 1971).
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