Phil The Fluther's Ball lyrics
The High KingsHave you heard of Phil the Fluther, of the town of Ballymuck?
The times were going hard with him, in fact the man was broke.
So he just sent out a notice to his neighbours, one an all.
As to how he'd like their company that evening at a ball.
And when writin' out he was careful to suggest to them,
That if they found a hat of his convanient to the door,
The more they put in, whenever he requested them
The better would the music be for battherin' the floor.
With the toot of the flute, and the twiddle of the fiddle-O!
Hopping in the middle, like a herrin' on the griddle-O!
Up! down, hands around, crossing to the wall-O!
Hadn't we the gaiety at Phil the Fluther's Ball.
There was Mister Denis Dogherty, who kep' the runnin' dog;
There was little crooked Paddy, from the Tiraloughett bog;
There was boys from every Barony, and "girls from ev'ry 'art"
And the beautiful Miss Bradys, in her private ass an' cart,
And along with them came bouncing Mrs. Cafferty,
Little Micky Mulligan was also to the fore,
Rose, Suzanne, and Margaret O'Rafferty,
The flower of Ardmagullion, and the pride of Pethravore.
With the toot of the flute, and the twiddle of the fiddle-O!
Hopping in the middle, like a herrin' on the griddle-O!
Up! down, hands around, crossing to the wall-O!
Hadn't we the gaiety at Phil the Fluther's Ball.
[Instrumental]
With the toot of the flute, and the twiddle of the fiddle-O!
Hopping in the middle, like a herrin' on the griddle-O!
Up! down, hands around, crossing to the wall-O!
Hadn't we the gaiety at Phil the Fluther's Ball.
First, little Micky Mulligan got up to show them how,
And then the Widda' Cafferty steps out and makes her bow,
I could dance you off your legs, sez she, as sure as you are born,
If ye'll only make the piper play, "The hare was in the corn."
So Phil plays up to the best of his ability,
The lady and the gentleman begin to do their share;
Faith, then Mick it's you that has agility,
Begorra Mrs. Cafferty, yer leppin' like a hare!
With the toot of the flute, and the twiddle of the fiddle-O!
Hopping in the middle, like a herrin' on the griddle-O!
Up! down, hands around, crossing to the wall-O!
Hadn't we the gaiety at Phil the Fluther's Ball.
Then Phil the Fluther tipped a wink to little Crooked Pat,
"I think it's nearly time," sez he, "for passin' round the hat."
So Paddy pass'd the caubeen round, and looking mighty cute.
Sez, "Ye've got to pay the piper when he toothers on the flute."
Then all joined in wid the greatest joviality,
Covering the buckle, and the shuffle, and the cut;
Jigs were danced, of the very finest quality,
But the Widda' bet the company at "handling the fut."
With the toot of the flute, and the twiddle of the fiddle-O!
Hopping in the middle, like a herrin' on the griddle-O!
Up! down, hands around, crossing to the wall-O!
Hadn't we the gaiety at Phil the Fluther's Ball.
With the toot of the flute, and the twiddle of the fiddle-O!
Hopping in the middle, like a herrin' on the griddle-O!
Up! down, hands around, crossing to the wall-O!
Hadn't we the gaiety at Phil the Fluther's Ball-O!
Hadn't we the gaiety at Phil the Fluther's Ball.
Song Details
Songwriter: Percy French (1854-1920) - He was a performer, painter, songwriter, and engineer by trade. He spent time travelling around Ireland, mixing with the locals and listening to their stories which he used as material for his song writing.
Date: He wrote the song in the 1880s during his early career as an engineer in County Cavan, Ireland.
Earliest known recording: Mr. Charles Tree on October 16, 1911. He was a British actor and singer known for his performances in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was particularly recognized for his work in comedic and light opera roles.
Brief: The song is based upon a story about a flute player who organized a ball for all the locals to attend. During the ball he passed the hat around, raising the money he needed to pay his rent as well as a tidy profit. The event was very well attended and fun was had by all.
Glossary:
Fluther - playful reference to the flute
Ballymuck - possibly used in the song as a playful or fictionalized version of "Ballinamuck," a real village in County Longford, Ireland.
battherin' - a colloquial way of saying "battering" or "beating." Here, it refers to stomping or tapping feet on the floor in rhythm to the music.
Tiraloughett Bog - made-up place name that fits the playful style of the song
girls from ev'ry 'art - a playful way to describe girls from every part or area, with "art" being a regional pronunciation of "part."
in her private ass an' cart - a humorous line where "ass" refers to a donkey. It's a whimsical depiction of Miss Bradys arriving at the ball in her private donkey and cart
Barony - a historical land division
"The hare was in the corn" - a traditional Irish tune
Begorra - an Irish exclamation, often used to add emphasis or surprise, similar to saying "By God!" in English.
Leppin' like a hare - jumping or leaping energetically, much like how a hare might bound through a field.
caubeen a traditional Irish hat, often associated with rural Irish men.
toothers on the flute - the action of playing or tooting on the flute
wid - a colloquial spelling of "with"
the cut - a specific dance step or move. It typically involves a sharp, intricate foot movement, where one foot "cuts" in front of or behind the other.
Widda' - Widow
bet - beat
handling the fut - a colloquial way of saying "handling the foot," referring to someone's dancing skills.
The Widda' bet the company at "handling the fut." - The Widow is being humorously described as outdoing everyone else at the ball with her exceptional dancing, particularly with her energetic and skillful footwork.
Genre: Irish Folk Song - humorous
Covers: The Irish Tenors, Brendan O'Dowda, The Dubliners, Celtic Thunder, Ruby Murray.
Featured Artists: The High Kings (live performance)
