LOVE THE DRAKE
Mentioned earlier that we went to the 19th hole in Tres Pinos as part of our big day with the Champagne crew this last weekend. Big Al was picking some songs on the Jukebox when he came across a song on an “Irish Classics” CD named “Flaherty’s Drake”. Couldn’t hear the song too well at the bar, but did come home and search the net for the song and additional info. Found both. Poor old Nell Flaherty had a pet duck (a drake to be exact) that his dear old grandmum gave him. Some “dirty savage” murdered the poor duck and ate it with cabbage. The song goes on to tell of, not only his love for the drake, but what he hopes happens to the “the monster that murdered Nell Flaherty’s drake” Further research reveals that the song is an old Irish rebel song and actually a “code” song. ‘Nell Flaherty’ is a code name for Ireland, the `drake’ is Robert Emmett, hanged for leading an abortive uprising in 1803. Takes on a totally different meaning in that context. COOL! Either way its a great song and the message is clear. DON”T SCREW WITH THE FLAHERTY”S
Nell Flaherty’s Drake – Traditional Version
Oh my name it is Nell and the truth for to tell I come from Cootehill which I’ll never deny. I had a fine drake and I’d die for his sake That me grandmother left me and she goin’ to die. The dear little fellow his legs they were yellow He could fly like a swallow or swim like a hake. Till some dirty savage to grease his white cabbage Most wantonly murdered me beautiful drake Now his neck it was green almost fit to be seen He was fit for a queen of the highest degree His body was white, and it would you delight He was plump, fat, and heavy and brisk as a bee He was wholesome and sound, he would weigh twenty pound And the universe round I would roam for his sake Bad luck to the robber be he drunk or sober That murdered Nell Flaherty’s beautiful drake May his spade never dig, may his sow never pig May each hair in his wig be well trashed with the flail My his door never latch, may his roof have no thatch May his turkeys not hatch, may the rats eat his meal May every old fairy from Cork to Dun Laoghaire Dip him snug and airy in river or lake That the eel and the trout they may dine on the snout Of the monster that murdered Nell Flaherty’s drake May his pig never grunt, may his cat never hunt May a ghost ever haunt him the dead of the night May his hens never lay, may his horse never neigh May his coat fly away like an old paper kite That the flies and the fleas may the wretch ever tease May the piercin’ March breeze make him shiver and shake May a lump of the stick raise the bumps fast and quick On the monster that murdered Nell Flaherty’s drake Well the only good news that I have to infuse Is that old Paddy Hughes and young Anthony Blake Also Johnny Dwyer and Corney Maguire They each have a grandson of my darlin’ drake May treasure have dozens of nephews and cousins And one I must get or me heart it will break For to set me mind easy or else I’ll run crazy So ends the whole song of Nell Flaherty’s drake
The link to download the song is at the bottom of this page
