Irish Shore, The

DESCRIPTION: The singer wasted his youth on gambling and fast women. In London he spent his money on women and went to China. Now he is going home. "My rambling's oer, I'll hae a wife.... by pious works of sweet contemplation I'll end my days on the Highland shore"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1825 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 28(69))
KEYWORDS: sex rambling return gambling China
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Greig/Duncan3 534, "The Highland Shore" (2 texts, 1 tune)
Roud #5897
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 28(69)[some words illegible], "The Irish Shore" ("You curious searchers of each narration"), W. Armstrong (Liverpool), 1820-1824; also 2806 b.10(180), "Irish Shore"; Harding B 17(280a), 2806 b.10(211), Harding B 25(1756), Harding B 11(3471), Harding B 11(246), Harding B 11(247), Harding B 11(560), Harding B 11(561), 2806 c.18(283), "[The] Shamrock Shore"
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Ye Curious Sages
NOTES [81 words]: This singer blames all his misfortunes on women. In his youth "women's pleasures I freely tasted Which makes me wander thro' foreign clime." In London he sees "madams and crowds of lasses ... But do believe me their painted faces Are to ensnare us poor wanton slaves They hae nae love in their lewd embraces And we're all fools to their jilting ways." He condemns women of every country he has seen: "your gaudy dresses I do despise ... Wi' your surly looks and your greasy faces." - BS
Last updated in version 2.4
File: GrD3534

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography

The Ballad Index Copyright 2024 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.