Limerick Races

DESCRIPTION: The singer, "a simple Irish lad," goes to Limerick to see the races. He hitches a ride on a coach and four but is thrown off for not paying. He tries to bet, selecting whatever horse finishes first. He enjoys a play when they sing "Paddy Carey"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: before 1845 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 11(2132))
KEYWORDS: travel gambling music humorous
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Greig/Duncan8 1751, "The Braw Irish Lad" (1 fragment, 1 tune)
Hylands-Mammoth-Hibernian-Songster, p. 148, "Limerick Races" (1 text)
Wolf-AmericanSongSheets, #1259, p. 86, "Limerick Races" (1 reference)
Roud #12871
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 11(2132), "Limerick Races" ("I'm a simple Irish lad, I've resolved to see some fun, sirs"), Ryle and Paul (London), 1838-1859; also Harding B 11(2135), 2806 c.15(267), Firth c.19(84), Firth b.25(266), 2806 b.11(246), Firth b.26(276), "Limerick Races[!]"
LOCSinging, s107810, "Limerick Races" ("I'm a simple Irish lad, I've resolved to see some fun, sirs"), Hopkins (New Orleans), no date
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Paddy Carey" (mentioned in this song)
NOTES [64 words]: Greig/Duncan8 is a fragment; broadside Bodleian Harding B 11(2132) is the basis for the description.
Here is a "simple Irish lad" but not quite so simple as in "Paddy Backwards" and "Paddy's Ramble to London." One theme he does share with "Paddy's Ramble to London" is the coach trip abandoned for lack of funds. His adventures are mild and he comes off little the worse for them. - BS
Last updated in version 6.1
File: GrD81751

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