| Author | Topic: Add: The Mallow Fling | |
| dmcg | Posted - 03 Jun 05 - 08:43 pm | |
Now the sun is shining brightly; Old and young and stiff and sprightly, Treading swiftly, treading lightly, Dance the Fling at Mallow. O, the dancing through the town, O, the prancing up and down, Priest and parson, king and clown, Dance the Fling at Mallow. Till the fires of night are burning, Dance they all, sad sorrow spurning, Happy then to home returning From the Fling at Mallow. O, the dancing through the town, O, the prancing up and down, Priest and parson, king and clown, Dance the Fling at Mallow. Source: Singing Together, Summer 1975, BBC Publications Notes: The booklet simply states "Ireland." | ||
| Malcolm Douglas |
Posted - 04 Jun 05 - 01:27 am | |
The Autumn 1962 pamphlet adds "From New National and Folk Song Book' Part II. By permission of Thomas Nelson & Sons Ltd." The tune is described as "English Traditional" (and in Sing Together, 1967, as "British"). It seems to belong to the mid 18th century, and it's a toss-up whether English or Irish; if we're to take the title as evidence, then Rakes of Mallow may beat Rakes of London by a year or two. The lyric is modern, written by A H Body. The earlier song, Rakes of Mallow, appeared on broadsides; an example of the later 19th century can be seen at the Bodleian website. | ||