The Hackler from Grouse Hall/The Monaghan Jig

Lyrics

I am a roving hackler lad that loves the Shamrock shore My name is Pat McDonnell and me age is eighty-four Belov'd and well-respected by my neighbours one and all On St. Patrick's Day I love to stray round Lavey and Grouse Hall When I was young I danced and sung and drank strong whiskey too In shebeen shop that sold a drop of real oul mountain dew With poteen still on every hill the peelers had no call Round sweet Stradone I am well-known, round Lavey and Grouse Hall I used to go from town to town, for hacklin' was me trade Nor can deny I thought that I an honest living made Where'ere I'd strayed by night or day the youth would always call To have the craic with Paddy Jack the Hackler from Grouse Hall I think it strange how very much the times have changed of late Coercion now is all the row with Peelers on their bate To take a glass is now alas the greatest crime of all Since Balfour placed that hungry beast,the Sergeant from Grouse Hall That busy tool of Castle rule he wanders night and day He'd grab a goat all by the throat for want of better prey The nasty skunk he'd swear you're drunk when you've had none at all Oh there is no peace around the place since he came to Grouse Hall 'Twas on pretense of this offense he dragged me off to jail Alone to dwell in a cold cell me fortune to bewail; Me hoary head on a plank of a bed, such wrongs for vengeance call Oh he'll rue the day he dragged away the Hackler from Grouse Hall He haunts the League, just like a plague, and shame for to relate The priest can't be on Sunday free the Mass to celebrate; It's there he'll kneel encased in steel prepared for duty's call For to assail and drag to jail our clergy from Grouse Hall His raid on dogs I'm sure it flogs, it's shocking to behold How he'll pull up a six month's pup and swear it's two year-old; Outside of hell a parallel can't be found for him at all For that vile pimp, the devil's imp and ruler of Grouse Hall He'd run pell-mell down into hell to search for poteen there And won't be loath to swear an oath he found it in Killinkere He'll search your bed from foot to head, sheets, blankets, tick and all Oh your wife undressed must leave the nest for Jemmy from Grouse Hall Thank God the day isn't far away when Home Rule will be seen And brave Parnell at home will dwell and shine in College Green; And our policemen then will be our nation's choice and all Oul Balfour's pack will get the sack and banished from Grouse Hall Come old and young clear up your lungs and sing this little song Come join with me and let them see you all resent the wrong And while I live I'll always give a prayer for his downfall And when I die I won't deny I'll haunt him from Grouse Hall