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Sleeve Notes
During the past year or so The Jolly Beggarmen have brought a new kind of warmth and freshness to the often repetitious scene of ballad lounges. As a result this, their first L.P. has been eagerly awaited by all who have attended their every appearance on the Irish circuit.
This L.P. is an inspired combination of the finest of the old and the freshest of the new.
The group off stage and on are joviality in itself. Each one an artist in his own right, both vocally and musically.
Since I met them we have become great friends in a great and tireless business of entertainment.
George McDonald.
New York — Girls A folk song to polka time from the singing of Ted McKenna, it hails from the early influx of immigrants to America.
Brixton Prison — This rebel song tells the story of the famed Terence McSweeney, one time of Cork who died a martyr in a British prison.
The Lark in the Morning — The age old tale about a battle of the sexes in which the girl must suffer the consequences — as usual.
The Derry Air — We feel there is little to be said about this lovely air, other than its been given a nice arrangement by Tommy Jenkinson.
Whip Jambouree — A rousing sea ballad describing the homecoming from the high seas of beer thirsty seamen to Liverpool.
Byker Hill — A collier song deriving from 'Geordie Land' telling the story of two mines called Byker Hill and Walker Shaw.
High Reel — An updated version of an old reel arranged by Kevin Molloy.
Gentleman Soldier — Do not be misled by the title of this song! A young maiden is seduced by sweet talking legionaire of the King's Army, and 'wow' the consequences!!!
Hi for the Beggarmen — This song serves as a warning to all vulnerable young girls to be wary of glib tongued beggarmen.
First into this Country — The story of a forsaken lover in a strange land-song supplied by Donal Lunney.
High Germany — This song from the eighteenth century tells of a young recruit torn between the war and his spouse.
Farewell to Tarwathy — An English folk song telling the tale of a sailor about to embark on the hunt for deadly sperm whale in the cold waters of Greenland.
Willie Brown — The evils of time and motion.
Lord of the Dance — This song originates from a Welsh book of hymns, hence its religious overtones 'Alleluia, Alleluia'.
Lord Inchaquinn & Tabhair dom do Lamh — Two tunes here. The first, 'Lord Inchaquinn', was composed by the most famous of all Irish Bards, the blind harpist O'Carolan. It preceeds another fine air of long standing popularity — 'Tabhair Dom Do Lamh'.