Look Who it Was Random video

12-string Guitar: Bold Tenant Farmer

830 views · Published 30 April 2009 · 6:17 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: threelegsoman · 2009 · Music

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Now I have it fixed, I am using the 12 string more, though after playing it for a while, I tend to get some cramp in my left hand, hence the muffed chords near the end of this song. 
The song being quite long, and having taken quite a few takes to get what I have, you will have to excuse the crackles from the microphone, but there is no way I could manage another attempt tonight. The last line of the last verse is in Erse, which I neither speak nor understand, so please forgive my poor attempt at pronunciation, and if you can, please translate the line for me. Thank you.
I am not sure why the title is the Bold Tenant Farmer, when it is his wife that is the heroine of the story!

Bold Tenant Farmer
Traditional
No capo

B7    E                  B7            E               B7                    E                                                A
One evening of late into Bandon I strayed I was bound for Clonakilty I was making me way
      E             A                     E                                    B7
At Ballinishcarthy some time I delayed for to wet me auld whistle with porter

Tithery-ow-tow, tithery-ow-tow, tithery-ow-tow-tow-tum tithery-ow-tow, tithery-ow-tow, tithery-ow-tow-tow-tum
Tithery-ow-tah-den, tithery-ow-tow tithery-ow-tow-tum tithery-ow-tah-den, doodle-e-darrow

Well I spat in me fist and I picked up me stick and up the coach road like a deer I did skip
For I care not for bailiff landlord or auld Nick and sang like a lark in the morning

Well I scarcely had travelled one mile of the road when I heard a dispute in a farmers abode
The son of the landlord an ill looking toad and the wife of the bold tenant farmer

He said what the devil's come over you all? Not one penny of rent at each time that I call
By next October I'll settle you all for you'll have the high road for your garden

"A robber" the bold tenant’s wife she replied "You're as bad as your daddy on the other side
But the National Land League will put down your pride for they're able to bear every storm

Its branches extend to country and town protecting the tenants, their houses and ground
I owe you twelve months and I'll give you one pound if you clear our receipts in the morning

When she spoke of the Land League his lips they grew pale saying "What good have you done but be stuck into jail
And the rent that you owe you must pay by next gale and believe me, we'll give you no quarter

Your husband I saw in the town just last night drinking and shouting for poor tenants rights
But the month of October we'll put you to flight to follow your friends o'er the water

If my husband was drinking what has that to do? I'd rather he'd drink it than give it to you
Now make up your mind for you won't get a chew for wet marshy land is no bargain

We all joined the Land League on last New Year’s Day and I think, in my heart, we're not going astray
While the clergy are with us we'll carry the sway now marshalling all in good order

"Here's to Father O'Leary the pride of our isle he's the boy that can title you ruffians in style
John Dillon and Davitt who rank in their file take care you don't tread on their corns

Then I stepped out from the bush where I lay and as he passed by me I heard him to say
"I wish to my God I was ten miles away from the wife of the bold tenant farmer"

I shouted "Hurrah" and she shouted "Huroo" he showed his back and like lightning he flew
Saying "God save the Land League and old Ireland too agus fagáimead siúd mar atá sé

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