Old Belfast Street Songs

MAGGIE WALSH

I’m a dacent wee girl Maggie Walsh is my name,

I was born in the Loney, the Falls Road, the same.

Sure I went over Millfield, and the Peelers were there,

They put their hand on my shoulder and then called a car.

It was early next morning about ten o’clock,

Before Judge McCarthy I was placed in the Dock.

He put on his eye glass and to me he did say,

“Is it you Maggie Walsh, that’s before me this day,

If it had been your first time,

Sure you might have got free,

But this is the third time on the books I can see.

One month I will give you, you’ll be out of the way,

For shouting “Home Rule on St Patrick’s Day!”

Sure the warder comes in and he opens your cell,

“Roll up yer aul blankets and empty yer poes,

And right about turn to the bone yard you go.!

 

The Doffer

You might easy know a doffer

When she comes into town

With her long yellow hair

And her pickers hanging down.

With her rubber tied before her

And her scraper in her hand,

You might easy know a doffer

For shell always get a man.

The Weaver

You might easy know a weaver

When she comes into town

With her old greasy hair

And her scissors hanging down.

With a shawl around her shoulders

And a shuttle in her hand,

You might easy know a weaver

For shell never get a man.