Nell Flahertys Drake

Intro: 1st Verse) Oh my name it is Nell and the truth for to tell I come from Cootehill which I'll never deny I had a fine drake and I'd die for his sake That me grandmother left me and she goin' to die The dear little fellow his legs they were yellow He could fly like a swallow or swim like a hake Till some dirty savage to grease his white cabbage Most wantonly murdered me beautiful drake 2nd Verse Now his neck it was green almost fit to be seen He was fit for a queen of the highest degree His body was white, and it would you delight He was plump, fat, and heavy and brisk as a bee He was wholesome and sound, he would weigh twenty pound And the universe round I would roam for his sake Bad luck to the robber be he drunk or sober That murdered Nell Flaherty's beautiful drake 3rd Verse May his spade never dig, may his sow never pig May each hair in his wig be well trashed with the flail My his door never latch, may his roof have no thatch May his turkeys not hatch, may the rats eat his meal May every old fairy from Cork to Dun Laoghaire Dip him snug and airy in river or lake That the eel and the trout they may dine on the snout Of the monster that murdered Nell Flaherty's drake 4th Verse May his pig never grunt, may his cat never hunt May a ghost ever haunt him the dead of the night May his hens never lay, may his horse never neigh May his coat fly away like an old paper kite That the flies and the fleas may the wretch ever tease May the piercin' March breeze make him shiver and shake May a lump of the stick raise the bumps fast and quick On the monster that murdered Nell Flaherty's drake 5th Verse Well the only good news that I have to infuse Is that old Paddy Hughes and young Anthony Blake Also Johnny Dwyer and Corney Maguire They each have a grandson of my darlin' drake May treasure had dozens of nephews and cousins And one I must get or me heart it will break For to set me mind easy or else I'll run crazy So ends the whole song of Nell Flaherty's drake