Girls of Coleraine
Burl Ives · Songs of Ireland [1958]
Burl Ives - Girls of Coleraine
As beautiful Kitty one morning was tripping,
With a pitcher of milk from the fair of Coleraine,
When she saw him she stumbled, the pitcher it tumbled,
And all the sweet buttermilk watered the plain.
Oh! What shall I do now, 'twas looking at you now,
Sure, sure, such a pitcher I'll ne'er meet again.
'Twas the pride of my dairy, Oh, Barney McCleary,
You're sent as a plague on the girls of Coleraine.
He sat down beside her and gently did chide her,
That such a misfortune should give her such pain.
A kiss then he gave her, and before he did leave her,
She vowed for such pleasure, she'd break it again.
'Twas haymaking season, I can't tell the reason,
Misfortune will never come single 'tis plain,
For very soon after poor Kitty's disaster,
The divil a pitcher was whole in Coleraine.
As beautiful Kitty one morning was tripping,
With a pitcher of milk from the fair of Coleraine,
When she saw him she stumbled, the pitcher it tumbled,
And all the sweet buttermilk watered the plain.
Oh! What shall I do now, 'twas looking at you now,
Sure, sure, such a pitcher I'll ne'er meet again.
'Twas the pride of my dairy, Oh, Barney McCleary,
You're sent as a plague on the girls of Coleraine.
He sat down beside her and gently did chide her,
That such a misfortune should give her such pain.
A kiss then he gave her, and before he did leave her,
She vowed for such pleasure, she'd break it again.
'Twas haymaking season, I can't tell the reason,
Misfortune will never come single 'tis plain,
For very soon after poor Kitty's disaster,
The divil a pitcher was whole in Coleraine.
Girls of Coleraine by Burl Ives
Burl Ives delivers a charming and nostalgic performance of 'Girls of Coleraine' on his 1958 album 'Songs of Ireland.' As a defining figure of American folk music, Ives captured the essence of traditional Irish ballads with his distinctive baritone and storytelling style. The song reflects the gentle, pastoral atmosphere often found in early folk recordings, showcasing Ives' ability to bring historical narratives to life through melody and voice. This track stands as a testament to his extensive catalogue of work that bridged American and European musical traditions, appealing to listeners who appreciate authentic acoustic recordings from the mid-20th century.