The Nigglers from Ballyvaloo


From Humphrey Currans the boys came all strolling
With scuts of moustaches not long started buddin'
With fanciful pipes they had briar, clay and wooden
Saying we're the bold Nigglers from Ballyvaloo.
We're a gay bunch of fellas all bound for Blackwater
The distance is only three miles and a quarter
And before we come back we'll have someone's daughter
For we're the bold Nigglers from Ballyvaloo.

There's Jimmy and Golden, Tommt and Miley
Two Malone's and Howlin came leisurely strolling
Jack Cush's mare ass was damm nearly foaling
When she saw the bold Nigglers from Ballyvaloo
Coming down by Kate Connolly's the rain was fast pouring
The children at Roche's were screaming and roaring
And Old Hyde's billy-pig, he was loudly snoring
When he saw the bold Nigglers from Ballyvaloo.

They walked down the road left, right and centre
Each man off Shipley's old block took a splinter
They knocked at Kit Owney's and quickly did enter
Saying 'we're the bold Nighlers from Ballyvaloo '
Miss Walsh danced with Tobin, Miss Tobin with Miley
Dan Murphy stepped shyly around Maggie Reilly
And brave Kitty Owney she winked rather shyly
At nice Billy Leary from Ballyvaloo.

They came to the Bridge and they all talked together
It wasn't of crops and it wasn't of weather
They talked to their colleagues like birds of a feather
And threatened to take them to Ballyvaloo.
Bridge Butler ran out with her long and led beezom
Saying, damm your eyes Doherty why don't you seize them
For they make the girls cry by the way they do squeeze them
And threaten to take them to Ballyvaloo.

At the sight of the beezom they all grew faint hearted
From Blackwater Bridge they all quickly departed
And it wasn't long till they were back where they started
At the bold Humphrey Curran's in Ballyvaloo

About the Song
This song was saved from oblivion by Denny Lacey.
The song is older than originally believed and probably dates from 1860's.