This is the complete cut of this live performance with dialog and music before and after the song. It is from the 1980 Polydor Records compilation on vinyl entitled Another Feast of Irish Folk. At that time The Bards consisted of Diarmuid O'Leary (guitar, vocals), Ann Keaveney (vocals) and Christy Sheridan (mandolin). My previous upload of this was a truncated version recorded off the radio. The much slower tempo here than most performances captures its humor better.
Included below are the lyrics and dialog as they occur on this track with notes in the margin. Perhaps someone can provide the missing word or two from the Irish phrase "woman on the goat" and/or explain the meaning here. This is a traditional Irish song dating back at least to the 1860's if not earlier. The Brooks' Academy referred to is likely apocryphal since it is not listed in the 1850 directory for Dublin.
LYRICS & DIALOG:
Friends! On the bodhran here. This is Julia, [bodhran = a type of Irish drum]
otherwise known as "bean ar [?] 'n gabhar" ... "woman on the goat".
Easy Julia! Steady with that rhythm, woman!
In the town of Athy one Jeremy Lanigan [Athy = town in County Kildare southwest of Dublin]
battered away 'til he hadn't a pound.
His father, he died, made him a man again,
left him a farm and ten acres of ground.
He gave a grand party to friends and relations
who didn't forget him when come to the wall.
If you'll but listen I'll make your eyes glisten
at rows and ructions at Lanigan's ball. [ructions = disturbances or quarrels]
Six long months I spent in Dub-i-lin,
six long months doin' nothin' at all.
Six long months I spent in Dub-i-lin
learning to dance for Lanigan's Ball.
I stepped out. I stepped in again.
I stepped out again. I stepped in again.
I stepped out. And I stepped in again,
learnin' to dance for Lanigan's Ball.
The rhythm is good now Julia!
Meself to be sure got free invitations
for all the nice girls and boys I might ask.
Just in a minute both friends and relations
were dancin' as merry as bees 'round a cask.
There was lashin's of punch, wine for the ladies
potatoes and cakes. There was bacon and tae. [tae = tea]
There were the Norans, the Dorans, O'Grady's
courtin' the girls and dancin' away.
They were doing all kinds of nonsensical polkas
all 'round the room in a whirligig,
'til Julia and I soon banished their nonsense
and tipped them a twist of a real Irish jig.
Oh how that girl she got mad, and we
danced 'til you'd think the ceilings would fall.
For I spent three weeks at Brooks' Academy
learning the steps for Lanigan's Ball.
Six long months I spent in Dub-i-lin,
six long months doin' nothin' at all.
Six long months I spent in Dub-i-lin
learnin' to dance for Lanigan's Ball.
I stepped out. I stepped in again.
I stepped in again. And I stepped out again.
I stepped out. I stepped in again,
learnin' to dance for Lanigan's Ball.
The boys were as merry, the girls all hearty,
dancin' together in couples and groups
'til an accident happened. Young Terrance McCarthy
put his right leg through Miss Finnerty's hoops.
The creature, she fainted and cried "meelia murder", ["thousand murders" - expression of surprise]
called for her brothers and gathered them all.
Carmody swore that he'd go no further,
he'd have satisfaction at Lanigan's Ball.
In the midst of the row Miss Kerrigan fainted,
her cheeks at the same time as red as the rose.
Some of the boys decreed she was painted.
She took a small drop too much I suppose.
Her sweetheart, Ned Morgan, so powerful and able,
when he saw his fair cailin stretched to the wall, [cailin = girl]
he tore the left leg from under the table
and smashed all the dishes at Lanigan's Ball.
Six long months I spent in Dub-i-lin,
six long months doing nothin' at all.
Six long months I spent in Dub-i-lin
learnin' to dance for Lanigan's Ball.
I stepped out. I stepped in again.
I stepped out again. I stepped in again.
I stepped out. I stepped in again,
learnin' to dance for Lanigan's Ball.
Boys, oh boys, 'twas then there was ructions.
I took a lick from young Phelim McHugh.
But soon I replied to his fine introduction
and kicked him a terrible hullaballoo.
Old Casey, the piper, he nearly got strangled.
They squeezed up his pipes, bellows, chanters and all. [chanter = bagpipe part with finger holes]
The girls in their ribbons, they all got entangled
and that put an end to Lanigan's Ball.
Six long months I spent in Dub-i-lin,
six long months doing nothin' at all.
Six long months I spent in Dub-i-lin
learnin' to dance for Lanigan's Ball.
I stepped out. I stepped in again.
I stepped out again. And I stepped in again.
I stepped out. And I stepped in again,
learnin' to dance for Lanigan's Ball.
Hit me Julia! Hit me quick. Hit me with your rhythm stick.
Julia! Step out there girl and show 'em how it's done.
Easy Julia. Steady. Now Julia!
Show 'em the steps girl. I like it.
Ahhh, groovy, Julia! Groovy. Magic, woman!
