Juice of the Barley

from In The Old Style by Ginger Ackley

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"Juice Of The Barley" is a grand little song about drinking – and a jovial look at the hypocrisy that surrounds that pastime! It was one of the songs brought to the US by the Clancy Brothers and the other Irish bands that introduced us to Pub Songs. The Irish phrase that starts each chorus is an epithet against the folks that would turn us away from from the delights of the Pure... the Real Stuff. It was something of a rallying cry... well, as much rallying as you could muster after a few good shots: Cow's milk for the calves! (Meaning, of course, that the whiskey was for us!)

lyrics

In the sweet country Lim'rick, one cold winter's night
All the turf fires were burning when I first saw the light;
And a drunken old midwife went tipsy with joy
As she danced round the floor with her slip of a boy,
Singing, “Bainne na mbó ar na gamhna!” and the juice of the barley for me!

Well when I was a young lad of eight years old or so
With me turf and me primer to school I did go.
To a dusty old school house without any door,
Where lay the school master blind drunk on the floor,
Singing, “Bainne na mbó ar na gamhna!” and the juice of the barley for me!

At the learning I wasn't such a genius I'm thinking,
But I soon beat the master entirely at drinking,
Not a wake or a wedding for five miles around,
But meself in the corner was sure to be found.
Singing, “Bainne na mbó ar na gamhna!” and the juice of the barley for me!

One Sunday the priest throwed me out from the altar
Saying you'll end up your days with your neck in a halter;
And you'll dance a fine jig between heaven and hell
And his words they did frighten me the truth for to tell,
Singing, “Bainne na mbó ar na gamhna!” and the juice of the barley for me!

So the very next morning as the dawn it did break
I went down to the vestry the pledge for to take,
And there in that room sat the priests in a bunch
Round a big roaring fire drinking tumblers of punch
Singing, “Bainne na mbó ar na gamhna!” and the juice of the barley for me!

Well from that day to this I have wandered alone
I'm a jack of all trades and a master of none,
With the sky for me roof and the earth for me floor,
And I'll dance out my days drinking whiskey galore
Singing, “Bainne na mbó ar na gamhna!” and the juice of the barley for me!

credits

from In The Old Style, released March 1, 2012

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Ginger Ackley Cleveland, Ohio

Starting out in Texas, Ginger made it to Ohio as quickly as she could! Her music is full of magic and stories, seasoned with a love of folk and Celtic music. Her penny whistles often accompany her, too!

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