Red​-​Haired Mary

from In The Old Style by Ginger Ackley

/

about

“Red Haired Mary” is one of my favorite songs of Ireland – just fun to share with audiences. It is the story of a flirt that goes right, in spite of, shall we say, challenges? But the boy is persistent and the girl... well, she is definitely a fine Irish girl! I definitely had a lot of fun recording this track – and it is just as much fun to perform live!

lyrics

As I was going to the fair of Dingle
One fine morning last July
And walking down the road before me
A red haired girl I chanced to spy

Come ride with me, my red haired maiden,
My donkey he can carry two
She looked at me, her eyes a twinklin'
And her cheeks a rosy hue!

Chorus: Oh! Keep your hands off red haired Mary
Her and I will soon be wed
We'll see the priest this very morning
Tonight we'll lie in a marriage bed!

Now, when we reached the town of Dingle
I took her hand to say goodbye
When a tinker man stepped up beside me
And belted me in my left eye Chorus

Well, I was feeling kind of peevish
My poor old eye felt sad and sore
When I tapped him gently with my hobnail
And he flew back through Murphy's door Chorus

He galloped off to find his brothers
The tallest men I e'er did meet
When he tapped me gently with his knuckles
I was minus two front teeth! Chorus

Now, a peeler, he came round the corner
Said, “Young man, you done broke the law!”
When my donkey kicked him in the kneecaps
He fell down and broke his jaw! Chorus

Well, that red haired girl, she kept a-smiling
“Young man, 'I'll go with you,”' she said
'We'll forget the priest this very morning
Tonight we'll lie in Murphy's shed!” Chorus

credits

from In The Old Style, released March 1, 2012

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Ginger Ackley image

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!

contact / help

Contact Ginger Ackley

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

Ginger Ackley recommends:

If you like Ginger Ackley, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now