FOLEY
David Foley writes and presents a short folk opera about his Shaddongate and Caldewgate folks, featuring: 'They Nivver Wadd Dee As Theer Telt', sung by John M Stubbs with David Foley and 'F.O.L.E.Y' sung by David Foley, with fiddle by Amy Reed. The film is brilliantly animated by Helen Woolston. With thanks to Tullie House and Cumbria Archives and Libraries for images. See song lyrics below.
They nivver would dee as they're telt
I'll tell you a tale of old Carlisle past
In the years afore the greet war
Past cathedral and castle see the pubs by the bridge
But the brewerys the best of them aw'
In Shaddongate and Cawdigate folks
grafting night and day
In Calico, Biscuits and Beer
And Tommy sez soon - if Dixons div' nt fo doon
mebbes we can all climb to the moon
But there's conflict in Shaddongate
troops, blood and welts
cos they nivver would dee as they're telt
If its nationhood race, religion, class war
I promise you they fought
they fought for them aw
if its nationhood race, religion, class war
I promise you
they fought
they fought for them aw
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F.O.L.E.Y
Foghlú, meaning plunderer. The name would have been given to outlaws such as pirates.
I'm the son of a pirate in the Irish Sea
if you're believing me
Emerald sea and steel grey sky F.O.L.E.Y
Grandma Foley said to me they're only two men in history
only two men that I despise ai yi yi ya yi
Grandma Foley said to me -MY heroe's funeral on TV-
only two men I truly curse; Hitler and the man in that hearse.
I'm the son of a pirate on the Irish Sea
if you're believing me
Emerald sea and steel grey sky F.O.L.E.Y
Hubert John and brother Tom and cousin Fred fought in the Somme
Three left Carlisle only one came home
maimed and shrapnelled and dieing young.
Their dad John Henry sings them rebel songs
but first generation immigrant lads to Cawdigate belong
Carlisle United but a decade old
Shaddongate lads in Devonshire park never miss a goal
They say -buy me a pint on a saturday night
buy me a pint on a saturday night
buy me a pint on a saturday night ai yi yi yah yi (I've nee money bonnie lad)
buy me a pint on a saturday night
buy me a pint on a saturday night
buy me a pint on a saturday night ai yi yah yi yi ( I've nee loower son eh!)
Treat me to a pint in the old blue lugs
buy me one in the Pheasant bar Sailor,
Farrier, Milbourne arms and Dragon Dragon green
Joiners Arms and serious Sailor swinging Globe
and Duke of York, kicking up the sawdust in the Irish Gate
I'm the son of a pirate on the Irish Sea
if you're believing me
Emerald sea and steel grey sky F.O.L.E.Y
What is legend what is myth did he really say
"Well a little bloodshed would not go amiss"
Not a penny off the pay not a minute on the day
Not a penny off the pay not a minute on the day
Not a penny off the pay not a minute on the day Ai Yi yi yah Yi
Say "Spread a little lively terror out there
Spread a little lively terror out there
Spread a little lively terror out there" for the lads who faced the German guns
Grandma Foley said to me there are lessons in our history
-if we don't learn them we're doomed you see to repeat mistakes
in perpetuity.
I'm the son of a pirate on the Irish Sea
if you're believing me
Emerald sea and steel grey sky F.O.L.E.Y
F. O .L. E. Y
F. O .L. E. Y
F. O .L. E. Y
F. O .L. E. Y
F. O .L. E. Y