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The Devil and Bailiff McGlynn by June Tabor
The Devil and Bailiff McGlynn
Tuning:E A D G B E
Capo:no capo
Played in 6/8 time
[Intro]
G D G D G
[Verse 1]
G D G C
One fine sunny evening last summer I was straying along by the sea,
G D G D G
When a pair of quare playboys a-roving before me I happened to see.
G D D7 G C
Now to know what these boyos were up to, a trifle I hastened me walk,
G D G D G
For I thought I could learn their professions when I got within range of their talk.
[Verse 2]
G D G C
Now, one of these boys was the devil and the other was Bailiff McGlynn,
G D G D G
And the one was as black as the other, and both were as ugly as sin!
G D G C
Says the old boy, says he: “I'm the devil, and you are a bailiff, I see”,
G D G D G
“Oh! 'tis the devil himself!”, says the bailiff, “Now that beats the devil!”, says he.
[Verse 3]
G D G C
Now, a gossoon ran out from a cottage and took him up over the fields,
G D G D G
“May the devil take you!”, said his mother, as she rattled a stone at his heels.
G D D7 G D C
“Ah now, why don't you take the young rascal? your highness!” the bailiff, he cried,
G D G D G
“Ah, ‘twas not from her heart that the wish came!”, the devil, he smiling, replied.
[Verse 4]
G D G C
Now, close by a small patch of potatoes, a bonham was striving to dig,
G D G D G
When the owner come out, and she cried: “May the devil take you for a pig!”.
G D D7 G D C
Said the bailiff: “Now that's a fine offer! Why not take the bonham?”, says he,
G D G D G
“Ah, 'twas but with her lips that she said it, and that's not sufficient for me!”.
[Verse 5]
G D G C
As they jogged on, the gossoon espied them and into his mother he sped,
G D G D G
Crying, “Mother!” says he, “There's a bailiff!” She clasped her two hands and she said,
G D D7 G D C
“May the devil take that ugly bailiff!” Said the old boy, “Bedad! That'll do!!
G D G D G
'twas straight from her heart that she said it; so Bailiff McGlynn, I'll take you!”
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