Mummers

transcribed at

The Mummers  [duchas:4998969]

Twelve young men assemble in some barn or old house, and learn to strike and dance with the music which is usually a melodian.
This is the Grand Signore's Rhyme.

Here I am the Grand Signore,
Known by the badge I wear,
No mortal being that rules this earth,
With me can compare,
To fifty nations I give law,
And strict attribute pay,
Woe to that (f) Frank or Asyrian
That would not me obey,
You boast of the Dardenells you blocked,
But your naval force defied,
Let you think on my British friends,
You'll have your effects supplied,
If Gods Mahomed you detest,
Who by his cap I swear,
Their bodies into two I'll cut,
And with wild horses tear,
'Tis long I've sought to find him out

The Mummers  [duchas:4998970]

In case he may be here,
Straight out of hand,
I do demand,
Him quickly to appear.
II
O, silly Russian do you think,
My name to exterpate,
Or to destroy my christiandom,
That was strong the creed by faith,
My capital you thought to take,
But my lofty walls defied,
For it would take a whole week long,
Around them for to ride.
When in my court,
You did behold,
Full fifty conquered crowns,
A golden store,
Some silver-ore,
And shining gold around,
A single combat on you I call,
Your life for to defend,
Tis with my steel your book I'll spill,
Or Mahomed is at an end,
III
Mahomed dear I am your friend,
The truth to you now tell,

The Mummers  [duchas:4998971]

The place where we are doomed to go,
Good christians call it hell,
With fiery flames and melting chains,
And candles burning low,
WHen I did decend to see my friend,
I found there frost and snow,
There my bones might melt and freeze,
And that for evermore,
Until some earthly miracle,
Did life to me restore,
When hovering (or) o'er those dangerous lakes,
Decending on the shore,
'Twas my friend, Charlie,
With his boat,
He safely sailed me o'er
'Tis for my life I value not,
Or fear not what I say,
But I call upon our captain
To commence the play.

Patrick Barden,
Grange,
Fethard,
Co. Wexford