The Louse House of Kilkenny

Em

1. Oh, the first of me downfall, I set out the door,

D

I straight made me way on for Carrick-on-Suir,

Em

going out by Rathronan, 'twas late in the night,

going out the West gate for to view the gaslight.

G D Em D - Em

Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.

Em

2. I went to the town's hall to see the big lamp,

D

and whom should I meet but a bloody big tramp.

Em

I finally stepped over and to him I said:

'Will you kindly direct me to where I'll get a bed'.

G D Em D - Em

Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.

Em

3. 'Twas then he directed me down to Cooks Lane,

D

to where old Buck St.John kept an old sleeping cage.

Em

From out of the door was a small piece of board,

hung out on two nails with a short piece of cord.

G D Em D - Em

Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.

Em

4. Well, I looked up and down till I found out the door,

D

and a queerer old household sure I ne'er saw before.

Em

Then the Misses came out and these words to me said:

'If you give me three coppers, sure I'll give you a bed'.

G D Em D - Em

Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.

Em

5. Well, I then stood aside with me back to the wall,

D

and the next thing I saw was an oul cobbler's stall.

Em

And there was the cobbler and he mended his brogues,

with his hammers and pinchers all laid in a row.

G D Em D - Em

Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.

Em

6. Then she brought me upstairs and she put out the light,

D

and in less than five minutes I had to show fight.

Em

And in less than five more when the story was best,

the fleas came around me and brought me a curse.

G D Em D – Em

Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.

Em

7. 'twas all around me body they formed a march,

D

'twas all around me body they played the Death march.

Em

For the bloody oul major gave me such a pick,

that he nearly made away with half of me hip.

G D Em D - Em

Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.

Em

8. Now I'm going to me study, these lines to pen down,

D

and if any poor traveller should e'er come to town,

Em

and if any poor traveller should be knighted like me,

beware of Buck St.John and his black cavalry.

G D Em - D - Em

Faddly fal-da-diddle-ay-do, laddly fal-da-diddle-dero.

(orig. = capo 3rd) (Dubliners)