Phil the Fluter's Ball lyrics and guitar chords
Written by Percy French, Sang here by Brendan O'Dowda in the youtube video, also recorded by Peggy Dell, The Two Ronnies, Peter Dawson.The sheet music notes are included. This song uses the same tune of Delaney's Donkey.
Song Meaning.
"Phil the Fluter’s Ball" is a humorous and lively Irish folk song written by Percy French in the late 19th century. The song tells the story of Phil, a village flutist, who hosts a grand party (or "ball") at his home, and it humorously depicts the chaos and fun that ensue. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
1. Celebration of Irish Social Life
The song captures the joy and excitement of a traditional Irish gathering, filled with music, dancing, and merriment. Phil’s ball is described as a lively and inclusive event where people from all walks of life come together to enjoy themselves.
2. Characters and Exaggeration
The song introduces a range of colorful characters, each contributing to the humor of the story. The guests include everyone from high-society ladies to local farmers, each dancing and having fun in their own way.
The exaggerated descriptions add a comical, lighthearted tone, painting a picture of a chaotic yet joyous event.
3. Phil as a Symbol of Irish Music and Community
Phil is depicted as a beloved figure in the village, symbolizing the importance of music in Irish culture. His flute playing brings the entire community together, highlighting how music is central to Irish identity and social gatherings.
4. Irish Humor and Wit
The song is filled with playful, witty lyrics that reflect Irish humor. The chaotic nature of the ball, with people dancing wildly and causing minor mishaps, is depicted in an affectionate and comedic way.
The rhyme scheme and rhythm make the song easy to sing and perfect for pub singalongs.
5. Themes of Inclusivity and Togetherness
Despite the ball’s chaos, the underlying message is one of community and unity. People from different social classes and backgrounds come together to celebrate, emphasizing the warmth and camaraderie often found in Irish culture.
In summary, "Phil the Fluter’s Ball" is a joyful and humorous celebration of Irish music, dance, and community spirit. Its playful storytelling and lively rhythm have made it a popular and enduring favorite in Irish folk music traditions.
Song Meaning.
"Phil the Fluter’s Ball" is a humorous and lively Irish folk song written by Percy French in the late 19th century. The song tells the story of Phil, a village flutist, who hosts a grand party (or "ball") at his home, and it humorously depicts the chaos and fun that ensue. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
1. Celebration of Irish Social Life
The song captures the joy and excitement of a traditional Irish gathering, filled with music, dancing, and merriment. Phil’s ball is described as a lively and inclusive event where people from all walks of life come together to enjoy themselves.
2. Characters and Exaggeration
The song introduces a range of colorful characters, each contributing to the humor of the story. The guests include everyone from high-society ladies to local farmers, each dancing and having fun in their own way.
The exaggerated descriptions add a comical, lighthearted tone, painting a picture of a chaotic yet joyous event.
3. Phil as a Symbol of Irish Music and Community
Phil is depicted as a beloved figure in the village, symbolizing the importance of music in Irish culture. His flute playing brings the entire community together, highlighting how music is central to Irish identity and social gatherings.
4. Irish Humor and Wit
The song is filled with playful, witty lyrics that reflect Irish humor. The chaotic nature of the ball, with people dancing wildly and causing minor mishaps, is depicted in an affectionate and comedic way.
The rhyme scheme and rhythm make the song easy to sing and perfect for pub singalongs.
5. Themes of Inclusivity and Togetherness
Despite the ball’s chaos, the underlying message is one of community and unity. People from different social classes and backgrounds come together to celebrate, emphasizing the warmth and camaraderie often found in Irish culture.
In summary, "Phil the Fluter’s Ball" is a joyful and humorous celebration of Irish music, dance, and community spirit. Its playful storytelling and lively rhythm have made it a popular and enduring favorite in Irish folk music traditions.
Have you (G)heard of Phil the Fluther, of the (C)town of Bally(Bm)muck?
The (G)times were going (Bm)hard with him, in (G)fact the man was (D)broke.
So he (G)just sent out a notice to his (C)neighbors, one an (Bm)all
As to (G)how he'd like their company that (C)evening (D)at a (G)ball.
And when writin' (D)out he was (Em)careful to (Bm)suggest to them,
That (G)if they found a (D)hat of his con(A)venient to the (D)dure, (door)
The (G)more they put (D)in, when(Em)ever he re(Bm)quested them
The better would the (G)music be for (Bm)battherin' the (D)flure.(floor)
With the (G)toot of the flute, And the (C)twiddle of the (G)fiddle, O;
Hopping in the middle, like a herrin' on the (D)griddle, O.
(G)Up! down, hands aroun', (C)crossin' to the (G)wall
Oh!, hadn't we the gaiety at (C)Phil the (D)fluther's (G)ball
There was Misther Denis Dogherty, who kep' the runnin' dog;
There was little crooked Paddy, from the Tiraloughett bog;
There was boys from every Barony, and girls from ev'ry 'art'
And the beautiful Miss Bradys, in a private ass an' cart,
And along with them came bouncing Mrs. Cafferty,
Little Micky Mulligan was also to the fore,
Rose, Suzanne, and Margaret O'Rafferty,
The flower of Ardmagullion, and the pride of Pethravore.
CHORUS
First, little Micky Mulligan got up to show them how,
And then the Widda' Cafferty steps out and makes her bow,
I could dance you off your legs, sez her, 'as sure as you are born,
If ye'll only make the piper play, "The hare was in the corn."'
So Phil plays up to the best of his ability,
The lady and the gentleman begin to do their share;
'Faith then Mick, it's you that has agility:
Begorra Mrs. Cafferty, yer leppin' like a hare!'
CHORUS
Then Phil the Fluther tipped a wink to little Crooked Pat,
'I think it's nearly time,' sez he, 'for passin' round the hat.'
So Paddy pass'd the caubeen round, and looking mighty cute
Sez, 'Ye've got to pay the piper when he toothers on the flute.'
Then all joined in wid the greatest joviality,
Covering the buckle, and the shuffle, and the cut;
Jigs were danced, of the very finest quality,
But the Widda' bet the company at 'handling the fut.'
The (G)times were going (Bm)hard with him, in (G)fact the man was (D)broke.
So he (G)just sent out a notice to his (C)neighbors, one an (Bm)all
As to (G)how he'd like their company that (C)evening (D)at a (G)ball.
And when writin' (D)out he was (Em)careful to (Bm)suggest to them,
That (G)if they found a (D)hat of his con(A)venient to the (D)dure, (door)
The (G)more they put (D)in, when(Em)ever he re(Bm)quested them
The better would the (G)music be for (Bm)battherin' the (D)flure.(floor)
With the (G)toot of the flute, And the (C)twiddle of the (G)fiddle, O;
Hopping in the middle, like a herrin' on the (D)griddle, O.
(G)Up! down, hands aroun', (C)crossin' to the (G)wall
Oh!, hadn't we the gaiety at (C)Phil the (D)fluther's (G)ball
There was Misther Denis Dogherty, who kep' the runnin' dog;
There was little crooked Paddy, from the Tiraloughett bog;
There was boys from every Barony, and girls from ev'ry 'art'
And the beautiful Miss Bradys, in a private ass an' cart,
And along with them came bouncing Mrs. Cafferty,
Little Micky Mulligan was also to the fore,
Rose, Suzanne, and Margaret O'Rafferty,
The flower of Ardmagullion, and the pride of Pethravore.
CHORUS
First, little Micky Mulligan got up to show them how,
And then the Widda' Cafferty steps out and makes her bow,
I could dance you off your legs, sez her, 'as sure as you are born,
If ye'll only make the piper play, "The hare was in the corn."'
So Phil plays up to the best of his ability,
The lady and the gentleman begin to do their share;
'Faith then Mick, it's you that has agility:
Begorra Mrs. Cafferty, yer leppin' like a hare!'
CHORUS
Then Phil the Fluther tipped a wink to little Crooked Pat,
'I think it's nearly time,' sez he, 'for passin' round the hat.'
So Paddy pass'd the caubeen round, and looking mighty cute
Sez, 'Ye've got to pay the piper when he toothers on the flute.'
Then all joined in wid the greatest joviality,
Covering the buckle, and the shuffle, and the cut;
Jigs were danced, of the very finest quality,
But the Widda' bet the company at 'handling the fut.'
The pdf version of the sheet music has the lyrics and chords included and it's in the key of C Major.
Recorded By Peggy Dell
Ireland's own Queen of Song has been in show business for more than half a century, her stage introduction taking place at the Empire (new Olympia) Theatre in Dublin in a double act with May Devitt (subsequently a well-known operatic singer). The future Peggy Dell then appearing under her real name of Margaret Tisdall, and still only nine years old, had to face the critical attention of her father, playing flute and piccolo in the theatre's orchestra. Incidentally he had given his daughter her first music lessons on the piano from the age of three hoping one day she would blossom into a concert pianist.
Peggy was first employed when thirteen and a half at the sheet music department in Woolworths of Grafton Street, demonstrating the tunes on the piano. Later she entertained diners in a cafe in the same street, before forming her own dance band of five musicians. She also built up quite a reputation as a solo singer, modelling her style on the "Last of the Red Hot Mammas", with the billing in Jack O'Sheehan revues of the "Pocket Sophie Tucker". Engagements at the Capitol Theatre singing with Charlie Harvey and the Capitollians brought her to the notice of an English cinema group, who booked her for a tour of the Paramount Astoria circuit in 1932. During this engagement Peggy Dell, as she had now become, was spotted by band-leader Roy Fox, seeking new talent. He offered her a contract to join his band and in December she packed her bags and moved to London with her mother, her father having died when she was sixteen. Peggy sang with the Fox band for two and a half years, in turn at London's Cafe Anglais, Kit-Cat Club and Cafe de Paris.
When the famous Jack Hylton was invited to visit America (due to union restrictions in the States he could not bring the band but had to build from American musicians) he recruited Peggy as one of his vocalists. The band travelled across the Mid-West, playing in Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago and other cities for nine months.
Back in England she stayed with Hylton for another three years. She recalls: "Jack was a marvellous man and a great professional. He presented fabulous stage shows. How can I ever forget those European tours... we had glittering audiences in Vienna and Budapest..."
Fortunately Dublin was included regularly in the Hylton teams, the Theatre Royal presenting what was probably the greatest dance band in Europe from May 1933. The last occasion Dublin saw the famous Jack Hylton and his band was during the week commencing March 30, 1939, when amongst the vocalists were two Dublin girls, Maureen Potter and one of the top vocalists in the world of light entertainment, Peggy Dell. This LP recalls Peggy in some of the most popular song hits of the late 'thirties, including Jimmy Kennedy's famous success, "My Prayer".
Phil the fluthers ball sheet music notes
