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.
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)
Chorus
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.
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)
Chorus
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.
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.'
About The Song.
THIS one is pure céilí chaos — the great tale of Phil the Fluther, master of the flute, strategist of the hat, and patron saint of the sly fundraiser.
Picture Ballymuck:
a half–forgotten Irish village
where the only economy is gossip and Guinness fumes.
Phil’s stony broke, so what does he do?
Apply for a loan?
Get a job?
No, no — he invites everyone to a party.
But with a mighty clever note:
“If you happen to see a hat of mine near the door…
feel free to drop a contribution.”
That’s Irish code for:
“Throw in a few coins ya tight–fisted gobshites,
we’re paying the piper here!”
Then arrives the whole cast of rural madness:
Ireland will have a dance on it.
Then the dancing starts:
little Micky goes first,
bending and twisting like a spider in a hurricane.
Then Widda’ Cafferty steps up --
and Lord above, she nearly kicks a hole in the ceiling.
She declares:
“Play ‘The Hare Was in the Corn!’”
Which is basically Irish for:
“Let’s dance ‘til someone dislocates something.”
Phil plays like a demon of the reeds --
and she hops around like she’s got fireworks in her petticoat.
Then Phil gives Crooked Paddy the sacred wink --
the universal Irish signal:
“Pass the hat before we all starve to death.”
Paddy strolls around,
looking as innocent as a priest at confession,
and announces:
“You’ve got to pay the piper when he tooters on the flute!”
Translation:
“Cough up the money, lads --
music isn’t made of fairy dust!”
And then the real dancing begins:
In short:
This song is a celebration of:
it’s Phil the Fluther’s fiscal survival jamboree,
where the flute wails, the feet fly,
and the hat pays the bills.
THIS one is pure céilí chaos — the great tale of Phil the Fluther, master of the flute, strategist of the hat, and patron saint of the sly fundraiser.
Picture Ballymuck:
a half–forgotten Irish village
where the only economy is gossip and Guinness fumes.
Phil’s stony broke, so what does he do?
Apply for a loan?
Get a job?
No, no — he invites everyone to a party.
But with a mighty clever note:
“If you happen to see a hat of mine near the door…
feel free to drop a contribution.”
That’s Irish code for:
“Throw in a few coins ya tight–fisted gobshites,
we’re paying the piper here!”
Then arrives the whole cast of rural madness:
- Denis Dougherty with his racing dog
- Crooked Paddy from the bog — bent like a paperclip
- Miss Bradys in a private ass and cart --
for when you need luxury AND cow manure - Mrs. Cafferty — bounces, apparently
- Micky Mulligan — always to the fore
- Rose, Suzanne, and Margaret O’Rafferty — the local glamour brigade
Ireland will have a dance on it.
Then the dancing starts:
little Micky goes first,
bending and twisting like a spider in a hurricane.
Then Widda’ Cafferty steps up --
and Lord above, she nearly kicks a hole in the ceiling.
She declares:
“Play ‘The Hare Was in the Corn!’”
Which is basically Irish for:
“Let’s dance ‘til someone dislocates something.”
Phil plays like a demon of the reeds --
and she hops around like she’s got fireworks in her petticoat.
Then Phil gives Crooked Paddy the sacred wink --
the universal Irish signal:
“Pass the hat before we all starve to death.”
Paddy strolls around,
looking as innocent as a priest at confession,
and announces:
“You’ve got to pay the piper when he tooters on the flute!”
Translation:
“Cough up the money, lads --
music isn’t made of fairy dust!”
And then the real dancing begins:
- buckles covered
- cuts done
- shuffles flying
- and Mrs. Cafferty absolutely steamrolling the competition
with her legendary “handling the fut.”
In short:
This song is a celebration of:
- broke musicians
- secret hat taxes
- wild céilí dancing
- and the unstoppable might of a jig–drunk widow
who can out–hop, out–kick, and out–footwork every man alive.
it’s Phil the Fluther’s fiscal survival jamboree,
where the flute wails, the feet fly,
and the hat pays the bills.
Full lyrics with chords (all verses + chorus)
2️⃣ Recommended strumming pattern
3️⃣ Intro fingerpicking tab (fits the style of a traditional Irish dance tune)
🎶 PHIL THE FLUTHER’S BALL
(Key: G Major)
Intro (Fingerpicking Tab)
Here’s a simple but lively folk-style intro that mimics the flute and fiddle interplay before the singing starts.
G C G D
e|-------3---------3-|-------0---------0-|-------3---------3-|-------2---------2-|
B|-----0---0-----0---|-----1---1-----1---|-----0---0-----0---|-----3---3-----3---|
G|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-------|---2-------2-------|
D|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
A|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
E|-3-----------------|-3-----------------|-3-----------------|-2-----------------|
G C G D G
e|-------3---------3-|-------0---------0-|-------3---------3-|-------2---3-------|
B|-----0---0-----0---|-----1---1-----1---|-----0---0-----0---|-----3-------------|
G|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-------|---2---------------|
D|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
A|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
E|-3-----------------|-3-----------------|-3-----------------|-2-------3---------|
Play once through, then go into Verse 1.
Verse 1
(G)Have you 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,
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.
Chorus
With the (G)toot of the flute, And the (C)twiddle of the (G)fiddle, O,
Hoppin' 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!
Verse 2
There was (G)Misther Denis Dogherty, who (C)kep' the runnin' (Bm)dog,
There was (G)little crooked (Bm)Paddy, from the (G)Tiraloughett (D)bog;
There was (G)boys from every Barony, and (C)girls from ev'ry (Bm)'art,
And the (G)beautiful Miss Bradys, in a (C)private (D)ass an' (G)cart.
And along with (D)them came (Em)bouncin’ Mrs. (Bm)Cafferty,
(G)Little Micky (D)Mulligan was (A)also to the (D)fore,
Rose, (G)Suzanne, and (D)Margaret O’(Em)Rafferty,
The (G)flower of Ardma(Bm)gullion, and the (D)pride of Pether(G)vore!
→ [Chorus]
Verse 3
First, (G)little Micky Mulligan got (C)up to show them (Bm)how,
And (G)then the Widda' (Bm)Cafferty steps (G)out and makes her (D)bow,
“I could (G)dance you off your legs,” sez she, “as (C)sure as you are (Bm)born,
If ye'll (G)only make the piper play, ‘The (C)Hare was in the (D)Corn!’”
So Phil (D)plays up to the (Em)best of his a(Bm)bility,
The (G)lady and the (D)gentleman be(A)gin to do their (D)share;
‘Faith then (G)Mick, it's (D)you that has a(Em)gility --
Be(G)gorra Mrs. (Bm)Cafferty, ye’re (D)leppin’ like a (G)hare!”
→ [Chorus]
Verse 4
Then (G)Phil the Fluther tipped a wink to (C)little Crooked (Bm)Pat,
“I (G)think it’s nearly (Bm)time,” sez he, “for (G)passin' round the (D)hat.”
So (G)Paddy pass'd the caubeen round, and (C)lookin' mighty (Bm)cute,
Sez, “Ye've (G)got to pay the piper when he (C)toothers (D)on the (G)flute.”
Then all (D)joined in wid the (Em)greatest jovia(Bm)lity,
(G)Coverin' the buckle and the (D)shuffle and the (A)cut;
Jigs were (G)danced of (D)very finest (Em)quality,
But the (G)Widda' bet the (Bm)company at (D)handlin' the (G)fut!
→ [Final Chorus]
🎸 Recommended Strumming Pattern
Irish jigs are usually in 6/8 time, but you can play this one in a lively 2/4 or 4/4 feel for guitar:
Pattern (4/4 feel):
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
(Slight swing, accent the 1st and 3rd beat)
For a more jig-like 6/8 feel, use:
↓ (1) ↓↑ (2) ↓ (3) ↓↑ (4) — repeating in a quick “ONE-two-three, TWO-two-three” rhythm.
You can mix them — strum the verses steady, and lift the tempo for the chorus.
🎵 Suggested Groove
Verses: Light palm muting, emphasize bass note on beat 1.
Chorus: Open, ringing strums — let the guitar “dance.”
Tag Ending: Finish on G, strum and let it ring.
2️⃣ Recommended strumming pattern
3️⃣ Intro fingerpicking tab (fits the style of a traditional Irish dance tune)
🎶 PHIL THE FLUTHER’S BALL
(Key: G Major)
Intro (Fingerpicking Tab)
Here’s a simple but lively folk-style intro that mimics the flute and fiddle interplay before the singing starts.
G C G D
e|-------3---------3-|-------0---------0-|-------3---------3-|-------2---------2-|
B|-----0---0-----0---|-----1---1-----1---|-----0---0-----0---|-----3---3-----3---|
G|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-------|---2-------2-------|
D|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
A|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
E|-3-----------------|-3-----------------|-3-----------------|-2-----------------|
G C G D G
e|-------3---------3-|-------0---------0-|-------3---------3-|-------2---3-------|
B|-----0---0-----0---|-----1---1-----1---|-----0---0-----0---|-----3-------------|
G|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-------|---0-------0-------|---2---------------|
D|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
A|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
E|-3-----------------|-3-----------------|-3-----------------|-2-------3---------|
Play once through, then go into Verse 1.
Verse 1
(G)Have you 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,
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.
Chorus
With the (G)toot of the flute, And the (C)twiddle of the (G)fiddle, O,
Hoppin' 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!
Verse 2
There was (G)Misther Denis Dogherty, who (C)kep' the runnin' (Bm)dog,
There was (G)little crooked (Bm)Paddy, from the (G)Tiraloughett (D)bog;
There was (G)boys from every Barony, and (C)girls from ev'ry (Bm)'art,
And the (G)beautiful Miss Bradys, in a (C)private (D)ass an' (G)cart.
And along with (D)them came (Em)bouncin’ Mrs. (Bm)Cafferty,
(G)Little Micky (D)Mulligan was (A)also to the (D)fore,
Rose, (G)Suzanne, and (D)Margaret O’(Em)Rafferty,
The (G)flower of Ardma(Bm)gullion, and the (D)pride of Pether(G)vore!
→ [Chorus]
Verse 3
First, (G)little Micky Mulligan got (C)up to show them (Bm)how,
And (G)then the Widda' (Bm)Cafferty steps (G)out and makes her (D)bow,
“I could (G)dance you off your legs,” sez she, “as (C)sure as you are (Bm)born,
If ye'll (G)only make the piper play, ‘The (C)Hare was in the (D)Corn!’”
So Phil (D)plays up to the (Em)best of his a(Bm)bility,
The (G)lady and the (D)gentleman be(A)gin to do their (D)share;
‘Faith then (G)Mick, it's (D)you that has a(Em)gility --
Be(G)gorra Mrs. (Bm)Cafferty, ye’re (D)leppin’ like a (G)hare!”
→ [Chorus]
Verse 4
Then (G)Phil the Fluther tipped a wink to (C)little Crooked (Bm)Pat,
“I (G)think it’s nearly (Bm)time,” sez he, “for (G)passin' round the (D)hat.”
So (G)Paddy pass'd the caubeen round, and (C)lookin' mighty (Bm)cute,
Sez, “Ye've (G)got to pay the piper when he (C)toothers (D)on the (G)flute.”
Then all (D)joined in wid the (Em)greatest jovia(Bm)lity,
(G)Coverin' the buckle and the (D)shuffle and the (A)cut;
Jigs were (G)danced of (D)very finest (Em)quality,
But the (G)Widda' bet the (Bm)company at (D)handlin' the (G)fut!
→ [Final Chorus]
🎸 Recommended Strumming Pattern
Irish jigs are usually in 6/8 time, but you can play this one in a lively 2/4 or 4/4 feel for guitar:
Pattern (4/4 feel):
↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
(Slight swing, accent the 1st and 3rd beat)
For a more jig-like 6/8 feel, use:
↓ (1) ↓↑ (2) ↓ (3) ↓↑ (4) — repeating in a quick “ONE-two-three, TWO-two-three” rhythm.
You can mix them — strum the verses steady, and lift the tempo for the chorus.
🎵 Suggested Groove
Verses: Light palm muting, emphasize bass note on beat 1.
Chorus: Open, ringing strums — let the guitar “dance.”
Tag Ending: Finish on G, strum and let it ring.
The pdf version of the sheet music has the lyrics and chords included and it's in the key of C Major.
Phil the fluthers ball sheet music notes
