McIlhatton
Christy Moore Lyrics
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For he could cure your shakes with a bottle of his stuff would cost you thirty bob
Come winter, summer, frost all over, a jiggin' Spring on the breeze
In the dead of night a man steps by, "McIlhatton, if you please"
McIlhatton you blurt we need you, cry a million shaking men
Where are your sacks of barley, will your likes be seen again?
Here's a jig to the man and a reel to the drop and a swing to the girl he loves
May your fiddle play and poitín cure your company up above
There's a wisp of smoke to the south of the Glen and the poitín is on the air
The birds in the burrows and the rabbits in the sky and there's drunkards everywhere
At Skerries Rock the fox is out and begod he's chasing the hounds
And the only thing in decent shape is buried beneath the ground
McIlhatton you blurt we need you, cry a million shaking men
Where are your sacks of barley, will your likes be seen again?
Here's a jig to the man and a reel to the drop and a swing to the girl he loves
May your fiddle play and poitín cure your company up above
At McIlhatton's house the fairies are out and dancing on the hobs
The goat's collapsed and the dog has run away and there's salmon down the bogs
He has a million gallons of wash and the peelers are on the Glen
But they'll never catch that hackler cos he's not comin' home again
McIlhatton you blurt we need you, cry a million shaking men
Where are your sacks of barley, will your likes be seen again?
Here's a jig to the man and a reel to the drop and a swing to the girl he loves
May your fiddle play and poitín cure your company up above
McIlhatton you blurt we need you, cry a million shaking men
Where are your sacks of barley, will your likes be seen again?
Here's a jig to the man and a reel to the drop and a swing to the girl he loves
May your fiddle play and poitín cure your company up above
The song "McIlhatton" by Christy Moore speaks of a legend in Glenravel's Glen who was known for making poitín, a traditional Irish distilled alcohol. The individual in question is so skilled at making the drink that some consider him to be a god, and people come from all over to seek his product. The opening lines describe his ability to cure the shakes with poitín that would ordinarily cost thirty bob. The song celebrates this man's skill through vivid descriptions of people dancing and celebrating after consuming his poitín.
The chorus repeats the line, "McIlhatton you blurt we need you, cry a million shaking men," implying that his poitín was so potent that people would literally beg for more. Despite its illegal status at the time, people would still come from far and wide to get their hands on McIlhatton's poitín. The song ends with a mention of the authorities trying to catch the man, but with no success, suggesting that McIlhatton is still making poitín, and the legend is still alive.
Overall, "McIlhatton" is a celebration of a person who was a master of his craft and who provided joy and happiness to people in a difficult time. It is a testament to the resilience of the Irish spirit and how people would fight to keep their traditions alive, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
In Glenravel's Glen there lives a man whom some would call a god
There is a man in Glenravel's Glen who is highly regarded for his ability to heal people.
For he could cure your shakes with a bottle of his stuff would cost you thirty bob
He has a special liquid medicine that can cure tremors and is sold for thirty shillings a bottle.
Come winter, summer, frost all over, a jiggin' Spring on the breeze
No matter the season, this place is always full of joy and liveliness.
In the dead of night a man steps by, "McIlhatton, if you please"
At night, people come to McIlhatton's place, asking for his services.
McIlhatton you blurt we need you, cry a million shaking men
People express their desperation for McIlhatton's help, hoping he can cure their ailments.
Where are your sacks of barley, will your likes be seen again?
People question McIlhatton's ability to produce his medicine due to a shortage of barley.
Here's a jig to the man and a reel to the drop and a swing to the girl he loves
People celebrate McIlhatton's existence and the music he brings to their lives.
May your fiddle play and poitín cure your company up above
People hope McIlhatton's music and medicine can continue to bring joy and healing even after he's gone.
There's a wisp of smoke to the south of the Glen and the poitín is on the air
There is a smell of smoke and the distinct aroma of McIlhatton's medicine in the air.
The birds in the burrows and the rabbits in the sky and there's drunkards everywhere
There is an atmosphere of revelry and chaotic energy in the air.
At Skerries Rock the fox is out and begod he's chasing the hounds
There is a disruption of the natural order happening, with a fox chasing hunting dogs.
And the only thing in decent shape is buried beneath the ground
Everything is in disarray except for the things that are buried in the ground.
At McIlhatton's house the fairies are out and dancing on the hobs
There is a sense of magic and wonder at McIlhatton's house.
The goat's collapsed and the dog has run away and there's salmon down the bogs
All sorts of chaos are happening at McIlhatton's place, such as a collapsed goat, a runaway dog, and salmon in unusual places.
He has a million gallons of wash and the peelers are on the Glen
McIlhatton has a lot of alcohol, but the authorities are looking for him.
But they'll never catch that hackler cos he's not comin' home again
McIlhatton will never be caught by the authorities because he is not planning on returning home.
Contributed by Kayla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@braydengui6809
Bobby Sands will never be forgotten.
@dionoconnell8973
Haha it aint about that bro ..but yeh ive heard of sands tbf its about buying home farm ptch at a fiver a bott .. thes d days i was 17 it was 30 yrs ago ..theres no good craic no more ..but yeh big up to sands my dad taught me all the history i know and taught me thatcher was a bitch.
@paulbyrne4805
the man had no hatred in his heart, we lost a person who would have made a great difference to humanity. The right Honourable Robert Sands M.P. R.I.P
@chipm1040
Paul Byrne TAL
@SureImSomePup
Balls
@raffpunk4927
Pity on young Robert Gerard aka Bobby Sands... would have been a modern day Ed Sheran with his lyrics. The date is 13/07/18 as i post this. Ireland is still unfree but a resurgence is coming, and all wrongs will be right again... i support no political parties just following what flows through my irish veins
@seamusmcginley7560
Paul Byrne he wrote as you know
@4exgold
Paul Byrne lovely words, tears in me eyes now RIP Bobby
@paulgbut
other H Block prisoner who developed a very close friendship with Christy Moore is Colm Scullion from Bellaghy, County Derry. Scullion supplied Bobby Sands with the local information he used in penning the song McElhatton; the famous South Antrim poitín maker. As we all know, Christy sings the song with great relish. i copied and pasted this from an phoblicth
@jimbobmarsden4762
My grandma Kathleen died a few years ago she was 99 years young but talked many times about her brother Micky, his shine and fiddle...some of the family came for a visit from Ireland and stayed with me...so nice to make connections..I play bluegrass and I'm going to try this song