Henry's Songbook

Chorus:
Clonakilty Blackpudding, 'tis me daza, full of pep
To put the lead back in your pencil and the spring back in your step
Heaven knows what herbs and spices are inside the saucy skin
But it brings a smile to Erin's Isle - agus fágfaimíd mar sin

Way down in Clonakilty in the year of eighty nine
The locomotive Banaba came chugging down the line
On board sat Philip Harrington bound for culinary fame
This place looks good to make me pud, I think I'll call the same -

The man who made the motorcars from Ballinascarthy way
Young Henry Ford who tempered gold from cold black steel, they say
Said the painter in the foundry, Which colour, Henry, pray
'Tis equal, Jack, once you make it black like that tasty tack, said he

And when the hills of Carbery with ricochets did ring
And the Black and Tans and Auxies stalked the column in the glen
Up spoke our own big fellow saying, Here's rations for ye, men
There's a half o' tierce of Wrastler, you can guess what's in the tin

Salute, ye sons of rebel Cork, the warriors of yore
Who donned the blood and bandage in fame for ever more
Blithe Christy Ring, brave Thady Quill, those hurling heroes bold
What do you think sustained 'em, boys, and fortified their souls

Final chorus:
Clonakilty Blackpudding, 'tis me daza, full of pep
To put the lead back in your pencil and the spring back in your step
No one knows what Edward Twomey puts inside that saucy skin
But he brings a smile to Erin's Isle - agus fágfaimíd mar sin

[1998:] Ballad makers were traditionally commissioned to sing and compose the praises of their patron's wares. Throughout the Middle Irish period, the Filí sustained themselves by eulogising the Irish aristocracy. So, things haven't changed that much and I'm glad that my patron, Mr. Edward Twomey, has a good sense of the tradition. (Jimmy Crowley, notes 'Uncorked!')