“Casadh an tSugain (The Twisting of the Rope)”
Description
Gaelic. Singer is drunk. He complains that he had come to this place "full of love and hope But the hag she forced me out with the twisting of the rope." "How many fine girls waste for taste of man in bed ... But the hag she drove me out ..."
Notes
Translation is by Paddy Tunney, who includes the tale upon which the song is based. The story, which helps explain the song, may be summarized as follows: Singer asks for shelter on a rainy night but there are only two women in the house and he forces his way in. He claims he means no harm. The older woman asks him if he is able to twist a grass rope they need made. His pride hurt that his ability might be doubted, he agrees to twist the rope. As the rope grows too long to fit in the house, he must take it through the door and out into the street. The older woman slams the door in his face. - BS
References
- Tunney-StoneFiddle, pp. 149-151, "Twisting of the Rope, The" (1 text)
- BI, TSF149