“The Waxies' Dargle”
Description
"Says my aul' one to your aul' one, Will ye come to the Waxies' Dargle?" The hearer hasn't a farthing to take a trip. Neither can they go to the Galway races. They agree, "When food is scarce, And you see the hearse, You'll know you died of hunger."
Notes
Waxies were candlemakers; the Waxies' Dargle was an annual meeting of candlemakers held in Bray in County Wicklow. The versions I've seen don't make it clear why times are so hard in this song; it doesn't sound like a famine song. I suspect its survival has much to do with being fitted to the much-loved tune "Brighton Camp." - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "The Girl I Left Behind Me" (II - lyric) (tune)
- cf. "Brighton Camp" (tune)
References
- DT, WAXDARGL*
- BI, DTWaxDar