Steeleye Span - The Galtee Farmer

Oh, there was an old Galtee farmer and he had an old Galtee mare.
He brought her to Enniscorthy, boys, to sell her at the fair.
Said the son all to the father, “I'll do the best I can.
The price of her is twenty guineas but look, I'll take one pound.”

Up comes a Dublin buyer, “For to bid I am inclined.
The price of her is twenty guineas but look, I'll give one pound.”
So quickly then he paid for her before time look around
And he went into a stable and he pulled her in behind.
Put a saddle and a bridle and a jockey all on her back,
You would swear she was a racer after coming off the track.

Says the son all to the father, “There's a mare for sale close by.
She looks so bright and handsome and enticing in my eye.”
She looks so bright and handsome and the jockey turned around,
Said, “The price of her is fifty guineas but look, I'll take five pounds.”

Says the son all to the father, “Now be quick and make up your mind.
The price of her is fifty guineas but look he'll take five pounds.”
So quickly then they paid for her and away from the fair they went.
And as they jogged along the road they were both well content.

When they came to the little cottage at the bottom of the lane
Who should run to meet them but the little daughter Jane.
“Mama, mama, here comes the lads, the mare they did not sell.
But they've combed her mane and docked her tail, but you'd know her old jog well.”

“Oh, what did you get that mare clipped for? She looks so thin and old.
What did you get that mare clipped for? She'll surely catch a cold.
I'll sit down at the table and I'll let my temper cool
I've been married to you these forty years and you're only a born fool.”