The Man Who Came in from the Dark
Journey of a Troubadour: Tales of John Reilly
Lyrics
John Reilly was a traveling man from round the town of Boyle
John Reilly, a traveler from Boyle, known for singing ancient songs of royalty.
He chanted a store of ancient song of Lords and Ladies Royal
Chanting tales of Lords and Ladies Royal.
A milk-white steed in the smoky firelight
Describing a scene with a milk-white steed in smoky firelight.
Went a galloping away with a golden spark
The steed galloping away with a golden spark.
The Raggle-Taggle Gypsy sang John Reilly
The Raggle-Taggle Gypsy singing about John Reilly.
The man who came in from the dark
Referring to John Reilly as "The man who came in from the dark."
Ring a dum a dero, Ring dum a didero
Repetition of a chant, possibly emphasizing the mystique.
Ring a dum a dero, Ring a dum doh
-John Reilly was a traveling man
Continuation of John Reilly's travels and tales, including Lord Baker's journey to Turkey Land.
He mended the kettle and he mended the pan
-He chanted the tale of old Lord Baker
-Who sailed away to Turkey Land
-The Well Below The Valley O
-He chanted as clear as the morning lark
-The Raggle-Taggle Gypsy sang John Reilly
-The man who came in from the dark
-Ring a dum a dero, Ring dum a didero
Repetition of a chant.
Ring a dum a dero, Ring a dum doh
-Well the scholars and the song collectors
Scholars surprised to hear rare ballads from John Reilly.
They could scarce believe their ears
-To hear John Reilly chanting ballads
-That they thought had long since disappeared
-The golden treasure of the traveling people
-Around the campfire glows a spark
-I'm a Raggle-Taggle gypsy says John Reilly
Repetition of a chant.
The man who came in from the dark
-Ring a dum a dero, Ring dum a didero
-Ring a dum a dero, Ring a dum doh
-With the Rí Rá Ruaille, Mainistir na Búile
Reference to specific places and elements, possibly cultural or symbolic.
Dream Tincéiri, Dream Tincéirí
-Mise 'gus a Tusa 'gus a Ruball na Muice
-Rí Rá Ruaille, Mainistir na Búile
-Fíon agus Beoir for the Feen and the Beoir
-The Coonya, the Soobla, The Rí Rá Ruaille
-Mainistir na Búile
-John Reilly made a famous record
John Reilly's famous record, recorded by Christy Moore and Planxty.
A famous record called The Bonny Green Tree
-All annotated and collated
-By a lovely man called Tom Munnelly
-Young Christy Moore he came down hunting
-And a hungry hunter for a ballad was he
-Recorded the songs of ol' John Reilly
-With a Raggle-Taggle band that they call Planxty
-Ring a dum a dero, Ring dum a didero
Repetition of a chant.
Ring a dum a dero, Ring a dum doh
-Here's a health to the people of old Roscommon
Toasting the people of Roscommon and mentioning the Grehan Sisters and Sheepstealers.
No finer folk will you anywhere find
-To the Grehan Sisters and the old Sheepstealers
-For they treated him well and they treated him kind
-Here's a health to the songs of old John Reilly
-The man who came in from the dark
-To the milk-white steed in the smoky firelight
-Galloping away with a golden spark
-Ring a dum a dero, Ring dum a didero
Repetition of a chant.
Ring a dum a dero, Ring a dum doh
-Ring a dum a dero, Ring dum a didero
-Ring a dum a dero, Ring a dum doh
-With the Rí Rá Ruaille, Mainistir na Búile
Reference to places and elements, possibly related to traditions or folklore.
Dream Tincéiri, Dream Tincéirí
-Mise 'gus a Tusa 'gus a Ruball na Muice
-Rí Rá Ruaille, Mainistir na Búile
-Fíon agus Beoir for the Feen and the Beoir
-The Coonya, the Soobla, The Rí Rá Ruaille
-Mainistir na Búile, Mainistir na Búile
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