Mountain Tay
Spirited Revelry in Connemara: Unveiling the Meaning Behind 'Mountain Tay'
Lyrics
Gather up the pots and the old tin can
Gather up various items like pots, a tin can, ingredients for brewing.
The mash, the corn, the barley and the bran
Specific ingredients for making homemade alcohol, including mash, corn, barley, and bran.
Run like the devil from the excise man
Urgently flee from the excise man, a tax collector or law enforcement officer.
Keep the smoke from rising Barney
Prevent the smoke, possibly from a fire used in the brewing process, from being visible to avoid detection.
Keep your eyes well peeled today
Stay alert and watch carefully.
The big, tall men are on their way
Strong and imposing individuals are approaching.
Searching for the mountain tay
Seeking or searching for the illicitly brewed mountain tea (illegal alcohol).
In the hills of Connemara
In the mountainous regions of Connemara, located in western Ireland.
Mountain breezes as they blow
Feeling the winds from the mountains.
Hear their echo in the glen below
Hearing the sound reverberating through the valley.
The gombeen men are on the go
Shady businessmen are active or operating.
In the hills of Connemara
Within the same Connemara hills as mentioned earlier.
A gallon for the butcher, a quart for Tom
Allocation of alcohol - a gallon for the butcher, a quart for Tom, a bottle for Father John.
A bottle for poor old Father John
Giving alcohol to Father John, perhaps to assist in his religious duties.
To help his prayers and hymns along
To aid the prayers and songs of Father John using alcohol.
In the hills of Connemara
Once again, in the hills of Connemara.
Stand your ground boys, it's too late
It's too late to escape or avoid the excise men, who are now at the entrance.
The excise men are at the gate
A phrase expressing surprise or dismay at the situation.
Glory be to God, but they're drinking it straight
Expressing disbelief that the excise men are consuming the alcohol without dilution.
In the hills of Connemara
Once again, in the hills of Connemara.
Swing to the left and swing to the right
Move quickly from side to side, possibly to avoid detection or in a dance-like manner.
The excise men will dance all night
The excise men will party or revel all night long.
Drinking up the tay till the broad daylight
Drinking the illicitly brewed alcohol until dawn.
In the hills of Connemara
Once again, in the hills of Connemara.
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