American Old Time Song Lyrics: 09 A Private Still

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 9

A PRIVATE STILL.

An Exciseman, once, in Dublin, at the time that I was there.
He fancied that a private still was being worked somewhere ;
He met me out one morning, perhaps he fancied that I knew.
But I didn't, never mind that: Says he, Pat, how do you do?
Ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral de to.

Says I, I'm very well, your honor, but allow me for to say:
I don't know you at all, by jove I But says he, but, perhaps you may :
I want to find a something out, assist me, if you will,
Here's fifty pounds if can tell me where's a private still.
Ritid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral de ro.

Give me the fifty pounds, says I, upon my soul, I can,
I'll keep my word, the devil a lie, as I'm an Irishman :
The fifty pounds he then put down, I pocketed the fee,
Said I, now. button up your coat and straightway follow me
Ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral, ri tid ile fa ral de ro.

I took him walking up the street, and talking all the while.
He little thought I'd got to take him a thund'ring.' many miles;
Says he: How much further, Pat ? for I'm getting very tired.
Says I: Then let us have a car : And a jaunting car he hired.
Ri tid le fa ral, ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral de ro.

As Soon as we got in the car, said he : Now tell me. Pat,
Where is this blessed private still! don't take me for a flat.
A flat: your honor, no :ways. I. but hear me, if you will,
And I, at once, will tell you, sir, where there's a private still.
Ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral. ri tid de fa ral de ro

Go on, at once, says he. Says I: All right, now mark me well:
I have a brother that is close by here, in the barracks he does dwell.
I assure you he's a soldier, though he went against his will.
The devil take your brother! says he, where's the private still?
Ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral. ri tid de fa ral de ro.

Hold your wist: says I, old chap : and I will plainly show.
That in the army, why, of course, promotion is very slow.
Said the Exciseman : Yes, I'm sure it is; they're only meant to kill.
But never mind your brother, tell me where's the private still ?
Ri tid de fa ral, ri tid do fa ral, ri tid de fa ral de ro. '

Said I: I'm coming to it, the barrack's close at hand,
And if you'll look straight through the gates, you'll see and hear the band,
And when the band's done playing, you'll see the soldiers drill.
The blazes take the soldiers! tell me, where's the private still!'
Ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral de ro.

Half a minute more, says I, I'll point him out to you,
Faith : there he is, says I, old chap : standing 'twixt them two.
Who the blazes do you mean? said he. I said : My brother Bill, [vate still.
Well! says he. Well: says I, they won't make him a corporal, so lie's a pri
Ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral, ri tid de fa ral de ro.

The Exciseman stamped and-and said he'd have his money back,
But I jumped in the car myself, and off was in a crack ;

And the people, as he walked along, tho' much against his will, Shout after him: Exciseman, have you found the private still? Ri tid de fa ral. ri ltd do fa ral, ri tid de fa ral de ro.