Folk and Traditional Song Lyrics:
Leprauchan
The Leprauchan
The Leprauchan
(Robert Dwyer Joyce, (1830-83))
In a shady nook one moonlight night
A leprauchan I spied
With scarlet coat and cap of green A cruiskeen* by his side
Twas Tick Tack Tick his hammer went
Upon a weeny shoe
And I laughed to think of a purse of gold
But the fairy was laughing too
With tip toe step and beating heart
Quiet softly I drew nigh
There was mischief in his merry face
A twinkle in his eye
He hammered and sang with tiny voice
And drank his mountain dew
And I laughed to think he was caught at last
As quick as thought I seized the elf
"Your fairy purse I cried
"The purse" he said "Tis in her hand
That lady by your side
I turned to look and the elf was off
Then what was I to do?
Oh I laughed to think what a fool I'd been
And the fairy was laughing too.
Cruiskeen" = a jug
JC
oct00