Craic agus Ceol - The Cobbler

 Craic agus Ceol writes most of their own material, including this story song about a bachelor cobbler. It's good to follow along with the lyrics, as the singer has a pronounced Irish accent, which gives the song a feel of authenticity, but also makes it a little difficult to understand! 

There was a cobbler in the town of me birth 

An' when his workin' day was through, 

Would go over to the pub next door, 

An talk and have a whiskey or two. 

 

 Sometimes he drank a little more, 

Tell the publican 'I'm off to me bed' 

He staggered, left the tavern afoot. 

Met someone on the way he said: 

 

 Me name be Hannigan! Me shoe shop’s next door. 

Need good shoes pamper yer feet. 

I can tell they're right sore! 

Me shoes will be a treat fer yer feet! 

 

He worked long days, he did. 

But he always knew when to close the doors. 

He'd get dry mouth, a powerful thirst, 

Go across the street for some pours. 

 

 He always try to stop at just two. 

But by then it tasted mighty fine.

 So he stayed and had a few more, 

And out the door he would wind. 

(And he said) 

 

 Me name be Hannigan! Me shoe shop’s next door. 

Need good shoes to pamper yer feet. 

I can tell they're right sore! 

Me shoes will be a treat fer yer feet!! 

 

He be batchin' it fer many a year, 

Then a fine lady come into the shop. 

He measured her feet, talked to her lots. 

He thought of her later, and couldn't stop.

 

When he went to the pub he talked to the publican, 

Told him what happened that day. 

He didn't understand what was going on, 

He'd never in his life felt that way. 

 

Publican said, "Hannigan, you be so daft!" 

Don't ya know a true spark when it shows! 

Yer in love!" he said with a big laugh. 

"Now just see if it fades out, or grows!" 

 

So Hannigan kept makin' shoes all day, 

And to the pub he kept on a goin'. 

But he kept on thinkin' 'bout her, 

He knew his love was growin'. 

 

So when she come back in the shop, 

He had gave bright polish to her shoes, 

The way she said, "Thank you!" 

He figgered he had nothin' to lose!

 (He said) 

 

 “Ma'am, don’t wish to be a boor, 

But be an honor if you'd sup with me?"

 She blushed, looked down at the floor,

 And said "Why...yes. I’m certainly free!" 

 

 Now time keeps passin' as it does,

 Things differ while some things don’t. 

Hannigan still works in his shop, 

And forget to go to pub he won’t. 

 

 He closes the doors at an earlier time.

 In the pub has two whiskeys not more, 

He tips his hat to the smilin' publican, 

And then heads straight out the door. 

(And he says) 

 

Me name be Hannigan! Me shoe shop’s next door. 

Good shoes will sure improve yer life! 

I can tell they're right sore! 

But pardon me, I've got to get home...to me....sweet wife!