Biddy Mulligan the Pride of the Coombe
Encyclopedia
Biddy Mulligan the Pride of the Coombe (sometimes just called Biddy Mulligan) is a song written by Seamas Kavanagh in the 1930s, and made famous by the performances of the music-hall singer and comedian Jimmy O'Dea
, who also took on the persona of the charismatic stall-holder.
, who in turn had formed a partnership with Jimmy O'Dea
. Kavanagh based this piece on the song The Queen Of The Royal Coombe, which he had found in a 19th century Theatre Royal
programme. Other similarly themed songs also performed by O'Dea were The Charladies' Ball
and Daffy the Belle of the Coombe, concerning Biddy Mulligan's daughter.
This song is closely related to The Charladies' Ball
; both use identical cadences in parts; they both feature Mrs. (Biddy) Mulligan - the persona acted by Jimmy O'Dea in his performance of both songs.
The subject, Biddy Mulligan, sells dainties such as apples, oranges, nuts, sweet-peas, bananas and sugar-sticks from her stall on the corner of the Coombe
and Patrick Street (in Dublin's South inner city - an area known as The Liberties). She has been a street-trader for 64 years, and is a 'buxom' widow.
On Fridays, she sells fish on a board - for 'dinner and tea', and is especially proud of her Dublin Bay herrings. On Saturday nights she sells second-hand clothes from the 'floor of her stall'. She's proud also, of her son Mick, who plays flute in the Longford Street Band, and she watches them march out for Dollymount Strand (north-east of Dublin City) each Sunday. On a Sunday, too, she goes to 'the Park' (probably St. Patrick's Park, next to the cathedral), wearing her 'Aberdeen Shawle', and basks in the admiration of her neighbours.
being the only other and most famous example.
Street-stalls have long since disappeared from the corner of Patrick Street and the Coombe
but a market consisting of street stalls is held on nearby Meath Street every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The song portrays a caricature or stereotype of a Dublin stall-holder, in which the working-class subject is patronised (i.e., gently made fun of and celebrated at the same time.) The meter of the song suggests the use of a strong Dublin working-class accent in its singing, and the respective performances by Jimmy O'Dea and Frank Harte bear this out.
Jimmy O'Dea's performance, at least, shows the song as part of a long music-hall tradition (coming from Victorian England), which made ethnic minorities, the poor and n'er-do-wells objects of fun.
Jimmy O'Dea
James Augustine "Jimmy" O'Dea was an Irish actor and comedian.-Life:Jimmy O'Dea was born in Lower Bridge Street, Dublin, where his mother kept a small toy-shop. He was one of 11 children. His father was an iron-monger and had a shop in Capel Street. He was educated at Blackrock College and...
, who also took on the persona of the charismatic stall-holder.
History of the Song
The song-writer Seamus Kavanagh collaborated with the scriptwriter Harry O'DonovanHarry O'Donovan
Harry O'Donovan was an Irish comedy scriptwriter, stage manager and actor.-Life:He was born in Dublin, Ireland and was apprenticed to a painter. In his spare time, he took part in amateur dramatics, finally joining a troupe of actors and touring Ireland for several years...
, who in turn had formed a partnership with Jimmy O'Dea
Jimmy O'Dea
James Augustine "Jimmy" O'Dea was an Irish actor and comedian.-Life:Jimmy O'Dea was born in Lower Bridge Street, Dublin, where his mother kept a small toy-shop. He was one of 11 children. His father was an iron-monger and had a shop in Capel Street. He was educated at Blackrock College and...
. Kavanagh based this piece on the song The Queen Of The Royal Coombe, which he had found in a 19th century Theatre Royal
Theatre Royal, Dublin
At one stage in the history of the theatre in Britain and Ireland, the designation Theatre Royal or Royal Theatre was an indication that the theatre was granted a Royal Patent without which theatrical performances were illegal...
programme. Other similarly themed songs also performed by O'Dea were The Charladies' Ball
The Charladies' Ball
"The Charladies' Ball" is an Irish folk song written by Harry O'Donovan and popularised by his collaborator, music-hall singer and comedian Jimmy O'Dea...
and Daffy the Belle of the Coombe, concerning Biddy Mulligan's daughter.
Description
The song is in 3/4 time (allegro).This song is closely related to The Charladies' Ball
The Charladies' Ball
"The Charladies' Ball" is an Irish folk song written by Harry O'Donovan and popularised by his collaborator, music-hall singer and comedian Jimmy O'Dea...
; both use identical cadences in parts; they both feature Mrs. (Biddy) Mulligan - the persona acted by Jimmy O'Dea in his performance of both songs.
The subject, Biddy Mulligan, sells dainties such as apples, oranges, nuts, sweet-peas, bananas and sugar-sticks from her stall on the corner of the Coombe
The Coombe, Dublin
The Coombe is a historic street in the south inner city of Dublin, Ireland. It was originally a hollow or valley from where the river Poddle ran to the sea.-History:...
and Patrick Street (in Dublin's South inner city - an area known as The Liberties). She has been a street-trader for 64 years, and is a 'buxom' widow.
On Fridays, she sells fish on a board - for 'dinner and tea', and is especially proud of her Dublin Bay herrings. On Saturday nights she sells second-hand clothes from the 'floor of her stall'. She's proud also, of her son Mick, who plays flute in the Longford Street Band, and she watches them march out for Dollymount Strand (north-east of Dublin City) each Sunday. On a Sunday, too, she goes to 'the Park' (probably St. Patrick's Park, next to the cathedral), wearing her 'Aberdeen Shawle', and basks in the admiration of her neighbours.
Significance
The song is a rare musical documentation of the Dublin street-seller - Molly MaloneMolly Malone
"Molly Malone" is a popular song, set in Dublin, Ireland, which has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin City....
being the only other and most famous example.
Street-stalls have long since disappeared from the corner of Patrick Street and the Coombe
The Coombe, Dublin
The Coombe is a historic street in the south inner city of Dublin, Ireland. It was originally a hollow or valley from where the river Poddle ran to the sea.-History:...
but a market consisting of street stalls is held on nearby Meath Street every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The song portrays a caricature or stereotype of a Dublin stall-holder, in which the working-class subject is patronised (i.e., gently made fun of and celebrated at the same time.) The meter of the song suggests the use of a strong Dublin working-class accent in its singing, and the respective performances by Jimmy O'Dea and Frank Harte bear this out.
Jimmy O'Dea's performance, at least, shows the song as part of a long music-hall tradition (coming from Victorian England), which made ethnic minorities, the poor and n'er-do-wells objects of fun.
Recordings
- Frank HarteFrank HarteFrank Harte was a traditional Irish singer, song collector, architect and lecturer. He was born and raised in Dublin. His father Peter Harte who had moved from a farming background in Sligo owned 'The Tap' pub in Chapelizod...
, 'And Listen To My Song', Hummingbird - The DublinersThe DublinersThe Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
, 'The Collection' - Maureen PotterMaureen PotterMaria Philomena Potter , known as Maureen Potter, was an acclaimed Irish singer, actor, comedian and performer.-Life:...
, Gaels of Laughter - Tom Donovan, 'Best Irish Pub Songs; Volume 3'
- Tom Donovan, '101 Songs & Ballads from Ireland', Emerald Isle, 1993
- The Clancy BrothersThe Clancy BrothersThe Clancy Brothers were an influential Irish folk music singing group, most popular in the 1960s, they were famed for their woolly Aran jumpers and are widely credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. The brothers were Patrick "Paddy" Clancy, Tom Clancy, Bobby Clancy...
and Tommy MakemTommy MakemThomas "Tommy" Makem was an internationally celebrated Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller. He was best known as a member of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. He played the long-necked 5-string banjo, guitar, tin whistle, and bagpipes, and sang in a distinctive baritone...
, Irish Drinking Songs, - The Jolly Beggarmen, 'Forty Irish Drinking Songs, Volume 1', Dolphin, 2002, ASIN: B000VL7M4A
- Wild Clover Band, 'Behind the Blarney', Wild Clover Band Label, 2006, ASIN: B0016JQGG6