V-Day in Belfast

Yes, yes.... It's happened again. No, don't fret. It happens every year, and most of us have gotten used to it by now. That's right, friends and neighbors: it's Valentine's Day. For some, it's a day of happiness and joy, a time to contemplate and cherish the person that they love, and other mushy, ain't-that-sweet activities. For the majority, however, (and perhaps I'm just a cynic) Valentine's Day is just another cheap, tacky holiday - possibly invented for the sole purpose of selling V-day cards, flowers, chocolate, and those bloody stuffed bears. People peg Christmas as a "hollow" holiday, painting it with the dreaded brush of materialism and excess; it's a pity they couldn't have picked a more deserving (not to mention easier) target.

But don't worry: if you're reading this blog, I won't suck all the fun out of your Valentine's Day. Go out, have fun, eat chocolate! Whatever. In fact, in honor of V-Day, I've got a little song for you - a marvellous little ditty that you may have heard before. It's a song called "Courtin' in the Kitchen," and it's sort of like the Irish traditional version of "Love Stinks" from The Wedding Singer. There are a great many versions of this song, one of the more recent of which was recorded by The Dropkick Murphys (of "Shipping Up to Boston" fame). NOTE: their version is (erroneously?) entitled "Captain Kelly's Kitchen." However, for the better, more traditional, sound, I'd recommend the version recorded by The Clancy Brothers. In fact, here: have some youTube links...

The Clancy Brothers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qpUboB7AKU
The Dropkick Murphys: http://youtube.com/watch?v=agro9miL3bA&feature=related (for the song itself); http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaRfjbhRW3Y (for the Irish dancing girls; sorry, the sound is terrible)
Ronnie Drew: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4LmPFAFCu4 (of the Dubliners; another good Irish trad. version)

And, without further ado, the lyrics:

Courtin' in the Kitchen (Irish Traditional)
Come single belle and beau, unto me pay attention
Don't ever fall in love, for it's the devil's own invention
For once I fell in love with a maiden so bewitching
Miss Henrietta Bell out in Captain Kelly's kitchen

With me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
And me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie

At the age of seventeen I was 'prenticed to a grocer
Not far from Stephen's Green where Miss Henri' used to go sir
Her manners were sublime and she set me heart a-twitchin'
When she invited me to a hooley in the kitchen

With me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
And me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie

Oh, next Sunday bein' the day that we were to have the flare-up
I dressed meself quite gay and I frizzed and oiled me hair up
The Captain had no wife and he had gone a-fishin'
And we kicked up high life down below stairs in the kitchen

With me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
And me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie

With her arm around me waist, she slyly hinted marriage
To the door in dreadful haste came Captain Kelly's carriage
Her eyes were full of hate and poison she was spittin'
When the Captain at the door, walked right into the kitchen

With me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
And me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie

When the Captain came downstairs, though he saw me situation
In despite of all me prayers I was marched off to the station
For me they'd take no bail, but to get home I was itchin'
But I had to tell the tale, how I came into the kitchen

With me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
And me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie

Now, I said she did invite me, but she gave a flat denial
For assault she did indict me, and I was sent for trial
She swore I robbed the house and in spite of all her schreechin'
And I got six months hard for me courtin' in the kitchen

With me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie
And me toora loora la and me toora loora laddie


Happy Valentine's Day, mates!