‘This famous song is another Chanson du Malmarié. It is known in one form or another from Manchuria to the West of Ireland. The old man left rocking the cradle while his wife is gallivanting with a younger a man, sings a lullaby to the baby “that's none of his own”. His song ends with the usual warning:

So come all you young men that’s inclined to get married,

Take my advice, leave the women alone, 

For by the Law Harry if ever you marry, 

They’ll leave you there rocking the cradle alone.

Paddy learned the song from John Doherty, one of the greatest traditional fiddlers in Ireland, who invariably follows up his singing of the song by playing it on the fiddle. Paddy lilts it.

The tune is Seoithín Seo an old Irish suantraidhe (lullaby). The mothers of Conamara have a great reverence for the tune, believing it was used by the Blessed Virgin in putting her child to sleep’ (Seán O Boyle, A Wild Bees’ Nest). 

Brigid and Maria recall from their childhoods their Granda putting them over The Old Man Rocking the Cradle.

*The notes for songs 28-42, if not covered by earlier entries, have been compiled by John Tunney.