This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Gather up the pots and the old tin can
The mash, the corn, the barley and the bran
Run like the devil from the excise man
Keep the smoke from rising Barney
Keep your eyes well peeled today
The big, tall men are on their way
Searching for the mountain tay
In the hills of Connemara
Mountain breezes as they blow
Hear their echo in the glen below
The gombeen men are on the go
In the hills of Connemara
A gallon for the butcher, a quart for Tom
A bottle for poor old Father John
To help his prayers and hymns along
In the hills of Connemara
Stand your ground boys, it's too late
The excise men are at the gate
Glory be to God, but they're drinking it straight
In the hills of Connemara
Swing to the left and swing to the right
The excise men will dance all night
Drinking up the tay till the broad daylight
In the hills of Connemara
The mash, the corn, the barley and the bran
Run like the devil from the excise man
Keep the smoke from rising Barney
Keep your eyes well peeled today
The big, tall men are on their way
Searching for the mountain tay
In the hills of Connemara
Mountain breezes as they blow
Hear their echo in the glen below
The gombeen men are on the go
In the hills of Connemara
A gallon for the butcher, a quart for Tom
A bottle for poor old Father John
To help his prayers and hymns along
In the hills of Connemara
Stand your ground boys, it's too late
The excise men are at the gate
Glory be to God, but they're drinking it straight
In the hills of Connemara
Swing to the left and swing to the right
The excise men will dance all night
Drinking up the tay till the broad daylight
In the hills of Connemara
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Mountain Tay Lyrics as written by Sean Mccarthy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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