The lyrics to Phil the Fluther’s Ball were written by Irish songwriter Percy French.
Phil The Fluther’s Ball
Videos
Percy French songwriter
They were based on a true story of a flute player raised money to pay off his debts by holding a ball in his cabin.
He raised money by passing round the hat as he played.
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The High Kings play the song in C Major in their colourful stage performances.
Ronnie Drew of The Dubliners played the song in D Major.
The chords are presented her in G Major. Use our key converter if you would prefer to sing the song in a different key.
Phil the Fluther’s Ball – lyrics and chords
[chordsandlyrics]
Have you [G]heard of Phil the Fluther,
From the [C]town of Bally[G]muck?
The [G]times were going [C]hard with him,
In [G]fact the man was [D]broke.
So he [G]just sent out a notice
To his [C]neighbours, one an’ [Em]all,
As to [G]how he’d like their [Em]company
That [D]evening at a [G]ball.
And when writing [D]out he was [Em]careful to [G]suggest to them
That [Em]if they found a [D]hat of his con[Em]venient to the [D]door.
The [G]more they put [D]in, when[Em]ever he re[G]quested them,
The better would the [Em]music be for [G]battering the [D]floor.
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Chorus
With the [G]toot of the flute and the [C]twiddle of the [G]fiddle-o;
Hopping in the [C]middle, like a [G]herrin’ on the [D]griddle-o.
[G]Up! down, hands aroun’, [C]crossin’ to the [G]wall
Oh!, hadn’t we the [Em]gaiety at [C]Phil the [D]fluther’s [G]ball.
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Chorus
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There was Mister Denis Dogherty, who kept the running dog.
There was little crooked Paddy, from the Tiraloughett bog.
There was boys from every Barony, and girls from every ‘art’,
And the beautiful Miss Bradys, in a private ass and cart,
And along with them came bouncing Mrs Cafferty.
Little Micky Mulligan was also to the fore
Rose, Suzanne, and Margaret O’Rafferty
The flower of Ardmagullion, and the pride of Pethravore.
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Chorus
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First, little Micky Mulligan got up to show them how
And then the Widda’ Cafferty steps out and makes her bow.
I could dance you off your legs, sez her, as sure as you are born,
If ye’ll only make the piper play ‘The hare was in the corn’.
So Phil plays up to the best of his ability,
The lady and the gentleman begin to do their share
Faith then Mick, it’s you that has agility
Begorra Mrs. Cafferty, yer leppin’ like a hare.
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Chorus
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Then Phil the Fluther tipped a wink to little Crooked Pat,
‘I think it’s nearly time,’ sez he, for passin’ round the hat’.
So Paddy passed the caubeen round, and looking mighty cute,
Sez, ‘Ye’ve got to pay the piper when he toothers on the flute’.
Then all joined in with the greatest joviality
Covering the buckle, and the shuffle, and the cut
Jigs were danced, of the very finest quality
But the Widda’ bet the company at “handling the foot”.
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Chorus
[/chordsandlyrics]
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Phil The Fluther’s Ball
Videos
Lyrics and chords
Links to other songs by Percy French
Mountains of Mourne
Abdul Abulbul Amir
Come Back Paddy Reilly
McBrean’s Heifer
Phil the Fluther’s Ball
Percy French – the songwriter
