[Lyric] The Plains of Kildare (Andy Irvine and Paul Brady)

Come all you bold sportsmen and listen to my story
It’s about noble Stewball that gallant racing pony
Arthur Marble was the man that first brought Stewball here
For to run with Miss Griesel on the Plains of Kildare

O the fame of his actions we’ve heard of before
But now he is challenged by young Mrs. Gore
For to run with Miss Griesel that handsome grey mare
For ten thousand gold guineas on the Plains of Kildare

And the cattle they were brought out with saddle whip and bridle
And the gеntlemen did shout at the sight of thе gallant riders
And in viewing the cattle just as they came there
O they all laid their money on the Monaghan grey mare

And the order it was given and away they did fly
Stewball like an arrow the grey mare passed by
And if you had’ve been there for to see them going round
You’d’ve thought to your heart their feet ne’er touched the ground

And when at last they came to half way round the course
Stewball and his rider began to discourse
Says Stewball to the rider “Can you tell to me
How far is that grey mare this moment from me”
Says the rider to Stewball “You run in great style
You’re ahead of the grey mare almost half a mile
And if you keep your running I vow and I swear
That you never will be beaten by the Monaghan grey mare”

The last winning post, Stewball passed it quite handy
Horse and rider both called for sherry wine and brandy
And they drank up a health to the noble grey mare
For she emptied their pockets on the Plains of Kildare