MM – 1863

In the ballad, the hod-carrier Tim Finnegan, born “with a love for the liquor“, falls from a ladder, breaks his skull, and is thought to be dead. The mourners at his wake become rowdy, and spill whiskey over Finnegan’s corpse, causing him to come back to life and join in the celebrations. Whiskey causes both Finnegan’s fall and his resurrection—whiskey is derived from the Irish phrase uisce beatha (pronounced [ˈɪʃcə ˈbʲahə]), meaning “water of life”

Last Modified on March 17, 2025
this article MM – 1863
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viccles
1 month ago

Well that song will have you wanting to dance a gig! lol…(but I won’t so I don’t hurt myself!)

viccles
1 month ago
Reply to  Suzi

 😂  I’ll try!