The Valentia Ball

This song was composed in 1911, by Peter O’Sullivan who described himself as an “Irish-American Advocate”. It is interesting to note in the second verse, that it lists the names of some of the various dances common in the area at the time. The ‘Versavianna’ is more commonly known today as ‘Shoe the donkey’. The music played for Right and left set was transcribed in 1928 from Eugene O’Sullivan of Dromid by the musician and collector, Pilib Ó Laoghaire

Ho, list to a tale which to you I unfold,

Of a scene all asheen with the green and the gold,

Where the boys and the girls shrove like will pair,

With dancing and singing and fun in the air,

Where the cream of the beauty that Kerry can boast,

From Kenmare’s placid bay to the wild Dingle coast,

And the broth o’ the boys in this “land of the free,”

Who hail from Bray Head to the town of Tralee,

Will be gathered together the great and the small,

Up in Muller’s Casina, at the Valentia ball.

On the last day but one of this March, as I hear,

The crowd will assemble to have this good cheer,

And of all the good times that we had since this fall,

Will be had for a quarter that night in the hall,

There are sets right and left agus polkas galore,

Reels and jigs and step-time by the dozen and score,

Quadrilles with all frills and the “Versavianna,”

Two-step, Stock o’ barley, and the good old bandanna,

Waltzes, schottisches and the banned turkey trot,

With the grizzly and bunny and the devil knows what.

Recitations, some comic, you’ll have there, you bet,

And the songs of old Erin we ne’er can forget,

And dance exhibitions, the like you ne’er saw,

Since you bade your good-bye to the Gaels of Foreagh.

Ovations, Potations, flirtations and fun,

Are up to yourself, do’ your part when you come.

Now, lads of South Kerry, if you’ve got a date,

For that night go and change it ere ye be to late,

Or persuade your wee colleen to well change her mind,

And follow her heart and fling dates to the wind,

Dear colleens, I just got a wee word with you,

If your fellows won’t come, well we’ll settle that, too,

As I’ll guarantee you a spruce, wee, young chappie,

And, you bet your sweet life life, you’ll be ever so happy,

Poor souls like meself who have no one at all,

Be sure to be there at the Valentia ball.

For the purtiest, the prettiest, the sweetest, the rarest,

(Oh, what will I say), well, the best and the fairest,

Will be there on the 30th dressed up in their best,

If they don’t, I’m a l___ (well, yourself say the rest),

And lest you forget it I’ll tell you again,

Hundred and fifty-fourth street, Third avenue is the site of the same,

With good luck and God-speed to each girl and boy.