189
Bryan O'Lynn
This bit of satire — originally on the Scots, later adapted to the
Irish — goes back to the sixteenth century, and is known still in
Scotland and England as well as in America. See BSM 501, and
add to the references there given Connecticut (JAFL liv 83-4).
Kentucky (OSC 117-18), and Missouri (OFS iii 231-2).
460 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE
'Bryan O'Lynn.' Reported by K. P. Lewis as set down from the sing-
ing of Dr. Kemp P. Battle of Chapel Hill in 1910.
1 Bryan O'Lynn had no breeches to wear,
So he got him a sheepskin and made him a pair
With the skinny side out and the woolly side in ;
'They are nice, light, and thin,' said Bryan O'Lynn.
2 Bryan O'Lynn had no coat to put on,
So he got him a goat skin and made him a one
And planted the horns right under his chin ;
'They'll take them for pistols,' said Bryan O'Lynn.
3 Bryan O'Lynn had no watch for to wear,
So he got him a turnip and scooped it out fair ;
He planted a ticket close under the skin :
'They'll think it's a-tickin',' said Bryan O'Lynn.
4 Bryan O'Lynn had to bring his wife home ;
He had but one horse, and he was all skin and bone.
'I'll set her before me as neat as a pin.
And her mother behind me,' said Bryan O'Lynn.
5 Bryan O'Lynn and his wife and his mother
Were all going over the bridge together.
The bridge it fell down and they all tumbled in ;
'We'll find ground at the bottom,' said Bryan O'Lynn.