DONOVAN’S MOUNT

Donovan’s Mount was written to the air of “Lannigan’s Ball.” This is a song of praise, penned by an 19th century Irish-Argentine teacher, for the Irish family that is to employ him on the Pampa’s plains. This is one of the many songs written by A Wandering Tip in this collection.  Note the use of Irish-Porteño, in the first line, camp for countryside (from ‘campo’ the Spanish for countryside). Irish-Porteño is the dialect of English used by Irish-Argentines, it uses a-lot of Spanish vocabulary interspersed in the speech. The writer Juan José Delaney is one of the last people I know that speaks in this way. He was interviewed for the coming documentary of mine “The Trackless Wild, In Search of A Wandering Tip.”

I roved round the camp till I met with an Irishman 
Whose houses and lands give appearance of joy, 
So I upped and I asked if he wanted a pedagogue 
As I tipped him the wink that I was the boy. 
He made me sit down put my head in my hat again 
Then ordered a peón my traps to dismount 
And said as he handed around a big bumper full 
"You're welcome señor to Donovan's mount." 

Chorus: Hip, hip hurrah, Hurrah for Donovan 
For racing and spreeing I've found out the fount, 
And if it should hap that one loses himself again
Ask him the way to Donovan's mount. 

I have traveled afar but never encountered yet. 
Another to equal this green spot of camp;
The boys that are on it are full of all devilment. 
And dance till sun-rise by the light of a lamp.
And as for the girls these nymphs of the pampa wild. 
Sure he never escapes them the victim they count,
They always are gay and as bright as the morning dew. 
These magnetic needles of Donovan's mount. 

Chorus: Hip, hip, hurrah … 

Tho' La Plata boasts not of the steep mountain towering high. 
Or the vales that abound in far Erin's green isle, 
Yet sweet are the plains where the red savage wanders free. 
When lit by the light of a fond girl's smile. 
Then here's a flowing glass to our Irish porteñas all. 
May they ne'er have more sorrow than mine to recount.
For sorrow and I are like distant relationships. 
Since the first day I stepped into Donovan's mount.. 

Chorus: Hip, hip, hurrah…

A Wandering Tip

El Monitor de la Campaña N° 35, Capilla del Señor, 19th of February 1872.