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		Copper John The poem 'Copper John' (as referenced in the Appletree Press title Hiring Fairs and Market Places, by May Blair. Once you have read the poem, you can return to the Irelandseye extract from 'Hiring Fairs and Market Places', which quotes this poem: COPPER JOHN I’m a civil fellow called Sandy Bond Sure I’m hired with a man called Copper John For the second Gallop I was bound For to take my stand down at Magowans As I dandered [strolled] up through Market Street It’s Copper John I chanced to meet With his brother Willie with him I seen Likewise Sam Dale of Drumadreen. Sammy Dale he says to me, ‘Will you hire wi’ these two men this day?’ Says I, ‘I will if you give good pay: I’ll engage with them till the twelfth of May.’ ‘For what sort of money?’ he says to me Says I, ‘Nine poun’ and I think it’s fair And for nothin’ less will I go there.’ Copper John bein’ standin’ near ‘You’re a fine big fella but you’re far too dear And since I’ve come into this town I tell you what we’ll do – we’ll divide a pound.’ ‘Oh,’ says I, ‘I’m sure you will, But I had far more at the foot o’ the hill.’ ‘And now,’ he says, ‘Mr. Bond, Are you for the grass wi’ the Cruiskeen Lawn?’ Then we all went up to Martha Graham’s And he says to me, ‘What is your name?’ Says I, ‘My name is Mr. Bond, And from what I hear, you’re Copper John.’ We went out and we did start Sure John came home wi’ an iron cart And he says to me goin’ up the street, ‘I suppose you’ll come to us this week.’ We have a maid and of her I’ll sing This maid’s name is Liza King And I’ll flit in till the twelfth of May, If she’ll l’ave down the bread and tay. Sure Copper John’s a civil man When he’s out in the market he likes a dram, And a jolly boy when he gets that Sure he looks a swell wi’ his wee hard hat. And to conclude and end my song I hope I have said nothing wrong, I’ll bid farewell, and I’ll be gone To spend six months wi’ Copper John. (Last line spoken) Return to the County Londonderry extract from the Appletree Press title Hiring Fairs and Market Places, by May Blair.

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