Alfi - The Whistling Thief

This is our arrangement of traditional song The Whistling Thief, which was written by Samuel Lover from Grafton Street in Dublin, in the 1800s. Fiachra learned this song from the singing of Seán Mac Donnchadha on the album 'The Lark in the Morning', which was collected by Fiachra's grandmother, Diane Hamilton.
The Whistling Thief is the first single from our upcoming album 'Say Old Man', due for release in 2023.
Performed by:
Fiachra Meek (vocals, uilleann pipes)
Ryan McAuley (vocals, five string banjo)
Alannah Thornburgh (vocals, harp)
Filmed by Squid Fillets (Brian O'Neill) in Marrowbone Books
Recorded & mixed by Julie McLarnon and Elise Molle in Analogue Catalogue Studios.
Mastered by Denis Blackham - Skye Mastering
Lyrics
There’s Pat come over the hill his cailín fair to see
That whistling low but shrill his signal sure to be
Oh Mary listen dear there is somebody whistling sure
Oh Mother it is the wind you know a-whistling through the door
Chorus
It’s been a long time Mary, in this old house me dear,
But the wind to whistle like that I never yet did hear
But Mother you know the fiddle, hangs close beside the chink,
And the wind upon the fiddle is playing a tune I think
Chorus
The dog is barking now, the fiddle can play the tune,
But Mother you know they say dogs bark when they see the moon
But how can he see the moon? When he is old and blind?
But dogs don’t bark at the moon my love nor fiddles don’t play with the wind
Chorus
And now I hear a pig, uneasy in its mind,
But Mother you know they say that pigs can see the wind
That’s true enough by day, but then you may remark,
That pigs nor more than we can see anything in the dark
Chorus
I’m not such a fool as you think, I know very well it is Pat
Go home you whistling thief, do get away out of that!
And you go into bed, don’t you play upon me your jeers,
For though I’ve lost me sight I haven’t lost me ears
Chorus
Now men will court and go, and for your sweetheart’s wait,
Take care not to whistle too loud in case the old woman’s awake
For the days when I were young, oh forget it I never can,
I came to know the difference between a fiddle a dog and a man

[@mikaelamcdonnell4431]

this is brilliant, can't decide if I prefer the bark or the snort better tbh
Love it all

[@YonderVillas]

Go on the Alfi ❤️ X

[@alfimusic8354]

Thank you please share with everyone :D

[@lukemcternan1264]

UP THE ALFI!

[@kcollier4871]

Love you guys , more please

[@alfimusic8354]

more to come soon. All news and updates via our social media all links you can find here >>>>> linktr.ee/Alfi_Band

[@FeralMess]

Sounds just great! Awesome performance!

[@alfimusic8354]

Thank you :) share the love

[@ciaran_mcghee_music]

this is freaking wonderful

[@alfimusic8354]

Thank you :) please share around

[@chippylawd]

Good stuff, tuning in here in Australia 🇮🇪

[@ToxicPOPS]

Constantly sharing your music with anyone that I can! So much talent here👌

[@celnamusic]

Such a laddie and voice... excellent music arrangement....

[@kenkelley1223]

What a Beautiful sound that come from you three. I saw the
Video from GemsOnVHS an was hooked. Music to my roots Southern an Corkonians blood.
Ritheann ar gcuid Cola go domain.

[@budkush8169]

I feal like I'm back I'm the shire smoking my hobbit pipe