In The Prisons of Nantes - traditional compiled & edited Poem by Oilibheir Álain Christie

1)

In the prisons of Nantes

lie-dam-diddly-dum-diddly-dee-
lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae

In the prisons of Nantes

There was a prisoner - there was a prisoner.

(2)

No one could see 'im

lie-dam-diddly-dum-lam-dee-
lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae

No one could see 'im
Save the gaoler's daughter - save the gaoler's daughter

(3)
Who brought him his drink

lie-dam-diddly-dum-lam-dee-lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae

Who brought him his drink
His food and drink everyday

(4)
And some white shirts
lie-dam-didd-lam-dee-lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
And some white shirts

When he needed a change - when he needed a change.


(5)
One day he asks her

lie-dam-didd-lam-dee-lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae
One day he asks her:
what do they say about me ? - what do they say about me ? 



(6)

The rumour spreads in town

lie-dam-didd-lam-dee — lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae

The rumour spreads in town
That tomorrow you'll hang - that tomorrow you'll hang.



(7)

Since I have to hang

lie-dam-didd-lam-dee — lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae

Since I have to hang
Untie at least my feet - untie at least my feet.



(8)

The lassie was youngish

lie-dam-diddly-dum-diddly-dee — lie-diddly-ddly-ddlae

The lassie was youngish
His feet she loosed — his feet she loosed.


(9)(pace up from start)

The alert prisoner
lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…

The alert prisoner
Into the Loire threw himself — into the Loire threw himself.

(10 musical accompaniment stops; maybe percussion remains [rhythm bones or woodblocks]: add backing vocals)

On the first dive
lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…


On the first dive
He nearly drowned —  he nearly drowned.



(11: same as 10
)

On the second dive

lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…


On the second dive
Across the Loire he swam — across the Loire he swam.



(12: musical accompaniment resumes; no backing vocals)


Soon as he set foot on the bank
He started singing: 



(13)

I sing for the lasses

lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…

Specially the gaoler's daughter

.

(14: descant)


If I return to Nantes

lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…

I sure will marry her.



(15: possibly backing vocals)


In the prisons of Nantes

lie-dam-diddlydum-lam-dee-lie…

There was a prisoner.



(16: Instrumental reprise)