MICK CASEY   

Mick Casey moved to Merasheen with his family in 1952, and at that time, on the advice of a Provincial Government representative, filled out an application form for a resettlement grant. However, that was the last he heard of his application or his money. Under a later resettlement program in the late 60's, he moved to Placentia, where he now resides. Mick was well known for his stories and recitations, which he told as only he could do. One of his famous recitations is “The Private Still", which we were fortunate enough to obtain.

 Mick Casey reciting The Private Still

The Private Still  

(One of Mick's many stories)

An excise man in Dublin, when l lived over there,
fancied that a private still was being worked somewhere.

He came in one morning and fancied that l knew,
But never mind that, says he, “Mick how do you do?".
“Oh, I'm very well your honor, but allow me for to say,
I don‘t know you at all, says l, but be that as it may!".

"I'm trying to find something out, assist me if you will,
Here's fifty pounds if you will tell me where there's a private still".
“Give me the fifty pounds, says l, upon my word l can,
And I'll keep me word, the devil-a-lie, as I'm an Irishman".

The fifty pounds he did lay down, I pocketed the fee,
“Now sir, button up your coat and straightway follow me".
As I was walking up the street, a-talking all the while,
He little thought I'd take him a-thunderin many a-mile.

He said, “tell me, how much further Mick, I'm getting very tired",
I said, “now let us have a car" and a jaunting car we hired.
When we got in the car he says “come tell me Mick,
Where is that blessed private still, don't take me for a flak".

"A flak your honor, no sir, but hear me if you will,
And l at once will tell you sir where there‘s a private still,
My brother is a soldier in the army he do dwell"
“Oh, the devil take your brother," says he, “where is that private still?".

"Oh, yonder is the barracks and now it's close at hand,
And when we get up to the gate we'll see and hear the band,
And when the band stops playing, we'll see the soldiers drill".
“To blazes with the soldiers" says he, “where is that private still?".

“Half a minute more says l, I'll point him out to you,
There he is, old boy, says l, standing between them two".
“Who in the blazes do you mean" says he,
Says l, “my brother Bill, they wouldn't make him a corporal so he's a private still."

When the excise man heard this, he wanted his money back,
But l jumped in the car myself and off was in a crack.
As he walked along the street, so much against his will,
The people shouted, “excise man, did you find the private still?".