☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a young woman who is courted by the boys and wants to inform her mother when she goes home.
- The boys bother her and even steal her comb, but it's okay as long as she goes home.
- The young woman is described as pretty and attractive, and the boys fight for her attention.
- The song emphasizes that no matter how extreme the weather gets, the young woman is still as sweet as apple pie.
- The lyrics of the song narrate the romantic adventures of a young woman and her quest for love and attention.
Interpretation
"I'll Tell Me Ma (with the Chieftains)" is a traditional song arranged by
Van Morrison and Paddy Moloney.
The song is about a young woman who is courted by the boys and wants to inform her mother when she goes home. The boys bother her and even steal her comb, but it's okay as long as she goes home.
In the chorus, the young woman is described as pretty and attractive, and is called the prettiest in Belfast City. The boys fight for her attention and knock on her door to see her. She has rings on her fingers and bells on her toes. Even a certain Jenny Murray threatens to die if she doesn't get the boy with the wandering eye.
The song emphasizes that no matter how extreme the weather gets, the young woman is still as nice as apple pie. She will find her own boy and when she finds him, she won't tell her mother when she comes home. Because she still loves Albert Mooney.
The lyrics of the song are simple and repeat several times, giving it a catchy and easily understandable structure. It tells of the romantic adventures of a young woman and her quest for love and attention."