The Reel in the Flickering Light

by Christy Moore





As I was walking home one evenin'

I know this takes some believin'

I met a group of creatures

With the strangest lookin' features



A poor old dove and a worm in the weed

And a fine old pigeon, yes indeed

A daddy longlegs jumpet sprite

As he danced to the reel in the flickering light

Oh round we go, heel to the toe

And the daddy longlegs jumpet sprite

As he danced to the reel in the flickering light



On his thin and wispy spindles

He was deft and he was nimble

His eyes were scientific

And his dancing was terrific



And the rats and worms they made a din

And the nettles in the corners took it in

"Oh God" says I, "Tonight's the night"

"We'll dance to the reel in the flickering light"

Oh round we go, heel to the toe

"Oh God" says I "tonight's the night

We'll dance to the reel in the flickering light"



Then he looked at me directly

With a gaze that could dissect me

Then he asked me in a whisper

"Have you got any sisters?"



"Oh God almighty" says I to him

"What sort of a man d'you think I am?

I've only one she's not your type

She wouldn't dance the reel in the flickering light"

So round we go, heel to the toe

"I've only one she's not your type

She wouldn't dance a reel in the flickering light"



Says he:

"Does she come from another planet?

Does she got a bee in her bonnet?

Does she do her daily duties

You never know we might be suited"



And the rats and the worms began in to laugh

And some of them started shufflin' off

We're goin' to have some fun tonight

Getting ready for the reel in the flickering light

Oh round we go, heel to the toe

We're goin' to have some fun tonight

Getting ready for the reel in the flickering light



I could see he had no scruples

When I looked into his pupils

They were purple or magenta

Like a statue during lent



I said "I'll get her right away"

"Good man" says he "now don't delay"

We're going to have some fun tonight

And he flicked his legs in the flickering light.

Oh round we go, heel to the toe

We're goin' to have some fun tonight

And he flicked his legs in the flickering light.



Then up stepped a red carnation

and they gave her an ovation

She was warm and enchatin'

As she slowly started dancin'



And the wise old pigeon peeled his eye.

And the nettles and the weeds began to sigh.

Daddy longlegs said "my-oh-my

Are we ready for the reel in the flickering light?"

Oh round we go, heel to the toe

Daddy longlegs said "my-oh-my

Are we ready for the reel in the flickering light?"



She was gentle, she was charmin'

And I heard him call her "darlin'

He was graceful as a whisper

On his delicate legs of silver



And the rats and worms were still as mice

And the poor old pigeon said "That's nice"

As shimmering there, ah, the lovely bride

As they danced to the reel in the flickering light

Oh round we go, heel to the toe

As shimmering there, ah, the lovely bride

As they danced to the reel in the flickering light



Oh round we go, heel to the toe

As shimmering there, ah, the lovely bride

As they danced to the reel in the flickering light