The Peeler and the Goat

"The Peeler and the Goat" is an old Irish ditty that continues to be sung in taverns and pubs throughout the world.

History

Originally written by Darby Ryan of Bansha, Tipperary, over a century and a half ago, The Peeler and the Goat was inspired by a number of factors affecting 19th century Ireland. The Penal Laws had been passed with the intent of persecuting the Irish Catholic population and Sir Robert Peel had been appointed Secretary of Ireland by the British Government in 1812. Creating a police force as one of his first acts (an action thought of by the population of Ireland to simply be further interference with their liberties by Britain), his new officers were soon nicknamed Bobbies, a nickname that continues to this day, and Peelers, after their creator.

Inspiration

The song is reportedly inspired by police officers (Peelers) taking a number of goats into 'custody' for creating an obstruction on a road in Ireland.

Plot

A police officer finds a goat roaming the streets of Bansha and, presuming her to be either a loiterer or a prostitute ('Stholler', as used in the poem, has both of these definitions), announces that he will soon send her off to prison. The police officer and the goat argue over the circumstances of her arrest, and whether or not the police officer would actually be able to get a conviction for a crime not committed. At the end of the song, the goat accuses the police officer of being drunk, and asserts that if she had had enough money to purchase illegal liquor for the police officer, would have been allowed to go free.

Symbolism

The Goat: Generally thought of as representing the persecuted Catholics of Ireland. This conclusion is supported by statements such as "No penal law did I transgress", and the general behavior of the Peeler towards the goat. The fact that the goat is female does not appear to be of any particular significance.
The Peeler: A member of the overseas police force of Britain, the Peeler is used to represent the absurd laws enacted upon the Irish by the British. His absurd statements and bizarre logic, as well as the (apparently not unreasonable) suggestion that he is drunk, suggest the true target and intent of the satirical message.

References

Full Text

Irish rebel songs

Gaelic Ireland	Óró sé do bheatha abhaile Follow Me up to Carlow O'Donnell Abú Mná na hÉireann

United Irishmen	The Wind that Shakes the Barley The Rising of the Moon Kelly from Killanne Boolavogue Highland Paddy The Wearing of the Green The Croppy Boy The Boys of Wexford Come All You Warriors Tone's Grave

Famine & Young Ireland	The Fields of Athenry Skibbereen Back Home in Derry God Save Ireland A Nation Once Again Join the British Army The Peeler and the Goat The Black Velvet Band

1916 & Tan War	Amhrán na bhFiann Come Out, Ye Black and Tans The Foggy Dew Down by the Glenside (The Bold Fenian Men) The Boys of the Old Brigade The Valley of Knockanure Tri-Colored Ribbon The Broad Black Brimmer Old Fenian Gun Rifles of the IRA Who Is Ireland's Enemy? Man from the Daily Mail Grand Old Dame Britannia Erin Go Bragh Kevin Barry Johnston's Motor Car Pat of Mullingar Banna Strand Dying Rebel

Civil War & Anti-Treaty	Take It Down from the Mast The Patriot Game Sean South from Garryowen

The Troubles	The Men Behind the Wire The Ballad of Joe McDonnell The People's Own MP Little Armalite Roll of Honour

Writers	Patrick Joseph McCall Timothy Daniel Sullivan Peadar Kearney Patrick Pearse Seán O'Casey Brian O'Higgins Bryan MacMahon Paddy McGuigan Dominic Behan Pete St. John Derek Warfield

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