©Colm Gallagher

As I was walking home one evening, I know this takes some believing
I met a group of creatures with the strangest looking features
A poor auld dog and a worm and a weed
A a fine auld pigeon, yes indeed
Daddy Longlegs jumped up spritely
And danced a reel in the flickering light

Chorus:
Oh, round we go, heel to the toe
(Daddy Longlegs jumped up spritely
And danced a reel in the flickering light)

On his thin and whispy spindlers, he was deft and he was nimble
His eyes were scientific, and his dancing was terrific
And the rats and the worms, they make a din
The nettles in the corner took it in
"O God", says I, "tonight's the night,
We're gonna dance a reel in the flickering light

(Repeat Chorus using last two lines of verse)


Then he looked at me directly with a gaze that could dissect me
And he asked me in a whisper "Have you got any sisters?"
"Good God a' mighty" says I to him,
"What sort of a man do you think I am?
I've only one, and she's not your type.
She wouldn't dance a reel in the flickering light"

(Repeat Chorus using last two lines of verse)


Says he "Does she come from another planet? Does she have 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 to laugh
Some of them started shuffling off
We're going to have some fun tonight
Getting ready for the reel in the flickering light.

(Repeat Chorus using last two lines of verse)


Well I could see he had no scruples as I gazed into his pupils
They were purple or magenta like a statue during Lent
So I said "I'll get her right away"
"Good man!" says he, "Now don't delay!
We're going to have some fun tonight!"
Then he clicked his heels in the flickering light

(Repeat Chorus using last two lines of verse)


Then up stepped a red carnation and they gave her an ovation
She was warm and enchanting as she slowly started dancing
And the fine auld pigeon winked his eye
The nettles in the corner gave a sigh
Daddy Longlegs said "My oh my!
Are you ready for the reel in the flickering light?"

(Repeat Chorus using last two lines of verse)


Now he was gentle and he was charming, and I heard him call her "Darlin'!"
He was graceful as a whisper on his delicate legs of silver
And the rats and the worms were still as mice
The poor auld pigeon said "That's nice!"
A shimmering veil on a lovely bride
And they danced a reel in the flickering light

(Repeat Chorus using last two lines of verse)