So now you know why , if you dive deep down below the cold surface of the water on a frosty day , you will find it comfortable and pleasant underneath , and be quite sorry that you can not stay there . Australian Folk Tale . The Wonderful Tune . Maurice Connor was the king , and that 's no small word , of all the pipers in Munster . He could play jig and reel without end , and Ollistrum 's March , and the Eagle 's Whistle , and the Hen 's Concert , and odd tunes of every sort and kind . But he knew one far more surprising than the rest , which had in it the power to set everything dead or alive dancing . In what way he learned it is beyond my knowledge for he was mighty cautious about telling how he came by so wonderful a tune . At the very first note of that tune the shoes began shaking upon the feet of all how heard it -- old or young , it mattered not -- just as if the shoes had the ague ; then the feet began going , going , going from under them , and at last up and away with them , dancing like mad , whisking here , there , and everywhere , like a straw in a storm -- there was no halting while the music lasted . Not a fair , nor a wedding , nor a feast in the seven parishes round , was counted worth the speaking of without ` blind Maurice and his pipes . ' His mother , poor woman , used to lead him about from one place to another just like a dog . Down through Iveragh , Maurice Connor and his mother were taking their rounds . Beyond all other places Iveragh is the place for stormy coasts and steep mountains , as proper a spot it is as any in Ireland to get yourself drowned , or your neck broken on the land , should you prefer that . But , notwithstanding , in Ballinskellig Bay there is a neat bit of ground , well fitted for diversion , and down from it , towards the water , is a clean smooth piece of strand , the dead image of a calm summer 's sea on a moonlight night , with just the curl of the small waves upon it . Here is was that Maurice 's music had brought from all parts a great gathering of the young men and the young women ; for 't was not every day the strand of Trafraska was stirred up by the voice of a bagpipe . The dance began ; and as pretty a dance it was as ever was danced . ` Brave music , ' said everybody , ` and well done , ' when Maurice stopped . ` More power to your elbow , Maurice , and a fair wind in the bellows , ' cried Paddy Dorman , a hump-backed dancing master , who was there to keep order . '' Tis a pity , ' said he , ` if we 'd let the piper run dry after such music ; ` twould be a disgrace to Iveragh , that did n't come on it since the week of the three Sundays . ' So , as well became him , for he was always a decent man , says he , ` Did you drink , piper ? ' ' I will , sir , ' said Maurice , answering the question on the safe side , for you never yet knew piper or schoolmaster who refused his drink .
` What will you drink , XXXXX ? '
't Bay Eagle Ireland Maurice Munster Tale Trafraska day first