Mickey Marley

Mickey Marley (died 28 April 2005) was a street entertainer from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Born in the Markets area of Belfast, but spending most of his life on the Grosvenor Road in the Falls area of West Belfast, Marley was a common sight in Belfast City Centre for over forty years.^[1]

Drawn by his horse Joey, Marley would tour the streets of Belfast with his hobby-horse roundabout. When he retired he sold the roundabout to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

His local fame was enhanced by a recording of the song "Mickey Marley's Roundabout" (written by Belfastman Seamus Robinson) which was a popular children's request on BBC Radio Ulster. BBC Northern Ireland also made a documentary on his life. The 1973 film followed Marley's everyday life, against the backdrop of the heavy British Army presence on the streets of Belfast during the early years of the Troubles.^[2]

Lyrics to Micky marleys roundabout

Micky Marley had a wee horse

He kept it at the back of the house of course

It wouldn't eat grass and it wouldn't eat hay

But it would eat sugarlumps all day

Micky got wood and wheels for a start

Then he sat down and made a wee cart

He hammered and he hammered and he foutered about

Until he had built a roundabout

Chorus

Round and round and up and down,

Through the streets of Belfast town,

All the children laugh and shout,"

"For here comes mickys roundabout"

And then he went from street to street

A penny a time and pick your seat

A hobby horse or a motorcar

Jump on son and hold the bar

The children's faces smile with glee

Laughs and smiles a sight to see

You haven't got a penny and your ma's gone out

You can still get on his roundabout

(Chorus)

But then alas to his dismay

The roundabout was burnt one day

Poor Micky lost everything he had

And all the children were so sad

But his friends they gathered round

From every part of Belfast town

They hammered and they hammered and they fouterd about and built him a brand new roundabout

(Chours)

Hobby horses don't get old

I'm winter beds they all feel the cold

But Micky knows each winter pass

The roundabout is still at last

No more we'll hear the happy sounds

Of his roundabout in Belfast town

We thank the horse and the wee small man

For the joy they spread across the land

(Chours) x2

References