”This is a song dedicated to the ESB men of 1955”
Music and lyrics by Richie Kavanagh
“Johnny, will ye tell us how ye got your nickname?”
Chorus
When I was a young lad, I had a nickname ye see.
They used ta call me E.S.B.
What was me link with the electricity.
Why did they call me E.S.B.
I went ta me mammy, ta try an’ find out.
She said run off or I’ll give ye a clout.
Determined I set about lookin’ for clues.
I had ta find out or I’ed blow a fuse.
No matter what I found out, I couldn’t see.
Why they would call me E.S.B.
To discovered the reason was my hearts desire.
Why I was named after a high tension wire.
Chorus
When I was a young lad, I had a nickname ye see.
They used ta call me E.S.B.
Whats me link with the electricity.
Why did they call me E.S.B.
This searchin’ was gettin’ me no where a’tall.
So I took the night off at our local dance hall.
I winked at this young girl, her eyes were so bright.
When she smiled at me, I lit up like a light.
Says I whats your name, says she Bridie McNee.
But most of the people call me E.S.B.
Says I my names Johnny, but I’m just like you.
‘Cos every one calls me E.S.B too.
Says I dear Bridie, now how could this be.
Sit down here beside me, I’ll explain it says she.
Listen now Johnny, til I turn back the clock.
Then what she told me, gave me such a shock.
Digging’ holes for poles on the E.S.B.
Thats how your daddy was around here ye see.
At long last the reason was plain ta me.
Why they had nicknamed me E.S.B.
Who knows there’ll soon be an E.S.B three.
Now there’s an auld spark between Bridie an’ me.
Who knows there’ll be soon an E.S.B three.
About the Song,…..Why Did They Call Me E.S.B.
”This is a song dedicated to the ESB men of 1955”
The Rural Electrification Scheme began across the country 70 years ago.
Gangs of men would stay in one area for weeks and months at a time.
It led to new relationships and even marriages taking place.
The local clergy who acted with haste to stamp out temptation of the flesh,
ordered an ESB boss, to take a dark handsome young worker, out of the parish,
as he had become a danger to the ladies both married and single.