"Four drunken maidens" is yet another song learned from Brian Kelly whilst with the Idle Fellows folk-group. There is a version with a slightly different tune and lyrics to be found in 100 Irish Ballads Volume 1 which in my opinion is somewhat inferior to Brian's version. Brian sang it in a light bantering manner.
A comparison between the two versions is quite revealing in that in Brian's (English!) version, the drunken maidens consume a modest 40 quarts of beer whilst the Soodlum's version (Irish!?!) the lasses scupper an astonishing 40 gallons. For those dear surfers not acquainted with imperial measures, either amount is a suicide trip with only one possible outcome.

Lyrics