The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold is a 1981 American stop motion Christmas television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. The initial script was meant to be Saint Patrick's Day special. The special first aired on ABC on December 23, 1981.
Initial release: December 23, 1981
Directors: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass
Initial release: December 23, 1981
Directors: Arthur Rankin, Jr., Jules Bass
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00the name is killicalarney blarney killicalarney leprechaun by birth goalkeeper by vocation
00:19spinner of tales by choice like the one about how we leprechauns brought the christmas gold
00:25back to ireland well it was all because of a young lad dinty doyle by name him being cabin boy in the
00:33good ship bell of aaron on his way back home to dublin doyle i always have a christmas tree aboard
00:40for the holidays this trip i forgot but look an uncharted island and see a pine tree row over there
00:49and dig it up for me
01:00a fine job for a cabin boy what's that a tiny pair of coattails
01:09the little people leprechauns did you see him that's a full-grown human being ain't it mum
01:21aye first one hereabouts in over two centuries but papa he's digging up the banshee tree
01:28you shouldn't do that should he papa should he dad should he mum
01:33too late she's getting loose back to town run till you burst
01:43free free at last
01:54can't see a thing not the island nor me ship i'm done for
02:11a rainbow but but rainbow's coming summer and today is christmas eve
02:25the leprechauns put a gold at the end of the rainbow glory be a golden christmas dream come true
02:45everyone knows that rainbows end in gold
02:53guarded by leprechauns so we've been told
02:59and if you walk a hundred miles to where the colors all descend don't give up my friend
03:07don't give up my friend there's been a million dreams about the rainbow's end
03:19everyone knows that rainbows end in gold
03:25guarded by leprechauns so we've been told
03:31and when you hear someone has found the pot
03:35around the secret bend
03:37take your choice my friend
03:39if it's our pretend
03:41if it's our pretend
03:43how come a million dreams about the rainbow's end
03:49there's been a million dreams about the rainbow's end
03:53there's been a million dreams about the rainbow's end
04:07the rainbow's end
04:09ah the leprechauns gold
04:13black thief
04:15beware the killicalarney blade
04:17for didn't it slay the terrible shamrock eating dragon of belfast
04:21no no no no wait a minute
04:23look out no
04:25oh lad i hope i didn't hurt you
04:27i mean ye no harm
04:29tell me lad
04:31are you a thief by trade or inclination
04:33neither one
04:35something just came over me when i saw the glitter
04:39aye
04:41the gold fever
04:43i'm blarney killicalarney
04:47principal patriarch of the clan killicalarney
04:49designer of their destinies
04:51father of their fantasies
04:53planter of their potatoes
04:55and guardian of their gold
04:57what are those killicalarnys i saw on the shore
04:59and how should i know
05:01i haven't spoke to them for a hundred years
05:03your own family
05:05why
05:07well you see we came to a part in other ways
05:09are you really interested lad
05:11i am that
05:13then let me tell you the whole story
05:15for i haven't talked to anyone in so long
05:17oops i almost forgot
05:19i need gold
05:21blarney killicalarney
05:23i need gold
05:25blarney killicalarney
05:27gold before christmas
05:33this potion will be very persuasive
05:37blarney
05:39the tea is almost done lad
05:43will you have a cup
05:45here you are
05:49let it cool before you drink
05:51blast
05:53well i can wait for your tea to cool
05:55just take one sip
05:57and play the fool
05:59well you see
06:03there'd be two strains of leprechauns
06:05there'd be the killicalarnys
06:07were the gold miners
06:09and then there'd be the o'clock jiggers
06:11the shoemakers
06:13faye me wife was the fairest of the o'clock jiggers
06:15it was a good union
06:19and for centuries we lived in peace and harmony
06:21digging gold making shoes
06:23eating sleeping begotten
06:25and before we knew it
06:27faye and me were the oldest leprechauns in all ireland
06:31ah they were good times
06:33every night i'd be off to the gold mines
06:37oh the golden gold of ireland's only seen by leprechauns
06:41for we mine it in the middle of the night
06:45and we chop it into nuggets
06:47and we pile it into pots
06:49which we bury for the early morning light
06:53all the golden gold of ireland
06:59nobody's ever seen
07:01nobody's ever seen
07:05nobody's ever seen
07:07oh the golden gold of ireland
07:09nobody's ever seen
07:11cause it's covered by the emerald island green
07:15oh the golden gold of ireland's only seen by leprechauns
07:19For we mine it in the middle of the night
07:23And we plant a sea of shamrocks
07:26To disguise the hiding spots
07:28That's the way we keep them out of bloom and sight
07:32Oh, the golden gold of Ireland
07:36Nobody's ever seen
07:38Nobody's ever seen
07:40Nobody's ever seen
07:42Oh, the golden gold of Ireland
07:44Nobody's ever seen
07:46Cause it's covered by the emerald island green
07:50Cause it's covered by the emerald island green
07:55Unfortunately, leprechaun gold attracts rainbows
08:05Which are dead giveaways to where it's hidden
08:07Such a rainbow brought us old Mag the Hag
08:12A screamin' catawallin' banshee
08:15Now this type of banshee is an evil fairy
08:18Whose moan and cries bring nothin' but bad luck
08:20But if they don't get gold by Christmas every year
08:24They slowly turn into salty teardrops
08:28And wash away forever
08:30Oh, they can create cataclysms
08:37And make the moon dance with the stars
08:40And turn milk sour
08:41But with all their powers
08:44They still need gold
08:45And, and, and here's the catch
08:47They're not allowed to steal it
08:50Ha, ha, the gold's gonna be given them freely
08:53Or it doesn't count at all
08:55Still too hot
08:57Will you drink that tea?
09:00Well, old Mag the Hag was desperate that year
09:05For wasn't it just four days before Christmas
09:08And her without a nugget
09:09Tricky
09:11Oh, very, very tricky
09:17Banshees can change to anything they want
09:21But if you're wise
09:22You can always tell them
09:25For they can't hide their banshee tears
09:29Their cheeks are always moist with them
09:32Well, not being able to get anywhere with us gold miners
09:37She moved to the shoemaking branch of the family
09:40Killicallarney shoes
09:44Make you dance
09:45Killicallarney shoes
09:48Keep the beat
09:49Killicallarney shoes
09:52Put a rhythm in your blues
09:54Try a pair of Killicallarneys on your feet
09:57Killicallarneys
10:00Killicallarneys
10:02Made by leprechauns
10:04One size fits all
10:05Killicallarneys
10:08Killicallarneys
10:10Ask your local leprechaun to call
10:13But my wife Faye wasn't wise to the wicked ways of the banshee
10:20Killicallarney shoes
10:25Put a rhythm in your blues
10:27Try a pair of Killicallarneys on your feet
10:30Who are you now?
10:34Your guardian angel, perhaps
10:36Listen, listen to my words
10:40Gold is the source of all the world's troubles
10:44And can bring no one good
10:46All those who mine it
10:48Will soon be caught in its evil spell
10:51Do you truly love your husband?
10:55Aye, that I do
10:57Then make him give his gold away
10:59Do this
11:01And I promise you all will live happily ever after
11:05You actually expect me to give away the Killicallarney gold?
11:10Sure, and I'm only making sense
11:12And I'm telling you
11:13It was the banshee what visited you
11:15And I'm telling you
11:16It was a good fairy
11:17A guardian angel
11:19You're daft, that's what
11:21I'm what?
11:22You're daft!
11:23I'm warning you, man
11:24Well, if that's the way you feel about it
11:28I'll not come home from the mine in the morning
11:31Well, don't then
11:33And when your shoes get holy
11:35Don't come to me to save your souls
11:37Goodbye, wife
11:39Goodbye, husband
11:41Now, when I got to the mine
11:45I found not one of the gold miners had showed up for work
11:49Not one
11:50Old Mag the Haggard got to them all
11:53And they'd all turn into
11:56Showmakers
11:58Give up, city, old fool
12:02Gold, sir
12:03All your gold for Christmas
12:06Now
12:06Turn to tears and wash away
12:09You'll not get it
12:10Then check the consequences
12:13Oh, oh no
12:20You see
12:36The quake was so fierce
12:39That the wee jut of land we lived on
12:41Broke itself off from Ireland
12:42And floated out to sea
12:44Becoming the phantom island of Tralee
12:47Upon which ye now rest your feet
12:49More of the pity
12:49Well, knowing Mag would soon drown us all
12:53I went to him
12:55What was the only one that could help us
12:56The Lord of the Leprechauns
13:00Why do you summon me, Lord Patrick?
13:05Well, no, I was just wondering, Mag
13:07How is it you can turn to tears?
13:11Banshees are created from tears
13:13Tears we were
13:15Tears we are
13:17And tears we shall be at the end
13:20Ah, no
13:21But you don't really turn to tears, now do you?
13:25Ah, his age made you forget the old ways of enchantment
13:29We do it all the time
13:32But without Christmas gold
13:34We have to stay tears forever
13:37Ah, yes
13:38Gold! Gold!
13:41Give me gold
13:42Oh, I will, I will
13:44Oh, no
13:45Gimme, gimme, gimme
13:47Ah, hold
13:48Show me how you turn to tears first
13:50Just for a second
13:51And I'll see Blarney
13:53Gives you his gold
13:55Oh, if I must
13:57Blarney, quick
14:09The pinecone
14:10And let this pinecone
14:17Fallen from a tree planted by St. Patrick himself
14:20Hold your wickedness down
14:23You fooled me
14:24I'm trapped
14:26Set me free
14:27Now, grow
14:29Grow to a beautiful tree
14:33Keep this tree sturdy, mind ya
14:40Or Mag will be back with all her powers
14:43Seeking Christmas gold once more
14:46And me troubles haven't blowed west yet
14:51For Mag's spell on my wife still holds
14:55I'm still alone
14:57Wait a minute
14:59When I dug up that pine tree before
15:04It must have been that self-same banshee
15:08I set free
15:10Well, that
15:11You did what?
15:12When I dug up that pine tree before
15:15You don't have to chew your cabbage twice
15:17Once is enough to shiver me timbers
15:19And shake me store teeth loose
15:21Oh, to sick I am
15:25Begara
15:38I said Begara
15:40I never say Begara
15:41There's something in that teeth
15:43She's bewitched
15:45Yes
15:48With the potion of generosity
15:51Blaschimad
15:53Soon it will make you give everything away
15:56Gold, please
15:59Yes
16:01No
16:02Yes
16:03No
16:04But
16:05No
16:06Well, however
16:07I've come to think of it
16:08I
16:09I
16:11Give
16:12All
16:13My
16:15Gold
16:16To you, Ditty Doyle
16:18What?
16:19Ow!
16:20Now!
16:21Now!
16:21You can't!
16:23Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
16:24That topped you
16:25Never try to out blarney a blarney
16:28The gold's yours, lad
16:30Never let her have it
16:32Promise me now
16:33On your dear mother's name
16:34I promise
16:35Tickie
16:36Ditty Doyle
16:37Give me that gold before Christmas
16:40Or you're doomed
16:42But you can't
16:45You can't do that
16:46Remember your promise
16:47All right
16:49Just let me find me ship
16:51And get away from this place
16:52For good
16:53My boat
16:57It's gone
16:59Storm must have blown it out to sea
17:04Now what?
17:08Sobs?
17:10Why are you crying?
17:11Help, help
17:17There, there now, lass
17:19Where did ye come from?
17:21The sea
17:22I was shipwrecked
17:24You too
17:25My name's Dinty
17:27What's yours?
17:29Colleen
17:29And why'd he sob so?
17:32For the others that went down in the briny
17:34Can you cheer me, Dinty?
17:37I'll do me best
17:38Shall I tell ye about the creatures
17:42Abounding on this fairy isle
17:44The leprechauns
17:46So here I am with all the gold
17:51And I don't know what to do with it
17:54Well, I'd know what to do with it
17:57Give it to me
17:59And I'll have the leprechauns build a ship
18:01And take it back to Ireland
18:03Would ye know?
18:04Ah, and couldn't the poor folks in Killarney
18:07Have a time with it
18:08You're right
18:10A wonderful idea
18:12And the leprechauns would be there to distribute it
18:16Sure, and I can see it all now
18:19Christmas in Killarney
18:24Is wonderful to see
18:28Listen to my story
18:32And I'll take you back with me
18:37The holly green, the ivy green
18:43The prettiest picture you've ever seen
18:46Is Christmas in Killarney
18:48With all of the folks at home
18:50It's nice, you know
18:51To kiss your bow
18:53While cuddling under the mistletoe
18:55And Santa Claus, you know
18:57Of course, is one of the boys from home
18:59The door is always open
19:01The neighbours pay a call
19:04And Father John, before he's gone
19:06Would bless the house and all
19:08What grand it feels to click your heels
19:13And join in the fun of the jigs and reels
19:15I'm handing you no blotty
19:17The likes you've never known
19:19There's Christmas in Killarney
19:22With all of the folks at home
19:24Oh, Christmas in Killarney
19:26With all of the folks at home
19:30What a magnificent idea, girl
19:37And that's what you do with it
19:40To the last nugget
19:41Then the gold is yours
19:44Really?
19:48Well, I know you're a joyful girl
19:51But such laughter
19:54And you're crying, too
19:57Tears of joy, are they?
20:01Those tears
20:02You!
20:06And the gold is finally mine
20:09I'll take it back
20:11I won't let ye
20:12Stop!
20:15You did all you can for me, didn't you do
20:18You deserve a rest
20:20So sleep the sleep of a hundred Christmas eggs
20:24No!
20:25No!
20:25No!
20:31Oh, lad
20:32I warned you to watch for the Banshee Tears
20:36Disguised herself as a young girl, you say?
20:44Aye
20:44The same as she disguised herself
20:47Ah, what's the use?
20:49I'll finish your speech
20:50The same as she disguised herself as me angel
20:54I see it all now
20:56More's the pity
20:58Faye
20:59Do you mean to tell me?
21:01I'm sorry, husband
21:02For being so headstrong and foolish
21:06Oh, and so am I, wife
21:08For putting gold ahead of the love I've always felt
21:12Love
21:13Could you love me once again
21:16For Christmas?
21:18Aye
21:18And for all the dark days that went before
21:22And the golden ones that follow
21:25Oh, look!
21:34It's so beautiful
21:35Can I believe me eyes?
21:37What is it?
21:39Why, it is a rainbow
21:41Of course
21:42Don't tell me I have to explain rainbows to leprechauns
21:50Bless my soul, Dinty
21:52If you weren't dead, I'd say you were looking wonderful
21:55Not dead, me friends
21:57But in a sleep of darkness
21:59And then awakened by a light
22:02A light born of a love
22:04That never really died
22:06The gold is mine at last
22:19No, no!
22:25Christmas morning!
22:27Too late!
22:28Too late!
22:36Glory be
22:41Tis a miracle
22:42A Christmas miracle
22:44Well
22:46If you're gonna have one
22:48Christmas is as good a time as any
22:51And will ye look what's being guided to us
22:56By the other end of the rainbow
22:58It's my ship
23:00Tis the bell of Erin
23:02Waiting to take a cargo of gold
23:05And shoes
23:06And leprechauns
23:08Back home
23:10Just think, me love
23:12Homeward bound for Ireland
23:15Oh, Christmas
23:17You might have had some help
23:20From a couple of Patricks
23:21But you've surely outdone yourself this year
23:25I'm here for you
23:26I bet you're gonna have a love
23:29Who are your parents
23:30And you're gonna have a love
23:30I bet you're gonna have a love
23:31A little bit of a love
23:33You might have gone