Irish songs and traditional music
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Top of page GALLIPOLI (Swan/Doyle) I remember the day it stands clear in my mind We went down to Dun Laoighaire to wave you goodbye Your ma was quietly weeping, there was a tear in my eye your sailing to Gallipoli to die You looked so young as you stood there with a glint in your eye and you sang rebel songs as the streamers flew high Your ma she turned away and I heard her sigh you are sailing to Gallipoli to die Chorus: You were all that we had, your mammy and me when you marched head erect you were proud as could be but it killed your poor ma and it slowly killing me when you were blown to kingdom come on the shores of Gallipoli We got only one letter we knew right away It said deepest regrets your son was bold and he was brave you were only 19 yet your mammy and I let you sail to Gallipoli to die Chorus You fought for the wrong country you fought for the wrong cause and your ma often said that it was Ireland's great loss all those fine young men who marched to foreign shores to fight the war when the greatest war of all was at home Chorus Top of page GALWAY BAY If you ever go across the sea to Ireland Then maybe at the closing of your day You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh And see the sun go down on Galway Bay Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream The women in the meadows making hay And to sit beside a turf fire in the cabin And watch the barefoot gosoons at their play For the breezes blowing over the seas from Ireland Are perfumed by the heather as it blows And the women in the uplands diggin' praties Speak a language that the strangers do not know For the strangers came and tried to teach us their way They scorn'd us just for being what we are But they might as well go chasing after moonbeams Or light a penny candle from a star And if there is going to be a life hereafter And somehow I am sure there's going to be I well ask my God to let me make my heaven In that dear land across the Irish sea Top of page GALWAY FARMER [Song written in 1992 by Steve Knightley from the group Show of Hands] I worked my days on a Galway Farm In the sun and rain and wind and storm But once a year I'll chance my arm And cross the sea to England I'll scrimp and save 2000 pounds Spend the week in Cheltenham town But the racing over always down I come back poor from England I dreamed one night before I left A coal black mare with a white star chest Crossed the line and beat the rest I came back rich to Galway I rose at dawn and drove all day Thinking, wondering all the way Lady luck have you come to stay Or steal away in the morning When I got to Cheltenham town Irish faces all around No bed or mattress to be found I slept out on the hillside I spent three days at the viewing ring Saw the horses they led in And just as I was giving in I stood and stared in wonder With stamping hooves and steaming breath A coal black mare with a white star chest I ran my finger down the list I matched the name and number Well Lady Luck had come half way The horses name was Galway Bay 20-1 were the odds that day I went to make my wager I counted out 2000 pounds Held it high, slapped it down The bookie smiled but made no sound I knew what he was thinking The biggest loser in all the land With pounding heart and shaking hands I made my way up to the stand The horses came to order But at the first she nearly fell I cursed my farmers luck to hell The second and third she took quite well Way behind the leaders Then moving swiftly from the back Found the rails and caught the pack Ten to go and from the back Her hooves were drumming thunder She’s catching horses one by one Bridle flashing in the sun Eight to go and a mile to run Two are left before her Down the straight and on they sped Left one at the last for dead Caught the next and by a head She came home a winner So I came back to my Galway farm A wiser and a richer man But never again I'll chance my arm Or cross the sea to England 'Cos Lady Luck was mine that day I held her close and she went my way I raised a glass to the Galway Bay And the dream of the Galway farmer Top of page THE GALWAY RACES (1) As I rode down to Galway town to seek for recreation On the seventeenth of August me mind being elevated There were multitudes assembled with their tickets at the station Me eyes began to dazzle and I'm goin' to see the races Chorus: With your whack-fa-the-da-for-the-diddle-ee-iddle-day There were passengers from Limerick and passengers from Nenagh And passengers from Dublin and sportsmen from Tipperary There were passengers from Kerry, and all quarters of our nation And our member, Mr. Hearst, for to join the Galway Blazers There were multitudes from Aran, and members from New Quay shore Boys from Connemara and the Clare unmarried maidens There were people from Cork city, who were loyal, true and faithful Who brought home the Fenian prisoners from diverse foreign nations It's there you'll see confectioners with sugarsticks and dainties The lozenges and oranges, the lemonade and raisins! The gingerbread and spices to accomodate the ladies And a big crubeen for thruppence to be pickin' while you're able It's there you'll see the gamblers, the thimbles and the garters And the spotting Wheel of Fortune with the four and twenty quarters There was others without scruple pelting wattles at poor Maggy And her father well-contented and he lookin' at his daughter It's there you'll see the pipers and the fiddlers competing The nimble footed dancers a-tripping over the daisies There were others crying cigars and lights and bills for all the races With the colors of the jockeys and the prize and horses' ages It's there you'll see the jockeys and they're mounted out so stately The pink, the blue, the orange, and green, the emblem of our nation When the bell was rung for starting, all the horses seemed impatient I thought they never stood on ground their speed was so amazing There was half a million people there from all denominations The Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew, and Presbyterian There was yet no animosity, no matter what persuasion But "failte" and hospitality inducin' fresh acquaintance Top of page THE GALWAY RACES (2) As I rode down to Galway Town to seek for recreation On the seventeen of August me mind being elevated There were multitudes assembled with their tickets at the station And me eyes beggan to dazzle and they off to see the races With me wack fol the do fol the diddle idle day There were passengers from Limerick and passengers from Nenagh The boys of Connemara and the Clare unmarried maiden There were people from Cork City who were loyal, true and faithful Who brought home the Fenian prisoners from dying in foreign nations With me wack fol the do fol the diddle idle day And it's there you see the pipers and the fiddlers competing And the sporting wheel of fortune and the four and twenty quaters And there's others without scruple pelting wattles at poor Maggie And her father well contented and he gazing at his daughter With me wack fol the do fol the diddle idle day And it's there you see the jockeys and they mounted on so stably The pink, the blue, the orange, and green the colours of our nation When the bell was rung for starting all the horses seemed impatient Their feet they hardly touched the ground the speed was so amazing! With me wack fol the do fol the diddle idle day There was half a million people there of all denominations The Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew the Presbyterian There was yet no animosity no matter what persuasion But failte hospitality Inducing fresh acquaintance With me wack fol the do fol the diddle idle day Top of page THE GALWAY RACES (3) As I rode down to Galway Town to seek for recreation On the seventeenth of August, me mind being elevated There were multitudes assembled with their tickets at the station Me eyes began to dazzle and I'm going to see the races With me whack fol-da-da, fol-da-diddly-ida-day There were passengers from Limerick and more from Tipperary Boys from Connemara and the flair of married ladies People from Cork City who were loyal, true and faithful Who brought home the Fenian prisoners from dying in foreign nations With me whack fol-da-da, fol-da-diddly-ida-day It's there you'll see the jockeys and they're mounted out so stately The pink, the blue, the orange and green, the emblem of our Nation When the bell was rung for starting, all the horses seemed impatient I thought they never stood on groung, their speed was so amazing With me whack fol-da-da, fol-da-diddly-ida-day There was half a million people there from all denominations The Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew and Presbyterian There was yet no animosity, no matter what persuasion But sportsman hospitality and induce fresh aquaintance With me whack fol-da-da, fol-da-diddly-ida-day Top of page GÁRDAI 'N RÍ (The King's Own Guards) Rachaidh mise suas le Gárdaí 'n Rí Agus bhéarfaidh mis' anuas ar láimh liom í Nach mise chuirfeadh cluain ar a báin-chnios mín Agus bhéarfadidh mé go Tuaifín í grá mo chroí Tógaigí suas ar ghruaidh-mhín an iomair' í Lasadh ina gruaidh agus buaidh gach duine léi 'Ghiolla 'tá gan gruaim a chuirfeadh cluain ar an iomataí Nach é mo scéal truaighe mar luaidheadh mise leat Níl mise tinn agus níl mé slán Is ró-mhór m'osna is ní fhéadaim a rá Nuair a smuaintím ar an uair úd a bhí mé is tú, 'ghrá Guala ar ghualainn agus lámh ar láimh Galar claoite 'choíche 'n grá 'S mairg ar a mbíonn sé oíche ná lá Gidh gur cruaidh 'n rud a' snaidhm 's nach scaoiltear é go bráth O is, a chomrádaí díleas, go dté tú slán Top of page THE GARDEN WHERE THE PRATIES GROW Have you ever been in love, me boys? Oh! have you felt the pain? I'd rather be in jail, me boys/myself Than be in love again For the girl I loved was beautiful I'd have you all to know And I met her in the garden Where the praties grow Chorus: She was just the sort of creature, boys That nature did intend To walk right through the world, me boys Without a Grecian Bend Nor did she wear a chignon I'd have you all to know And I met her in the garden Where the praties grow Said I, "My pretty/lovely colleen I hope you'll pardon me/hope that you agree" And she wasn't like the city girls Who'd say "You're making free" She looked at me right modestly/honestly And curtsied very low "Sure, you're welcome in the garden Where the praties grow" Chorus Says I, "My lovely darling/pretty Colleen I'm tired of single life And if you've no objections I will make you my sweet wife." Says she, "I'll ask my parents And tomorrow I'll let you know If you'll meet me in the garden/ and i mmet you in the garden Where the praties grow" Chorus Her parents they consented And we're blessed with children three: Two girls just like their mother And a boy the image of me We'll train them up in decency The way they ought to go And we'll send them to the garden Where the praties grow Chorus Top of page GARRYOWEN [Garryowen is known to have been used by Irish regiments as a drinking song. The name is derived from Gaelic meaning Owen's garden, and is nowadays part of Limerick city. That was where the 5th Royal Irish Lancers made their home, and soon the song became associated with the Lancers' drinking. The Irish poet Thomas Moore wrote the words around 1807. The tune is first documented as Auld Bessy in 1788. General George Armstrong Custer reportedly heard the song among his Irish troops and liked it. Lieutenant Colonel (Captain) Myles W. Keogh and several other officers with ties to the Fifth Royal Irish Lancers and the Papal Guard, two Irish regiments in the British Army, were believed to be instrumental in bringing the air to the regiment. The tune was then played so often the 7th Cavalry became tied to it. In 1867 it was adopted as the official marching song of the Seventh Cavalry. It was the last song played for Custer's men as they left general Alfred Terry's column at the Powder River and rode into history by being defeated by the warriors of the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho nations on the morning of 25th June 1876 at the Battle of Little Bighorn] Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed But join with me each jovial blade Come booze and sing and lend your aid To help me with the chorus Chorus: Instead of spa we'll drink brown ale And pay the reckoning on the nail For debt no man shall go to gaol (jail) From Garryowen in glory We are the boys that take delight in Smashing the Limerick lamps when lighting Through the street like sportsters fighting And tearing all before us We'll break the windows, we'll break the doors The watch knock down by threes and fours Then let the doctors work their cures And tinker up our bruised We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun We'll make the mayor and sheriffs run We are the boys no man dares dun If he regards a whole skin Our hearts so stout have got us fame For soon 'tis known from whence we came Where'er we go they dread the name Of Garryowen in glory Johnny Connell's tall and straight And in his limbs he is complete He'll pitch a bar of any weight From Garryowen to Thomondgate Garryowen is gone to rack Since Johnny Connell went to Cork Though Darby O'Brien leapt over the dock In spite of judge and jury Top of page GIVE ME YOUR HAND (Tabhair dom do lámh) Just give me your hand Tabhair dom do lámh Just give me your hand And I'll walk with you Through the streets of our land Through the mountains so grand If you give me your hand Just give me your hand And come along with me Will you give me your hand And the world it can see That we can be free In peace and harmony? From the north to the south From the east to the west Every mountain, every valley Every bush and birds nest! Just give me your hand Tabhair dom do lámh Just give me your hand For the world it is ours All the sea and the land To destroy or command If you give me your hand Just give me your hand In a gesture of peace Will you give me your hand And all troubles will cease For the strong and the weak For the rich and the poor? All peoples and creeds Let's meet their needs With a passion, we can fashion A new world of love! Chorus: By day and night Through all struggle and strife And beside you, to guide you Forever, my love For love's not for one But for both of us to share For our country so fair For our world and what's there Top of page GOD BLESS ENGLAND (Peadar Kearney) I'll sing you a song of peace and love Whack fol the diddle all the di do day To the land that reigns all lands above Whack fol the diddle all the di do day May peace and plenty be her share Who kept our homes from want and care God bless England is our prayer Whack fol the diddle all the di do day Chorus: Whack fol the diddle all the di do day So we say, Hip Hooray! Come and listen while we pray Whack fol the diddle all the di do day When we were savage, fierce and wild Whack fol the diddle all the di do day England came as mother to child Whack fol the diddle all the di do day She gently raised us from the slime Stopped our drinking and our crime And sent us to Heaven in her own good time Whack fol the diddle all the di do day Chorus Now our fathers oft were naughty boys Whack fol the diddle all the di do day For guns and pikes are dangerous toys Whack fol the diddle all the di do day From Bearna Baol to Bunker Hill They made poor England cry her fill But ould Brittania loves us still! Whack fol the diddle all the di do day Chorus Now Irishmen, forget the past! Whack fol the diddle all the di do day And think of the time that's coming fast Whack fol the diddle all the di do day When we shall all be civilized Neat and clean and well-advised Won't Mother England be surprised? Whack fol the diddle all the di do day Chorus Top of page GOD SAVE IRELAND (T. D. Sullivan) High upon the gallows tree swung the noble-hearted Three By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their bloom But they met him face to face, with the courage of their race And they went with souls undaunted to their doom Chorus: "God save Ireland!" said the heroes "God save Ireland" said they all "Whether on the scaffold high Or the battlefield we die 0, what matter when for Erin dear we fall!" Girt around with cruel foes, still their courage proudly rose For they thought of hearts that loved them for and near Of the millions true and brave o'er the ocean's swelling wave And the friends in holy Ireland ever dear Chorus Climbed they up the rugged stair, rang their voices out in prayer Then with England's fatal cord around them cast Close beside the gallows tree kissed like brothers lovingly True to home and faith and freedom to the last Chorus Never till the latest day shall the memory pass away Of the gallant lives thus given for our land But on the cause must go, amidst joy and weal and woe Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand Chorus Top of page GOODBYE MICK The ship it sails in half an hour to cross the broad Atlantic My friends are standing on the quay with grief and sorrow frantic I'm just about to sail away in the good ship Dan O'Leary The anchor's weighed and the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary Chorus: And it's goodbye Mick and goodbye Pat and goodbye Kate and Mary The anchor's weighed and the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary And now the steam is blowing off, I have no more to say I'm bound for New York City boys, three thousand miles away In my portmanteau here I have some cabbage, beans and bacon And if you think I can't eat that, well, there's where yer mistaken For this ship will play with pitch and toss for half a dozen farthings I'll roll me bundle on me back and walk to Castle gardens Now I won't come that Yankee chat, I guess I'm calculatin' Come liquor up old sonny boy, when an old friend I am treatin' I'm deep in love with Molly Burke like an ass is fond of clover I'll send for her when I get there - that's if she will come over Then fare thee well old Erin dear, to part me heart does ache well From Carrickfergus to Cape Clear - I'll never see your equal Although to foreign parts we're bound where cannibals may eat us We'll ne'er forget the Holy Ground of poteen and potatoes When good St Paddy banished snakes he shook them from his garment He never thought we'd go abroad to look upon such vermint Nor quit this land where whiskey grew to wear the Yankee button Take vinegar for mountain dew and toads for mountain mutton Top of page THE GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE (Written by Eric Bogle) [Originally called "No Man's Land", it is also known as "Willie McBride" Visit Eric Bogle's official homepage] Well how do you do, young Willie McBride Do you mind if I sit here down by your graveside And rest for a while 'neath the warm summer sun I've been walking all day and I'm nearly done I see by your gravestone you were only nineteen When you joined the great call-up in nineteen-sixteen I hope you died well and I hope you died clean Or Willie McBride, was it slow and obscene Chorus: Did they beat the drum slowly, did they play the fife lowly Did they sound the dead march as they lowered you down? And did the band play the 'Last post' and chorus? Did the pipes play the 'Flowers of the forest'? Did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind In some faithful heart is your memory enshrined? Although you died back in nineteen sixteen In that faithful heart are you forever nineteen? Or are you a stranger without even a name Enclosed and forever behind the glass frame In a old photograph, torn and battered and stained And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame? Chorus The sun now it shines on the green fields of France There's a warm summer breeze, makes the red poppies dance And look how the sun shines from under the clouds There's no gas, no barbed wire, there's no guns firing now But here in this graveyard it's still no-man's land The countless white crosses stand mute in the sand To man's blind indifference to his fellow man To a whole generation that were butchered and damned Chorus Now young Willie McBride I can't help wonder why Do those who lie here know why did they die? And did they believe when they answered the call Did they really believe that this war would end wars? For the sorrow, the suffering, the glory, the pain The killing, the dying was all done in vain For young Willie McBride, it all happened again And again, and again, and again, and again Chorus Top of page HILLS OF CONNEMARA Chorus: Gather up the pots and the old tin cans The mash, the corn, the barley and the bran Run like the devil from the excise man Keep the smoke from rising, Barney Keep your eyes well peeled today The excise men are on their way Searching for the mountain tay In the hills of Connemara Swinging to the left, swinging to the right The excise men will dance all night Drinkin' up the tay till the broad daylight In the hills of Connemara Chorus A gallon for the butcher and a quart for John And a bottle for poor old Father Tom Just to help the poor old dear along In the hills of Connemara Stand your ground, for it's too late The excise men are at the gate Glory be to Paddy, but they're drinkin' it straight In the hills of Connemara Chorus twice Top of page HOW ARE THINGS IN GLOCCA MORRA How are things in Glocca Morra? Is that little brook still leaping there? Does it still run down to Donny-cove? Through Killybegs, Kilkerry and Kildare? How are things in Glocca Morra? Is that willow tree still weeping there? Does that laddie with the twinklin' eye Come whistlin' by and does he walk away Sad and dreamy there not to see me there? So I ask each weepin' willow And each brook along the way And each lad that comes a'whistlin' Too-ra-lay How are things in Glocca Morra This fine day? Top of page IF I WAS A BLACKBIRD I am a young maiden, my story is sad For once I was courted by a brave sailin' lad He courted me strongly, by night and by day Oh, but now he has left me, and sailed far away Chorus: And if I was a blackbird I'd whistle and sing And I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in And on the top riggin' I would there build my nest And I'd flutter my wings o'er his lily white breast Chorus Well, he promised to take me to Donnybrook Fair And to buy me red ribbons for to tie up my hair And when he'd come home from the ocean so wide He would take me, and make me, his own bonny bride Chorus Now his parents they slight me, and will not agree That me and my sailor boy married will be But when he comes home, I will greet him with joy And I'll take to my heart my dear sailor boy Chorus Top of page IF YOU'RE IRISH... In sweet Lim'rick Town, they say Lived a chap named Patrick John Molloy Once he sailed to the U.S.A. His luck in foreign parts he thought he'd try Now he's made his name, and is a wealthy man He put a bit away for a rainy day So if you gaze upon The house of Patrick John You'll find a notice that goes on to say: Chorus: If you're Irish come into the parlour There's a welcome there for you If your name is Timothy or Pat So long as you come from Ireland There's a welcome on the mat If You come from the Mountains of Mourne Or Killarney's lakes so blue We'll sing you a song and we'll make a fuss Whoever you are you are one of us If you're Irish, this is the place for you Patrick loved the girl he wed But he could not stand his Ma-n-aw Once with joy he turned quite red When she got into trouble thro' her jaw Six police they had to take her to the Court She was informed a month she would have to do So Patrick quickly wrote Up to the Judge a note Explaining, "Sir, I'm much obliged to you!" Top of page I'LL TAKE YOU HOME AGAIN KATHLEEN [This song was written in 1875 by Thomas Westendorf, a public school music teacher in Plainfield, Illinois, USA. The first public performance of the tune was in Plainfield's town hall. He wrote the tune for his wife Jeanie, while she was visiting her home town of Ogdensburg, New York. In 1876 the tune was one of two most popular songs in America - the other being Grandfather's Clock.] I'll take you home again, Kathleen Across the ocean wild and wide To where your heart has ever been Since you were first my bonnie bride The roses all have left your cheek I've watched them fade away and die Your voice is sad when e'er you speak And tears bedim your loving eyes Chorus: Oh! I will take you back, Kathleen To where your heart will feel no pain And when the fields are fresh and green I'll take you to your home again! I know you love me, Kathleen, dear Your heart was ever fond and true I always feel when you are near That life holds nothing, dear, but you The smiles that once you gave to me I scarcely ever see them now Though many, many times I see A dark'ning shadow on your brow Chorus To that dear home beyond the sea My Kathleen shall again return And when thy old friends welcome thee Thy loving heart will cease to yearn Where laughs the little silver stream Beside your mother's humble cot And brightest rays of sunshine gleam There all your grief will be forgot Chorus Top of page I'LL TELL ME MA I'll tell me ma when I go home The boys won't leave the girls alone They pulled my hair and they stole my comb Well that's all right till I go home She is handsome, she is pretty She is the belle of Belfast City She is counting..one, two, three! Please won't you tell me, who is she Albert Mooney says he loves her All the boys are fighting for her They knock at the door and they ring at the bell Sayin', "Oh my true love, are you well?" Out she comes as white as snow Rings on her fingers, bells on her toes Old Johnny Murray says she'll die If she doesn't get the fellow with the rovin' eye Let the wind and the rain and the hail blow high And the snow come tumblin' from the sky She's as nice as apple pie, She'll get her own lad by and by When she gets a lad of her own She won't tell her ma when she comes home Let them all come as they will For it's Albert Mooney she loves still Top of page I.R.E.L.A.N.D. Come all ye lads and lassies and sit you down with me And I will tell the truth about a land that's dear to me You've read it in the papers and you've seen it on TV But I will spell it out for you, what Ireland means to me Chorus: I is for internment of the innocent and free R is for resistance to the laws of tyranny E is for the English who have torn our land apart L is for the love of freedom in every Irish heart A is for the answer we're all searching for N is for one nation and an end to this long war D is for the dream of millions longing to be free That's how I spell Ireland, that`s what Ireland means to me This land was once respected for its saints and scholars too But now the bomb and bullet that's all that makes the news I know that it's confusing and it's hard to understand But I will spell it out for you by spelling Ireland Repeat chorus Top of page THE IRISH EMIGRANT I'm sitting on the stile, Mary, where we once sat side by side On a bright May morning long ago, when first you were my bride The corn was springing fresh and green, and the lark sang loud and high And the red was on your lips, Mary, and the love light in your eyes Tis but a step down yonder lane, the village Church stands near The place where we were wed, Mary, I can see the spire from here But the graveyard lies between, Mary, and my step might break your rest Where I laid you darling down to sleep with a baby on your breast I'm very lonely now, Mary, for the poor make no new friends But oh they love the better still the few our Father sends For you were all I had, Mary, my blessing and my pride And I've nothing left to care for now since my poor Mary died Yours was the good brave heart, Mary, that still kept hoping on When the trust in God had left my soul and my arms young strength had gone There was comfort ever on your lip and a kind look on your brow And I thank you Mary for the same though you cannot hear me now I'm bidding you a long farewell, my Mary kind and true But I'll not forget you, darling, in the land I'm going to They say there's bread and work for all, and the sun shines always there But I'll ne'er forget old Ireland, were it fifty times as fair And often in those grand old woods I'll sit and shut my eyes And my heart will wander back again to the place where Mary lies And I think I'll see that little stile where we sat side by side In the springing corn and the bright May morn' when first you were my bride Top of page THE IRISH FREE STATE I went to see David, to London to David I went to see David, and what did he do? He gave me a Free State, a nice little Free State A Free State that's bound up with Red, White and Blue I brought it to Dublin to show to Dail Eirann I brought it to Dublin, and what did they do? They asked me what kind of a thing was a Free State A Free State that's tied up with Red, White and Blue "Three quarters of Ireland a nation," I told them "Tied on to the Empire with Red, White and Blue; And an oath they must swear to King George and Queen Mary An oath they must swear to the son-in-law new I'm teaching them Irishand painting their boxes All over with green, sure, what more can I do? Yet they tell me they want just an Irish Republic Without any trimmings of Red, White and Blue! Top of page THE IRISH MAIL ROBBER It's adieu to old Ireland, the place where I was born Near the county of Limerick, near the state of Glengall; Far away to some island, bound down like a slave It was in my own country I did misbehave It was my old father who did caution me To leave off night walking, shun bad company; Saying, "Son, you are young and they'll lead you astray You will think of these words when I'm cold in the clay" But to all his good advices I never gave care And still I went on with my wicked career; 'Twas drinking and gambling by night and by day To maintain those rude "wimming" and dress them up gay I had not been long in this wicked career Before I was taken by the laws of the land; Was tried and found guilty of a mail robbery And for ages transported across the salt sea 'Tis now I'm safe landed on my own native shore and looking around me I can see my cell door; And looking around me I can see my cell door Which causes me to think of my mother once more Oft times I have wondered why "wimming" love men More times I have wondered why men should love them; They lead you to ruin and cause your downfall They'll cause you to sleep behind cold prison walls Top of page THE IRISH ROVER (1) In the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and six we set sail from the coal quay of Cork We were bound far away with a cargo of bricks for the fine city hall of New York In a very fine craft, she was rigged fore-and-aft and oh, how the wild winds drove her She had twenty-three masts and withstood several blasts and we called her the Irish Rover There was Barney McGee from the banks of the Lee there was Hogan from County Tyrone And Johnny McGurk who was scared stiff of work and a chap from West Meath called Malone There was Slugger O'Toole who was drunk as a rule and fighting Bill Casey from Dover There was Dooley from Claire who was strong as a bear and was skipper of the Irish Rover We had one million bales of old nanny goats' tails we had two million barrels of stones We had three million sides of old blind horses hides we had four million packets of bones We had five million hogs, and six million dogs and seven million barrels of porter We had eight million bags of the best Sligo rags in the hold of the Irish Rover We had sailed seven years when the measles broke out and the ship lost her way in a fog (BIG FOG!) And the whole of the crew was reduced down to two 'Twas myself and the captain's old dog Then the ship struck a rock, Oh Lord what a shock and then she heeled right over Turned nine times around, and the poor dog was drowned I'm the last of the Irish Rover Top of page THE IRISH ROVER (2) In the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and three set sail from the County of Cork We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks for the grand city hall in New York We had an elegant craft, it was rigged 'fore and 'aft And how the trade winds drove her she had twenty three masts and she stood several blasts And they called her the Irish Rover There was Barney Magree from the banks of the Lee there was Hogan from County Tyrone There was Johnny McGurk, who was scared stiff of work and a chap from WestMeath named Malone There was Slugger O'Toole, who was drunk as a rule and fighting Bill Tracy that drove her And your man Mick McCann from the banks of the Bann was the skipper of the Irish Rover We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags we had two million barrels of bone We had three million bales of old nanny goats' tails we had four million barrels of stone We had five million hogs and six million dogs and seven million barrels of porter We had eight million sides of old blind horses hides in the hold of the Irish Rover We had sailed seven years, when the measles broke out and our ship lost her way in a fog And the whole of the crew was reduced down to two 'Twas myself and the captain's old dog Then the ship struck a rock. O Lord, what a shock and nearly tumbled over Turned nine times around, then the poor old dog was drowned I'm the last of the Irish Rover Top of page IRISH SOLDIER BOY At a cottage door one winters' night as the snow lay on the ground Stood a youthful Irish soldier boy to the mountains he was bound His mother stood beside him saying you'll win my boy don't fear With loving arms around his waist she tied his bandolier Good bye, God bless you mother dear I hope your heart won't pain But pray to God that you should see your soldier boy again And when I'm out in the firing line it will be a source of joy For you to know that you're remembering still your Irish soldier boy And when the fighting it was o'er and the flag of truce was raised The leaders ordered fire to cease all Ireland stood amazed His comrades came to the cottage door with a note from her pride and joy With an aching heart she cried God be good to her Irish soldier boy Goodbye, God bless you mother dear I'm dying a death so grand From wounds received in action trying to free my native land I hope we'll meet in heaven above in that land beyond the sky Where you'll always be in company with Your Irish Soldier boy Top of page IRISH SOLDIER LADDIE 'Twas a morning in July, I was walking to Tipperary When I heard a battle cry from the mountains over head As I looked up in the sky I saw an Irish soldier laddie He looked at me right fearlessly and said: Chorus: Will ye stand in the band like a true Irish man And go and fight the forces of the crown? Will ye march with O'Neill to an Irish battle field? For tonight we go to free old Wexford town! Said I to that soldier boy, "Won't you take me to your captain T'would be my pride and joy for to march with you today My young brother fell in Cork and my son at Innes Carthay!" Unto the noble captain I did say: As we marched back from the field in the shadow of the evening With our banners flying low to the memory of our dead We returned unto our homes but without my soldier laddie Yet I never will forget those words he said: Top of page IRISH WAYS AND IRISH LAWS Once upon a time there was Irish ways and Irish laws Villages of Irish blood Waking in the morning Waking in the morning Then the Vikings came around Turned us up and turned us down Started building boats and towns They tried to change our living They tried to change our living Cromwell and his soldiers came Started centuries of shame But they could not make us turn We are a river flowing We're a river flowing Again, again the soldiers came Burnt our houses, stole our grain Shot the farmers in their fields Working for a living Working for a living Eight hundred years we have been down The secret of the water sound Has kept the spirit of the man Above the pain descending Above the pain descending Today the struggle carries on I wonder will I live so long To see the gates being opened up To a people and their freedom A people and their freedom Top of page ISLE OF HOPE, ISLE OF TEARS On the first day of January, eighteen ninety-two, they opened Ellis Island and they let the people through And the first to cross the treshold of that isle of hope and tears, was Annie Moore from Ireland who was only fifteen years Isle of hope, isle of tears, isle of freedom, isle of fears, but it's not the isle you left behind Isle of hunger, isle of pain, isle you'll never see again for the isle of home is always on your mind In that little bag she carried all her past and history, and her dreams for the future in the land of liberty And courage is the passport when your old world disappears there's no future in the past when you're fifteen years Isle of hope, isle of tears, isle of freedom, isle of fears, but it's not the isle you left behind Isle of hunger, isle of pain, isle you'll never see again for the isle of home is always on your mind When they closed down Ellis Island in nineteen fourty-three, seventeen million people had come there for sanctuary And in springtime when I came here and I stepped onto its piers, I thought of how it must have been when you're fifteen years Isle of hope, isle of tears, isle of freedom, isle of fears, but it's not the isle you left behind Isle of hunger, isle of pain, isle you'll never see again for the isle of home is always on your mind Isle of hope, isle of tears, isle of freedom, isle of fears, but it's not the isle you left behind Isle of hunger, isle of pain, isle you'll never see again for the isle of home is always on your mind Top of page ISLE OF INISHFREE I've heard some folks who say that I'm a dreamer And I've no doubt there's truth in what they say But sure a body's bound to be a dreamer When all the things he loves are far away And precious things are dreams unto an exile they take him o'er a land across the sea Especially when it happens you're and exile from that dear lovely Isle of Innishfree Chorus: And when the moonlight peeps across the rooftops of this great city, wondrous though it be I scarcely feel it's wonder or it's laughter I'm once again back home in Inishfree I wonder o'er green hills, through dreamy valleys And find a peace no other land could know I hear the birds make music fit for angels And watch the rivers laughing as they flow But dreams don't last though dreams are not forgotten And soon I'm back to stern reality But though they pave the footpaths here with gold dust I still would choose my Isle of Inishfree Top of page 'T WAS PRETTY TO BE IN BALLINDERRY 'Twas pretty to be in Ballinderry 'Twas pretty to be in Aghalee Still prettier to be on bonny Ram's Island Sitting forever beneath a tree For often I sailed to bonny Ram's Island Arm in arm with Phelim, my diamond And he would whistle and I would sing And we would make the whole island ring "I'm going," he said, "from bonny Ram's Island Out and across the deep blue sea And if in your heart you love me, Mary Open your arms at last to me" 'Twas pretty to be in Ballinderry But now it's as sad as sad can be For the ship that sailed with Phelim, my diamond Is sunk forever beneath the sea 'Twas pretty to be in Ballinderry 'Twas pretty to be in Aghalee Still prettier to be on bonny Ram's Island Sitting forever beneath a tree Top of page JAMES CONNOLLY A great crowd had gathered outside of Kilmainham With their heads uncovered they knelt on the ground For inside that grim prison lay a brave Irish soldier His life for his country about to lay down He went to his death like a true son of Ireland The firing party he bravely did face Then the order rang out: "Present Arms, Fire!" James Connolly fell into a ready-made grave The black flag was hoisted the cruel deed was over Gone was the man who loved Ireland so well There was many a sad heart in Dublin that morning When they murdered James Connolly, the Irish Rebel! God's curse on you, England, you cruel-hearted monster Your deeds they would shame all the devils in hell There are no flowers blooming but the shamrock is growing On the grave of James Connolly, the Irish Rebel! Many years have rolled by since that Irish rebellion When the guns of Britannia they loudly did speak The bold I.R.A. they stood shoulder to shoulder And the blood from their bodies flowed down Sackville Street The Four Courts of Dublin the English bombarded The spirit of Freedom they tried hard to quell For above all the din rose the cry "No Surrender," 'Twas the voice of James Connolly, the Irish Rebel Top of page JOHNNY BE FAIR Oh, Johnny be fair and Johnny be fine he wants me for to wed And I would marry Johnny, but me father up and said "I'm sorry to tell you daughter, what your mother never knew But Johnny is a son of mine and so he's kin to you" Oh, Willie be fair and Willie be fine he wants me for to wed And I would marry Willie, but me father up and said "I'm sorry to tell you daughter, what your mother never knew But Willie too is a son of mine and so he's kin to you" Oh, Thomas be fair and Thomas be fine he wants me for to wed And I would marry Thomas, but me father up and said "I'm sorry to tell you daughter, what your mother never knew But Thomas is a son of mine and so he's kin to you" Oh, you never saw a maid so sad and sorry as I was The lads in town were all me kin and me father was the cause If life should thus continue, I will die a single miss I think I'll go to mother and complain to her of this "Oh, daughter, haven't I told you to forgive and to forget? Your father sowed his wild oats, but still you need not fret Your father may be father to all the lads in town, but still He's not the one who sired you, so marry whom you will" Top of page JOHNNY I HARDLY KNEW YE While goin' the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo While goin' the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo While goin' the road to sweet Athy A stick in me hand and a drop in me eye A doleful damsel I heard cry Johnny I hardly knew ye With your drums and guns and drums and guns, hurroo, hurroo With your drums and guns and drums and guns, hurroo, hurroo With your drums and guns and drums and guns The enemy nearly slew ye Oh my darling dear, Ye look so queer Johnny I hardly knew ye Where are your eyes that were so mild, hurroo, hurroo Where are your eyes that were so mild, hurroo, hurroo Where are your eyes that were so mild When my heart you so beguiled Why did ye run from me and the child Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye Where are your legs that used to run, hurroo, hurroo Where are your legs that used to run, hurroo, hurroo Where are your legs that used to run When you went for to carry a gun Indeed your dancing days are done Oh Johnny, I hardly knew ye I'm happy for to see ye home, hurroo, hurroo I'm happy for to see ye home, hurroo, hurroo I'm happy for to see ye home All from the island of Sulloon So low in flesh, so high in bone Oh Johnny I hardly knew ye Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg, hurroo, hurroo Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg, hurroo, hurroo Ye haven't an arm, ye haven't a leg Ye're an armless, boneless, chickenless egg Ye'll have to put with a bowl out to beg Oh Johnny I hardly knew ye They're rolling out the guns again, hurroo, hurroo They're rolling out the guns again, hurroo, hurroo They're rolling out the guns again But they never will take our sons again No they never will take our sons again Johnny I'm swearing to ye Top of page JOHNSON'S MOTOR CAR It was down by Brannigan's corner one morning I did stray I met a fellow rebel and to me he did say We have orders from our Captain to assemble at Dunbar But how are we to get there without a motor car Oh Barney dear be of good cheer I'll tell you what we'll do The Specials they are plentiful but the I.R.A. are few We'll send a wire to Johnson to meet us at Stranlar And we'll give the boys a jolly good drive in Johnson's Motor Car When Doctor Johnson heard the news he soon put on his shoes He said this is an urgent case, there is not time to lose He then put on his castor hat and on his breast a star You could hear the din going through Glen Fin of Johnson's Motor Car But when he got to the Railway Bridge, the rebels he saw there Ould Johnson knew the game was up for at him they did stare He said I have a permit to travel near and far To hell with your English permit, we want you motor car What will my loyal brethren think when they hear the news My car it has been commandeered by the rebels at Dunluce We'll give you a receipt for it, all signed by Captain Barr And when Ireland gets her freedom, boy, you'll get your motor car! Well they put that car in motion and they filled it to the brim With guns and bayonets shining, which made ould Johnson grim Then Barney hoisted the Sinn Fein flag and it fluttered like a star And we gave three cheers for the I.R.A. and Johnson's motor car Top of page THE JOLLY BEGGARMAN I am a little beggarman, a begging I have been For three score years in this little isle of green I'm known along the Liffey from the Basin to the Zoo And everybody calls me by the name of Johnny Dhu Of all the trades a going, sure the begging is the best For when a man is tired he can sit him down and rest He can beg for his dinner, he has nothing else to do But to slip around the corner with his old rigadoo I slept in a barn one night in Currabawn A shocking wet night it was, but I slept until the dawn There was holes in the roof and the raindrops coming thru And the rats and the cats were a playing peek a boo Who did I waken but the woman of the house With her white spotted apron and her calico blouse She began to frighten and I said boo Sure, don't be afraid at all, it's only Johnny Dhu I met a little girl while a walkin out one day Good morrow little flaxen haired girl, I did say Good morrow little beggarman and how do you do With your rags and your tags and your auld rigadoo I'll buy a pair of leggins and a collar and a tie And a nice young lady I'll go courting by and by I'll buy a pair of goggles and I'll color them with blue And an old fashioned lady I will make her too So all along the high road with my bag upon my back Over the fields with my bulging heavy sack With holes in my shoes and my toes a peeping thru Singing, skin a ma rink a doodle with my auld rigadoo Oh I must be going to bed for it's getting late at night The fire is all raked and now tis out of light For now you've heard the story of my auld rigadoo So good and God be with you, from auld Johnny Dhu Top of page JUG OF PUNCH Twas very early in the month of June As I was sitting with my glass and spoon A small bird sat on an ivy bush And the song he sang was the jug of punch CHORUS: Too-rah-loo-rah-loo Too-rah-loo-rah-lay Too-rah-loo-rah-loo Too-rah-loo-rah-lay A small bird sat on an ivy bush And the song he sang was the jug of punch If I were sick and very bad And was not able to go or stand I would not think it at all amiss To pledge my shoes for a jug of punch What more diversion can a man desire Than to sit him down by a snug coal fire Upon his knee a pretty wench And upon the table a jug of punch And when I'm dead and in my grave No costly tomb stone will I have I'll dig a grave both wide and deep With a jug of punch at my head and feet Top of page JUST GIVE ME YOUR HAND Just give me your hand And I'll walk with you Through the streets of our land Through the mountains so grand if you give me your hand Just give me your hand and come along with me will you give me your hand and the world it can see that we can be free in peace and harmony from the north to the south from the east to the west every mountain every valley every bush and bird's nest by day and night through our struggle and strife and beside you to guide you forever my love for love's not for one, but for both of us to share for our country so fair for a world that waits there just give me your hand just give me your hand for the world it is ours for the sea and the land to destroy or command if you give me your hand just give me your hand in a gesture of peace Will you give me your hand and all troubles will cease for the strong and the weak for the rich and the poor all peoples and creeds let's meet their needs with a passion we could fashion a new world of love Chorus Top of page KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN Kathleen Mavourneen! the grey dawn is breaking The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking Kathleen Mavourneen! What, slumbering still! O hast thou forgotten how soon we must sever? O hast thou forgotten this day we must part? It may be for years, and it may be forever Oh, why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart? It may be for years, and it may be forever Then why art thou silent, Kathleen Mavourneen? Kathleen Mavourneen! Awake from thy slumbers The blue mountains glow in the sun's golden light Ah! Where is the spell that once hung on my numbers? Arise in thy beauty, thou star of my night Mavourneen, mavourneen, my sad tears are falling To think that from Erin and thee I must part It may be for years, and it may be forever Oh, why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart? It may be for years, and it may be forever Then why art thou silent, Kathleen Mavourneen? Top of page KELLY OF KILLANE What's the news, what's the news, oh my bold Chevalier With your long barrelled gun of the sea? Say what wind from the south blows his messenger here With a hymn of the dawn for the free Goodly news, goodly news, do I bring youth of forth Goodly news shall you hear, Bargy man For the boys march at morn from the south to the north Led by Kelly the boy from Killane Tell me who is that giant with gold curling hair He who rides at the head of your band? Seven feet is his height, with some inches to spare And he looks like a king in command Ah my lads that's the pride of the bold chevaliers 'Mong our greatest of heroes, a man! Fling your beavers aloft and give three ringing cheers For John Kelly, the boy from Killane Enniscorthy's in flames, and old Wexford is won And the Barrow tomorrow we cross On ahill o'er the town we have planted a gun That will batter the gateway of Ross All the Forth men and Bargy men march o'er the heath With brave Harvey to lead on the van But the foremost of all in the grim Gap of Death Will be Kelly, the boy from Killane But the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross And it set by the Slaneys red waves And poor Wexford stript naked hung high on a cross And her heart pierce by traitors and slaves Glory O! Glory O! to her brave sons who died For the cause of long down-trodden man! Glory O! to Mount Leinster's own darling and pride Dauntless Kelly, the boy from Killane Top of page THE KERRY DANCE Chorus: Oh, the days of the Kerry dancing Oh, the ring of the piper's tune Oh, for one of those hours of gladness Gone, alas, like our youth, too soon! When the boys began to gather In the glen of a summer's night And the Kerry piper's tuning Made us long with wild delight! Oh, to think of it Oh, to dream of it Fills my heart with tears! Chorus Was there ever a sweeter Colleen In the dance than Eily More Or a prouder lad than Thady As he boldly took the floor Lads and lasses to your places Up the middle and down again Ah, the merry hearted laughter Ringing through the happy glen! Oh, to think of it Oh, to dream of it Fills my heart with tears! Chorus Time goes on, and the happy years are dead And one by one the merry hearts are fled Silent now is the wild and lonely glen Where the bright glad laugh will echo ne'er again Only dreaming of days gone by in my heart I hear Loving voices of old companions Stealing out of the past once more And the sound of the dear old music Soft and sweet as in days of yore When the boys began to gather In the glen of a summer's night And the Kerry piper's tuning Made us long with wild delight! Oh, to think of it Oh, to dream of it Fills my heart with tears! Chorus Top of page THE KERRY RECRUIT About four years ago, I was digging the land with my brogues on my feet and my spade in my hand says I to myself what a pity to see Such a fine strapping lad footing turf in Tralee Chorus: Wid me toora na nya, and me toora na nya Wid me toora na noora na noora na nya So I buttoned my brogues and shook hands with my spade and I went to the fair like a dashing young blade When up comes the sergeant and asks me to 'list "Arra, Sergeant, a gra, put the bob in my fist" And the first thing they gave me it was a red coat with a wide strap of leather to tie round my throat They gave me a quare thing, I asked what was that and they told me it was a cockade for my hat The next thing they gave me, they called it a gun with powder and shot and a place for my thumb And first she spit fire and then she spit smoke Lord, she gave a great lep and my shoulder near broke The next place they sent me was down to the sea On board of a warship bound for the Crimea Three sticks in the middle all rowled round with sheets Faith, she walked thro' the water without any feet We fought at the Alma, likewise Inkermann but the Russians they whaled us at the Redan In scaling the walls there myself lost my eye and a big Russian bullet ran off with my thigh It was there I lay bleeding, stretched on the cold ground heads, legs and arms were scattered all around Says I, if my man or my cleaveens were nigh they'd bury me decent and raise a loud cry They brought me the doctor, who soon staunched my blood and he gave me an elegant leg made of wood They gave me a medal and tenpence a day contented with Sheela, I'll live on half-pay Top of page KEVIN BARRY [Kevin Barry was a young volunteer in the IRA. He was caught hiding under a truck after an ambush on British troops in Queen Street, Dublin, in which a british soldier was killed. He was sentenced to death and was hung on 1st November 1920.] In Mountjoy jail one Monday morning High upon the gallows tree Kevin Barry gave his young life For the cause of liberty But a lad of eighteen summers Still there's no one can deny As he walked to death that morning He proudly held his head on high Just before he faced the hangman In his dreary prison cell The Black and Tans tortured Barry Just because he wouldn't tell The names of his brave comrades And other things they wished to know "Turn informer and we'll free you" Kevin Barry answered, "no" "Shoot me like a soldier Do not hang me like a dog For I fought to free old Ireland On that still September morn" "All around the little bakery Where we fought them hand to hand Shoot me like a brave soldier For I fought for Ireland" "Kevin Barry, do not leave us On the scaffold you must die!" Cried his broken-hearted mother As she bade her son good-bye Kevin turned to her in silence Saying, "Mother, do not weep For it's all for dear old Ireland And it's all for freedom's sake" Calmly standing to attention While he bade his last farewell To his broken hearted mother Whose grief no one can tell For the cause he proudly cherished This sad parting had to be Then to death walked softly smiling That old Ireland might be free Another martyr for old Ireland Another murder for the crown Whose brutal laws to crush the Irish Could not keep their spirit down Lads like Barry are no cowards From the foe they will not fly Lads like Barry will free Ireland For her sake they'll live and die Top of page LAKES OF COOLFIN It was early one mornin' young Willie rose and off to his comrade's bed chamber did go sayin, "Arise dearest comrades! Let nobody know" "It's a fine summer's mornin' and a bathin' we'll go!" Well Willie plunged in and he swam to lay ground 'till he came to an island of soft marshy gound crying, "Comrades dearest comrades, do not venture in! For there's false and deep waters in the Lakes of Coolfin well early next morning Willie's sister arose and onto her mother's bedchamber did go sayin', "I had a sad dream 'bout Willie last night He was clad in a shroud, In a shroud of snow white" Well later that evening Willie's mother stood there she was ringing her fingers and tearing her hair saying woe to the hour young Willie plunged in For there's false and deep waters in the Lakes of Coolfin Well I saw a fair maid standing fast by the shore her face it was sad she was crying for sure singing woe to the hour young Willie plunged in For there's false and deep waters in the Lakes of Coolfin Top of page LAKES OF PONTCHARTRAIN T'was on one bright March morning I bid New Orleans adieu And I took the rode to Jackson town, me fortune to renew I cursed all foreign money, no credit could I gain Which filled me heart with longin' for the Lakes of Pontchartain I stepped on board of a railroad car beneath the morning sun And I rode the roads 'til evening and I laid me down again All strangers here, no friends to me 'til a dark girl towards me came And I fell in love with a Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain I said my pretty Creole girl, me money here's no good If it weren't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the wood You're welcome here kind stranger, our house it's very plain But we never turn a stranger out at the Lakes of Pontchartrain She took me to her mummy's house and she treated me quite well The hair upon her shoulders in jet black ringlets fell To try and paint her beauty I'm sure t'would be in vain So handsome was my Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain I asked her if she'd marry me, she'd said it could never be For she had got another and he was far at sea She said that she would wait for him and true she would remain 'Til he returned for his Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain So fair thee well me bonny o' girl I never see no more But I'll ne'er forget your kindness and the cottage by the shore And at each social gathering a flowin' glass I'll raise And drink a health to me Creole girl from the Lakes of Pontchartrain Top of page THE LANGER By Tim O'Riordan & Natural Gas Have you seen the young man The drunken auld lout Roaring and bawling and spilling his stout And in everyone's business You'll first see his snout Down in Cork, he'd be known as a langer! A langer (crowd: a langer) In Cork, he'd be known as a langer! And our hero Roy Keane Footballer supreme The finest this country and Man U's ever seen And we'd have won the World Cup But Mick McCarthy fouled up Roy was dead right to call him a langer! A langer (a langer) Roy was dead right to call him a langer! Féach an phleice amach romhainn ag bladairt trína thóin Níl gaelinn ag éine dár leis, ach é féin Tá aige fomhraíocht sár-bhinn Is gramadach fíor chrinn I gCorcaigh, gan dabht, sé an Langer! An langer (an langer) I gCorcaigh, gan dabht, sé an Langer! In two thousand and five Culture will thrive All along the green banks of the Lee (oh good man George!) But no matter what Even if you arrive on your yacht We'll tolerate absolutely nobody acting the langer! (certainly not in Crosshaven!) Langer, langer There'll be nobody acting the langer So three cheers for Roy Keane He's back wearing the green Ah, what more could you ask him to do? So forget all the press And the whole bloody mess They're only a big shower of langers Langers, langers They're only a big shower of langers So there was me song I didn't keep you too long For now ye all know one more word of Cork slang And while there's meat on me bones I hope I'll never be known As a typical, home-grown Cork langer! Langer (crowd: langer) As a typical home-grown Cork langer! Langer (crowd: langer) As a typical home-grown Cork langer Top of page LANIGAN'S BALL In the town of Athy one Jeremy Lanigan Battered away 'til he hadn't a pound His father he died and made him a man again Left him a farm and ten acres of ground He gave a grand party to friends and relations Who didn't forget him when it comes to the will And if you'll but listen I'll make your eyes glisten Of the rows and the ructions of Lanigan's Ball Chorus: Six long months I spent in Dublin six long months doing nothing at all Six long months I spent in Dublin learning to dance for Lanigan's Ball Myself to be sure got free invitation For all the nice girls and boys I might ask And just in a minute both friends and relations Were dancing 'round merry as bees 'round a cask Judy O'Daly, that nice little milliner She tipped me a wink for to give her a call And I soon arrived with Peggy McGilligan Just in time for Lanigan's Ball Chorus There were lashings of punch and wine for the ladies Potatoes and cakes; there was bacon and tea There were the Nolans, Dolans, O'Gradys Courting the girls and dancing away Songs they went 'round as plenty as water "The harp that once sounded in Tara's old hall," "Sweet Nelly Gray" and "The Rat Catcher's Daughter," All singing together at Lanigan's Ball Chorus They were doing all kinds of nonsensical polkas All 'round the room in a whirligig Julia and I, we banished their nonsense And tipped them the twist of a reel and a jig 'Och mavrone, how the girls got all mad at me Danced 'til you'd think the ceiling would fall For I spent three weeks at Brooks' Academy Learning new steps for Lanigan's Ball She stepped out and I stepped in again I stepped out and she stepped in again She stepped out and I stepped in again Learning new steps for Lanigan's Ball Boys were all merry and the girls they were hearty And danced all around in couples and groups 'Til an accident happened, young Terrance McCarthy Put his right leg through miss Finnerty's hoops Poor creature fainted and cried, "Meelia murther" Called for her brothers and gathered them all Carmody swore that he'd go no further 'Til he had satisfaction at Lanigan's Ball In the midst of the row miss Kerrigan fainted Her cheeks at the same time as red as a rose Some of the lads declared she was painted She took a small drop too much, I suppose Her sweetheart, Ned Morgan, so powerful and able When he saw his fair colleen stretched out by the wall Tore the left leg from under the table And smashed all the Chaneys at Lanigan's Ball Boys, oh boys, 'twas then there were runctions Myself got a lick from big Phelim McHugh I soon replied to his introduction And kicked up a terrible hullabaloo Old Casey, the piper, was near being strangled They squeezed up his pipes, bellows, chanters and all The girls, in their ribbons, they got all entangled And that put an end to Lanigan's Ball Top of page THE LARK IN THE CLEAR AIR Dear thoughts are in my mind And my soul soars enchanted As I hear the sweet lark sing In the clear air of the day For a tender beaming smile To my hope has been granted And tomorrow she shall hear All my fond heart would say I shall tell her all my love And my soul's adoration And I think she will hear me And will not say me nay It is this that gives my soul All its joyous elation As I hear the sweet lark sing In the clear air of the day Top of page LARK IN THE MORNING The lark in the morning she arises from her nest And she ascends all in the air with the dew upon her breast And with the pretty ploughboy she'll whistle and she'll sing And at night she'll return to her own nest again When his day's work is over, oh what then will he do Perhaps then into some country wake he'll go And with his pretty sweetheart, he'll dance and he'll sing And at night he'll return with his love back again And as they returned from the wake unto the town The meadows they are mowed and the grass it is cut down The nightingale she whistles upon the hawthorn spray And the moon it is a shining upon the new mown hay Good luck unto the ploughboys wherever they may be They will take a winsome lass for to sit upon their knee And with a jug of beer boys, they'll whistle and they'll sing And the ploughboy is as happy as a prince or a king Top of page THE LASS OF AUGHRIM If you'll be the lass of Aughrim As I am taking you mean to be Tell me the first token That passed between you and me O don't you remember That night on yon lean hill When we both met together Which I am sorry now to tell The rain falls on my yellow locks And the dew it wets my skin; My babe lies cold within my arms; Lord Gregory, let me in Top of page THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL (1) Farewell to you, my own true love I am going far away I am bound for California But I know that I'll return some day Chorus: So fare thee well, my own true love And when I return, united we will be It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me But my darling, when I think of thee I have shipped on a Yankee sailing ship Davy Crockett is her name And Burgess is the captain of her And they say she is a floating hell Chorus Oh the sun is on the harbor love And I wish I could remain For I know it will be some long time before I see you again Chorus Top of page THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL (2) Farewell to Prince's Landing Stage River Mersey, fare thee well I am bound for California A place I know right well Chorus: So fare thee well, my own true love When I return united we will be It's not the leaving of Liverpool that's grieving me But my darling when I think of thee I'm bound off for California By the way of stormy Cape Horn And I'm bound to write you a letter, love When I am homeward bound I have signed on a Yankee Clipper ship Davy Crockett is her name And Burgess is the Captain of her And they say she's a floating Hell I have shipped with Burgess once before And I think I know him well If a man's a seaman, he can get along If not, then he's sure in Hell Farewell to lower Frederick Street Ensign Terrace and Park Lane For I think it will be a long, long time Before I see you again Oh the sun is on the harbor, love And I wish I could remain For I know it will be a long, long time Till I see you again Top of page THE LEGION OF THE REARGUARD Up the Republic, they raise their battle cry Pearse and McDermott will pray for you on high Eager and ready, for love of you they die Proud march the soldiers of the Rearguard Chorus: Legion of the Rearguard, answering Ireland's call Hark their martial tramp is heard from Cork to Donegal Wolfe Tone and Emmett guide you, though your task be hard De Valera leads you, soldiers of the Legion of the Rearguard Glorious the morning, through flame and shot and shell Now rally Ireland, your sons who love you well Pledged, they'll defend you, through death or prison cell Wait for the soldiers of the Rearguard Chorus Crimson the roadside, the prison wall, the cave Proof of their valour, go sleep in peace ye brave Comrade tread lightly, you're near a hero's grave Proud die the soldiers of the Rearguard Top of page LIMERICK YOU'RE A LADY Chorus: Limerick you're a lady your Shannon waters tears of joy that flow The beauty that surrounds you Ill take it with me love where-e'er I go While waking in the arms of distant waters a new day finds me far away from home And Limerick you're my lady the one true love that I have ever known As children you and I spent endless days of fun In winter's snow or summer's golden sun We fished in silver streams, the fabric of our dreams Was fashioned by your loveliness and so I have to say: The difference time has made, to travellers on their way Seeking out the beauty of our lands At shrines the children play, and bells ring out to say Thank God we're living just to feel the freedom of each day While walking in the arms of distant waters A new day finds me far away from home Top of page LITTLE GREY HOME IN THE WEST [Written in 1911] When the golden sun sinks in the west And the toil of a long day is o'er Though the road may be long, in the lilt of a song I forgot I was weary before Far ahead, where the blue shadows fall I shall come to contentment and rest And the toils of the day will be charmed away In my little grey home of the west There are hands that will welcome me in There are lips I am burning to kiss There are two eyes that shine just bacause they are mine And a thousand things other men miss It's a corner of heaven itself Though it's only a tumble-down nest But with love brooding there, why no place can compare With my little grey home in the west Top of page LORD NELSON (Tommy Makem, 1967) [Most of The Nelson Pillar was blown up by private (unknown) initiative in 1966. One week later the ugly remains of the monument were removed by the army, they too had to use explosives.] Lord Nelson stood in pompous state, upon his pillar high And down along O'Connell Street he cast a wicked eye He thought how this barbaric race had fought the British Crown Yet they were content to let him stay right there in Dublin town! Chorus: So remember Brave Lord Nelson, boys, He has never known defeat And for his reward they stuck him up In the middle of O'Connell Street! For many years, Lord Nelson stood, and no one seemed to care He would squint at Dan O'Connell who was standin right down there He thought the Irish love me or they wouldnt let me stay All except that band of blighters that they call the IRA! And then in nineteen sixty six, on March the seventh day, A bloody great explosion made Lord Nelson rock and sway! He crashed, and Dan O'Connell cried, in woeful misery Now twice as many pigeons will come and shit on me! Final chorus: So remember brave Lord Nelson, boys, He has never known defeat! And for his reward they blew him up In the middle of O'Connell Street! Top of page LORD OF THE DANCE I danced in the morning when the world was begun I danced in the moon, the stars and the sun I danced down from Heaven and I danced on Earth At Bethlehem I had my birth Chorus: Dance, then, wherever you may be I am the Lord of the Dance, said He And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be And I'll lead you all in the dance, said He I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee They would not dance; they would not follow me So I danced for the fisherman, for James and John They came with me and the dance went on I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame They holy people said it was a shame So they whipped, they stripped, they hung me high And they left me on the cross to die I danced on a Friday, when the sky turned black It's hard to dance with the Devil on your back Oh they buried my body, they thought I'd gone But I and the dance still go on They cut me down, but I lept on high I am the light that will never, never die But I'll live in you if you'll live in me I am the Lord of the Dance, said He -------------------------------------------------------------- Top of page