Irish songs and traditional music
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Top of page PADDY McGINTY'S GOAT Patrick McGinty, an Irishman of note Came into a fortune, so bought himself a goat Said he, "Sure, of goat's milk I mean to have my fill!" But when he got his Nanny home, he found it was a Bill And now all the ladies who live in Killaloo Are all wearing bustles like their mothers used to do They each wear a bolster beneath the petticoat And leave the rest to Providence and Paddy McGinty's goat! Missis Burke to her daughter said, "Listen, Mary Jane, Now who was the man you were cuddling in the lane? He'd long wiry whiskers all hanging from his chin" "Twas only Pat McGinty's goat, " she answer'd with a grin Then she went away from the village in disgrace She came back with powder and paint upon her face She'd rings on her fingers, and she wore a sable coat You bet your life they never came from Paddy McGinty's goat Little Norah McCarthy the knot was going to tie She washed all her trousseau and hung it out to dry Then up came the goat and he saw the bits of white: He chewed up all her falderals, and on her wedding night: "Oh turn out the gas quick!" she shouted out to Pat For though l'm your bride, sure l'm not worth looking at I'd got two of ev'rything, I told you when I wrote But now I've one of nothing, all thro' Paddy McGinty's goat' Mickey Riley he went to the races t'other day He won twenty dollars and shouted, "Hip Hooray!!" He held up the note, shouting "Look what I've got!" The goat came up and grabbed at it and swallowed all the lot "He's eaten my banknote," said Mickey, with the hump They ran for the doctor, he brought a stomach pump He pumped and he pumped for that twenty dollar note But all he got was ninepence out of Paddy McGinty's goat Top of page PADDY'S GREEN SHAMROCK SHORE (1) (Words & music trad.) From Derry quay we sailed away On the 23rd of May We were taken on board by a pleasant crew Bound for Americay Fresh water there we did take on Five thousand gallons or more In case we'd run short going to New York Far away from the Shamrock shore So fare thee well, sweet Lisa dear And likewise to Derry town And twice farewell to my comrades bold Who still dwell on that sainted ground If ever fortune will favour me And I do have money in store I will come back and wed the sweet lassie I left On Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore We sailed three days, we were all seasick And no-one on board was free We were all confined unto our bunks With no one to pity poor me No fond mother dear, no father kind To comfort my head went to sore This made me think more on the wee girl I left On Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore We savely reached the other side In fifteen and twenty days We were taken as passengers by a man And led round in six different ways So each of us drunk a parting glas In case that we never meet more And we bade farewell to old Ireland And Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore So fare thee well, sweet Lisa dear And likewise to Derry town And twice farewell to my comrades bold Who still dwell on that sainted ground If fame or fortune will favour me And I do have money in store I'll go back and I'll wed the wee lassy I left On Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore Top of page PADDY'S GREEN SHAMROCK SHORE (2) Oh fare-thee-well, Ireland, my own dear native land It breaks my heart to see friends part, for it's then that the teardrops fall; I'm on my way to Amerikay, will I e'er see my home once more? For now I leave my own true love on Paddy's green shamrock shore Our ship she lies at anchor, she's standing by the quay May fortune bright shine down each night, as we sail over the sea Many ships were lost, many lives it cost on the journey that lies before With a tear in my eye I'm bidding good-bye to Paddy's Green shamrock shore So fare thee well my own true love, I'll think of you night and day And a place in my mind you surely will find, although I am so far away Though I'll be alone far away from my home, I'll think of the good times once more Until the day I can make my way back to Paddy's green shamrock shore And now the ship is on the waves may heaven protect us all With the wind in the sail we surely can't fail on this voyage to Baltimore But my parents and friends did wait till the end, till I could see them no more I then took a chance for to glance at Paddy's green shamrock shore Top of page PADDY'S GREEN SHAMROCK SHORE (3) Oh fare thee well to Ireland, my own dear native land It breaks my heart to see friends part, for it's then that the tear drops fall I'm on my way to Amerikay, will I ever see home once more For now I leave my own true love, and Paddy's green shamrock shore From Londonderry we did sail, it being the fourth of May Pleasant weather I'm sure we had, going to Amerikay Fresh water then we did take in, one hundred tons or more For fear we'd be short on the other side, far from the shamrock shore Two of our anchors we did weigh, before we left the quay Down the river we were towed, till we came to Botany Bay We saw that night the grandest night, we ever saw before The sun going down 'tween sea and sky, far from the shamrock shore Early next morning we were sea-sick all, not one of us was free I myself was confined to bed, with no one to pity me No father or no mother, to raise my head when sore That made me think of the friends I left, on the lonely shamrock shore We landed safely in New York, after four and twenty days Each comrade by the hand we took, and we marched through different ways Each one drank a flowing glass, as we might meet no more With flowing bumpers we drank a health, to the lonely shamrock shore Top of page PADDY'S LAMENTATION Well it's by the hush me boys and sure that's to hold your noise Listen to poor Paddy's sad narration Well I was by hunger pressed and in poverty distressed So I took a thought, I'd leave the Irish nation Well I sold me horse and cow, me little pig and sow Me little plot of land I sold to part with And me sweetheart Bid McGee, I'm afraid I'll never see For I left her there that morning broken-hearted Chorus: Here's you boys, now take my advice To America I'll have you not be comming There is nothing here but war Where the murdering cannons roar And I wish I was at home in dear old Dublin Well, meself and a hundred more to Americay sailed o'er Our fortune to be made, oh we were thinking When we got to Yankee-land, they shoved a gun into our hands Saying "Paddy, you must go and fight for Lincoln" Chorus General Meaghar to us he said "If you get shot or lose your head Each murdering son of yours will get a pension" Well, myself I lost me leg, they gave me a wooden peg And by God this is the truth to you I mention Chorus When I think myself in luck, I get fed on Indian buck And Ireland is the country I delight in With the devil I did say, it's curse Americay For I think I've had enough of your hard fighting Chorus Top of page PADRAIG PEARSE In Dublin town in nineteen sixteen a flame of freedom did arise A group of men with determination caught an empire by surprise Through the streets our men were marching They rallied with their hopes and fears And the End the boys came searching for their leader Padraig Pearse Chorus: The poet and the Irish rebel a Gaelic scholar and a visionary We gave to him no fitting tribute When Ireland's at peace only that can be When Ireland a nation, united and free On Easter morn he faced the nation from the steps of the G.P.O And read aloud the proclamation, the seed of nationhood to sow But soon the word had spread to London of an insurrection there at hand And the deeds of Padraic Pearse was set about to free his land For five long days the battle rages, for five long nights the battle wore We will watch as Dublin City blazes and see our men fall through the floor No Ireland's proud of her effort for her cause we fought with pride But to save more life and to save our city, we make our peace with McFainis cried Kilmainham Jail in 1916, they brought young Pearse to his death cell and they tried him as a traitor to shoot this man who dared to rebel He only tried to free his country of the shackles of 800 years When dawn did break on that May morning they shot our Leader Padraic Pearse Top of page THE PARTING GLASS O, all the money e'er I had I spent it in good company And all the harm that ever I've done alas it was to none but me And all I've done for want of wit to mem'ry now I can't recall So fill to me the parting glass Good night and joy be with you all O, all the comrades e'er I had They're sorry for my going away And all the sweethearts e'er I had They'd wished me one more day to stay But since it falls unto my lot That I should rise and you should not I gently rise and softly call Goodnight and joy be with you all If I had money enough to spend And leisure time to sit awhile There is a fair maid in this town That sorely has my heart beguiled Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips I own, she has my heart in thrall Then fill to me the parting glass Good night and joy be with you all Top of page PATRICK STREET You sailor lads, come lend an ear, and listen to me song it's of a trick 'twas played on me, and won't detain you long: I came home from see the other day and a girl I chanced to meet and she's asked me up along with her to dance in Patrick Street Well says I "me pretty fair maid, I cannot dance too well besides I'm bound for Newry town where my parents they do dwell I've been at sea these last few years and I've saved up fifty pounds and me parents are expecting me, tonight in Newry town" "Well since you cannot dance too well then you shall have a treat: You can have a glass of brandy, and something nice to eat At nine o'clock this evening I'll lead you to your train but don't forget to call on me when you come back again" Well she seemed to be so friendly, I went and hired a car We both went down to Patrick Street and on arrival there some people on the other side, I thought I heard them say "He'll sure be in need of a jaunting car, before he gets away" We had not been long in the room when whiskey it came in and when everyone had had their fill, the dancing did begin Me and me love we danced around all to a merry tune while the other couples did the double-shuffle 'round the room And when dancin' it was over, for bed we did prepare - and after that, I fell asleep - the Truth I do declare me darling and me fifty pounds - me gold'n'all had fled! And there was I meself alone stark naked lying in bed! In gazing all around me nothing could I spy but a woman's skirt and jumper at the foot of the bed did lie I wrung me hands and tore me hair cryin' "Oh what will I do? Oh fare the well sweet Newry town, I'm sure I'll ne'er see you!" When night-time it had come again and daylight was away I put on the skirt and jumper and I set off for the quay and when I got on board the ship the sailors all did say "Oh Jack has grown much prettier since last she went away! And is this the new spring fashion that you went to buy on shore? And where's the shop that sells them, d'you think they may have more?" The captain says "Now Jack, I thought you were for Newry town; you might have bought a better suit than that for fifty pounds!" Well I might have bought a better suit if I had had the chance I met a girl in High Street and she's asked me to a dance I danced me own destruction and I've done it so complete that I swear I'll never go back again to dance in Patrick Street" Come all of you young sailor lads, a warning take by me And always keep good company when you go on a spree Be sure'n stay clear of Patrick Street or else you'll rue the day In a woman's skirt and jumper they will ship you back to sea! Top of page THE PATRIOT GAME (Dominic Behan) Come all ye young rebels, and list while I sing For the love of one's country is a terrible thing It banishes fear with the speed of a flame And it makes us all part of the patriot game My name is O'Hanlon, and I've just turned sixteen My home is in Monaghan, and where I was weaned I learned all my life cruel England's to blame So now I am part of the patriot game It's nearly two years since I wandered away With the local battalion of the bold IRA I learned of our heroes, and wanted the same To play my own part of the Patriot game This island of ours has too long been half free Six counties lie under John Bull's tyranny So I gave up my boyhood to drill and to train And that made me a part of the Patriot game They told me how Connolly was shot in his chair His wounds from the fighting all bloody and bare His fine body twisted, all battered and lame They soon made me part of the patriot game But now as I lie here, my body all holes I think of those traitors who bargained in souls And I wish that my rifle had given the same To those Quislings who sold out the patriot game Top of page PEGGY GORDON Oh, Peggy Gordon, you are my darling Come sit you down upon my knee And tell me the very reason Why I am slighted so by thee I'm so in love that I can't deny it My heart lies smothered in my breast But it's not for you to let the world know it A troubled mind can know no rest I put my head to a glass of brandy It was fancy I do declare For when I'm drinkin', I'm always thinkin' And wishing Peggy Gordon was here I wish I was in some lonesome valley Where womankind cannot be found Where the little birds sing upon the branches And every moment a different sound I wish I was away in Ingo Far away across the briny sea Sailing over deepest waters Where love nor care never trouble me Top of page PEGGY LETTERMORE (1, Gaelic) Chorus: 'S o gairm gaoirm i, is gairim i mo stor Mile ghra le m' ainm i 'si Peigin Leitir Moir Ta Brid agam, ta Cait agam, 'si Peig an bhean is fearr Cibe fear a gheobhfas i, nach air a bheas an t-adh Chuir me sceala siar aici go ceannoinn di bad mor 'Se an sceal a chuir si aniar agam go ndeanfadh leathbhad seoil Is ta iascairi na Gaillimhe ag teacht aniar le coir Le solas gealai gile no go bhfeicfidis an tseoid Eirigh suas a Pheigin agus seas ar bharr an aird Comhairigh do chuid bullain agus feach an bhfuil siad ann Top of page PEGGY LETTERMORE (2, English) Chorus: O welcome and acclaimed is she, my love! Dear to my soul, a thousand told, is Peggy Lettermore Rise up, dear Peggy and stand up on the height count all your cattle, and make sure they're all there I have Brid and I have Kate but Peggy is the best of all whichever man wins her hand, a lucky man he will be I sent a message west to her, that I would buy a large boat She sent a message back to me that a medium sized sailing boat would do The Galway fishermen are sailing from the eastwith a fair wind with the light of a bright moon in order to see the "jewel." Top of page THE PEOPLES OWN M.P. How many more must die now, how many must we lose Until the Island people, their own destiny can choose From immortal Robert Emmet, to Bobby Sands MP Who was given 30,000 votes while in captivity No more he'll hear the larks sweet notes, upon the Ulster air Or gaze upon the snowflakes pure, for to calm his deep despair Oh before he went on hunger strike, young Bobby did compose The Rhythm of Time, the Weeping Wind, and the Sleeping Rose Chorus: He was a poet and a soldier, he died courageously And we gave him 30,000 votes while in captivity Thomas Ashe, he gave everything, in 1917 The lord mayor of Cork McSweeney died, his freedom to obtain Never one of all our dead died more courageously Than young Bobby Sands from Twinbrook, the peoples own MP Chorus Forever we'll remember him, the man who died in pain That his country North & South might be united once again To mourn him is to organise, and build a movement strong With ballot box and armalite, with music and with song Chorus Top of page PICK UP YOUR RIFLE In 1916, in the year of our Lord Fighting came to Ireland like it never had before For freedom comes to those who fight for its day So I picked up my rifle and joined the IRA A free and united Ireland was our only desire And the best of the British Army couldn't put out that fire But a deal with the devil was soon put forth Freedom for the South and nothing for the North Well this didn't seem really right with me For Ireland is one from sea to sea And the IRA said our job's not done So off to the North I went with my gun We fought in the fields, we fought in the streets And the English knew we couldn't be beat We fought with rifles, we fought with rocks And sent many a soldier home in a box The fight has been long and many have fell And we weep for the rebels who starved alone in a cell For the price of our freedom is paid with blood of those IRA men who have died in the mud Is life so sweet or is peace so dear? That the weight of chains are easy to bear For freedom comes to those who fight for its day So pick up your rifle and join the IRA Top of page POOR PADDY ON THE RAILWAY In eighteen hundred and forty one My corduroy breeches I put on My corduroy breeches I put on To work upon the railway The railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty two From Hartlepool I moved to Grove And found myself a job to do Working on the railway I was wearing Corduroy breeches Digging ditches Pulling switches Dodging hitchers I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty three I broke me shuffle across me knee I went to work for the company And leave me seldom railway I was wearing Corduroy breeches Digging ditches Pulling switches Dodging hitchers I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty four I landed on the Liverpool shore Me belly was empty me hands were raw With working on the railway The railway Im weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty five When Daniel OConnell he was alive And Daniel OConnell he was alive And working on the railway I was wearing Corduroy breeches Digging ditches Pulling switches Dodging hitchers I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty six I changed me trade from carrying bricks Changed me trade from carrying bricks To working on the railway I was wearing Corduroy breeches Digging ditches Pulling switches Dodging hitchers I was working on the railway In eighteen hundred and forty seven Poor Paddy was thinking of going to Heaven Poor Paddy was thinking of going to Heaven To work upon the railway The railway I'm weary of the railway Poor Paddy works on the railway I was wearing Corduroy breeches Digging ditches Pulling switches Dodging hitchers I was working on the railway Top of page PREAB SAN OL Why spend your leisure bereft of pleasure A massing treasure why scrape and save? Why look so canny at ev'ry penny? You'll take no money within the grave Landlords and gentry with all their plenty Must still go empty where 're they're bound So to my thinking we'd best be drinking Our glasses clinking and round and round King Solomon's glory, so famed in story Was far outshone by the lilies guise But hard winds harden both field and garden Pleading for pardon, the lily dies Life's but a bauble of toil and trouble The feathered arrow, once shot ne'er found So, lads and lasses, because life passes Come fill your glasses for another round The huckster greedy, he blinds the needy Their strifes unheeding, shouts "Money down!" His special vices, his fancy prices For a florin value he'll charge a crown With hump for tramel, the scripture's camel Missed the needle's eye and so came to ground Why pine for riches, while still you've stitches To hold your britches up? Another round! Top of page PRETTY LITTLE GIRL FROM OMAGH Way up in the north of Tyrone There's a pretty little girl I called my own The sweetest rose Ireland ever known And it's true as the moon and stars above I falling head over heels in love with the pretty little girl from Omagh In the county of Tyrone There's cut little girls in old Strabane There's just as pretty in Monaghan Same as any other place I've known But I guess that I've be out of bounds(?) For there between those northern town Is the pretty little girl from Omagh In the county of Tyrone She wears my ring and tells her friend She's gonna marry me And best of all, she tells them all She happy as can be, oh, lucky me, well I don't know what she done to me There's nothing else my eyes can see But the pretty little girl from Omagh In the county of Tyrone Way down in the south of old Tyrone I recall that yellow dress she wore As she stood there on the shore there all alone And I know it was my lucky day She came there on holiday The pretty little girl from Omagh In the county from Tyrone There's cut little girls in old Strabane There's just as pretty in Monaghan Same as any other place I've known But I guess that I've be out of bounds(?) For there between those northern town Is the pretty little girl from Omagh In the county of Tyrone She wears my ring and tells her friend She's gonna marry me And best of all, she tells them all She happy as can be, oh, lucky me, well I don't know what she done to me There's nothing else my eyes can see But the pretty little girl from Omagh In the county of Tyrone Top of page QUEEN OF CONNEMARA Oh! My boat can safely float in the teeth of wind and weather And outrace the fastest hooker between Galway and Kinsale When the black floor of the ocean and the white foam rush together High she rides, in her pride, like a sea-gull through the gale Chorus Oh she's neat! Oh she's sweet! She's a beauty in ev'ry line! The Queen of Connemara is that bounding barque of mine When she's loaded down with fish till the water lips the gunwale Not a drop she'll take on board her that would wash a fly away; From the fleet she'll slip out swiftly like a greyhound from her kennel And she'll land her silver store the first at ould Kinvara quay There's a light shines out afar, and it keeps me from dismaying When the skies are ink above us and the sea runs white with foam In a cot in Connemara there's a wife and wee one praying To the One who walked the waters once, to send us safely home Top of page RAGLAN ROAD [written by Patrick Kavanagh, 1946 This song was recorded and popularized by the great Luke Kelly of the Dubliners in the 1960s. The words, written by Paddy Kavanagh, were set to the traditional air 'Fainne Gael an Lae' (The Dawning of the Day). This poem was first published in 1946 under the name 'Dark haired Myriam ran away'.] On Raglan Road of an Autumn day I saw her first and knew That her dark hair would weave a snare That I might someday rue I saw the danger and I passed Along the enchanted way And I said, "Let grief be a fallen leaf At the dawning of the day" On Grafton Street in November, we Tripped lightly along the ledge Of a deep ravine where can be seen The worth of passion play The Queen of Hearts still making tarts And I not making hay Oh, I loved too much and by such and such Is happiness thrown away I gave her gifts of the mind I gave her the secret signs That's known to the artists who have known The true gods of sound and stone And her words and tint without stint I gave her poems to say With her own name there and her own dark hair Like clouds over fields of May On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking now And away from me so hurriedly My reason must allow That I had loved, not as I should A creature made of clay When the angel woos the clay, he'll lose His wings at the dawn of day Top of page THE RARE OUL' TIMES Based on songs and stories, heroes of renown Are the passing tales and glories, that once was Dublin town The hallowed halls and houses, the haunting children's rhymes That once was Dublin city in the rare old times Chorus: Ring a-ring a-Rosie, as the light declines I remember Dublin city in the rare oul' times My name it is Sean Dempsey, as Dublin as can be Born hard and late in Pimlico, in a house that ceased to be By trade I was a cooper, lost out to redundancy Like my house that fell to progress, my trade's a memory And I courted Peggy Dignan, as pretty as you please A rogue and child of Mary, from the rebel Liberties I lost her to a student chap, with skin as black as coal When he took her off to Birmingham, she took away my soul The years have made me bitter, tha gargle dims my brain 'cause Dublin keeps on changing, and nothing seems the same The Pillar and the Met have gone, the Royal long since pulled down As the great unyielding concrete, makes a city of my town Fare thee fell sweet Anna Liffey, I can no longer stay And watch the new glass cages, that spring up along the Quay My mind's too full of memories, too old to hear new chimes I'm part of what was Dublin, in the rare old times Chorus: Ring a-ring a-Rosie, as the light declines I remember Dublin city in the rare oul' times Top of page RED IS THE ROSE Come over the hills, my bonnie Irish lass Come over the hills to your darling You choose the rose, love, and I'll make the vow And I'll be your true love forever Chorus: Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows Fair is the lily of the valley Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne But my love is fairer than any 'Twas down by Killarney's green woods that we strayed When the moon and the stars they were shining The moon shone its rays on her locks of golden hair And she swore she'd be my love forever Chorus It's not for the parting that my sister pains It's not for the grief of my mother 'Tis all for the loss of my bonny Irish lass That my heart is breaking forever Chorus Top of page REILLY'S DAUGHTER (1) As I was sitting by the fire Eating spuds and drinking porter Suddenly a thought came into my mind I'd like to marry old Reilly's daughter Chorus: Giddy i-ae Giddy i-ae Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly Giddy i-ae (bang bang bang) Play it on your old bass drum Reilly played on the big bass drum Reilly had a mind for murder and slaughter Reilly had a bright red glittering eye And he kept that eye on his lovely daughter Chorus Her hair was black and her eyes were blue The colonel and the major and the captain sought her The sergeant and the private and the drummer boy too But they never had a chance with Reilly's daughter Chorus I got me a ring and a parson too Got me a scratch in a married quarter Settled me down to a peaceful life Happy as a king with Reilly's daughter Chorus Suddenly a footstep on the stairs Who should it be but Reilly out for slaughter With two pistols in his hands Looking for the man who had married his daughter Chorus I caught old Reilly by the hair Rammed his head in a pail of water Fired his pistols into the air A damned sight quicker than I married his daughter Chorus Top of page REILLY'S DAUGHTER (2) As I was sitting by the fire Talking to O'Reilly's daughter Suddenly a thought came into my head I'd like to marry O'Reilly's daughter Chorus: Giddy-i-ay, giddy-i-ay, giddy-i-ay For the one eyed Reilly Giddy-i-ay (*clap *clap *clap) Bang it on yer oul' bass drum Reilly played on the big bass drum Reilly had a mind for murder and slaughter Reilly had a bright red glittering eye And he kept that eye on his lovely daughter Her hair was black and her eyes were blue The colonel & the major & the captain sought her The sergeant & the private & the drummer boy too But they never had a chance with Reilly's daughter I got me a ring & parson too Got me a scratch in a married quarter Settled me down to a peaceful life Happy as a king with Reilly's daughter Suddenly a foot step on the stair Who whould it be but Reilly out for slaughter With two pistols in his hands Looking for the man who had married his daughter I caught Old Reilly by the hair Rammed his head in a pail of water Fired his pistols in the air A damned sight quicker than I married his daughter Top of page THE RELUCTANT PATRIOT "Oh Paddy dear, and did hear the awful things they say? Princess Margret and Lord Snowden, they have joined the IRA They are drilling in the mountains to the sounds of fife and drum Young Tony's taking snapshots while young Maggie fires the gun!" While young Maggie fires the gun, while young Maggie fires the gun Young Tony's taking snapshots while young Maggie fires the gun When the news reached Mother England filled the good queen with delight She reared upon Prince Phillip in the middle of the night Said she, "Get you your Rolls-Royce out, and get you ready quick and soon For we must reach dear ould Ireland by the rising of the moon!" By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon For we must reach dear ould Ireland by the rising of the moon When the news reached Dublin Castle De Valera danced for joy "Ah said he, "That Jones De camera, he's a decent Irish boy And the dear one Princess Margret, that Ireland's sweet colleen I knew her uncle very well, he came from Skibbereen" He came from Skibbereen, he came from Skibbereen I knew her uncle very well, he came from Skibbereen "Oh then Paddy dear and did you hear there's trouble in the land For the Queen and De Valera are walking hand in hand And the most disgraceful thing me boys, that you have ever seen Was Prince Pillip playing polo on an ass in Stephen's Green On an ass in Stephen's Green, on an ass in Stephen's Green Prince Phillip's playing polo on an ass in Stephen's Green Rule Britannia! The leader of our gang! Five Chinese crackers up your bum Go bang bang bang bang bang! Top of page THE RIFLES OF THE I.R.A. In nineteen hundred and sixteen The forces of the crown For to take Orange, White, and Green Bombarded Dublin Town But in '21, Britannia's sons Were forced earn their pay, when The black and tans, like lightening ran From the Rifles of the IRA! They burned their way through Munster Then laid Leinster on the rack Through Connacht, and through Ulster Marched the men in brown and black They shot down wives and children In their own heroic way, but The black and tans, like lightening ran From the Rifles of the IRA! They hanged young Kevin Barry high Just a lad of eighteen years Cork City's flames lit up in the sky But our brave lads new no fear The Cork brigade with hand-grenades In ambush wait and lay, and The black and tans, like lightening ran From the Rifles of the IRA! The tans were got, taken out and shot By a brave and valiant few Sean Treacy, Dinny Lacey And Tom Barry's gallant crew Though we're not free yet We won't forget Until our dying day, how The black and tans, like lightening ran From the Rifles of the IRA! Top of page THE RISING OF THE MOON (1) "Oh then tell me, Sean O'Farrell, tell me why you hurry so?" "Hush me bouchal, hush and listen," and his face was all aglow "I bear orders from the captain, get you ready quick and soon With your pike upon your shoulder for the rising of the moon" "Oh then tell me, Sean O'Farrell, where the gatherin' is to be?" "Near the old spot by the river, right well known to you and me One more word, for signal token whistle up the marching tune For our pikes must be together by the rising of the moon" Out from many a mud-walled cabin, eyes were lookin' through the night Many a manly heart was throbin' for the blessed morning light Murmurs ran along the valley like some banshee's mournful croon And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon All along the shining river one black mass of men was seen And above their shining weapons hung their own beloved green Death to every foe and traitor! Forward, strike the marching tune And hurrah me boys for freedom, it's the rising of the moon Well they fought for dear old Ireland, and full bitter was their fate Oh what glorious pride and sorrow fills the name of ninety-eight But thank God e'en now are beating hearts in mankind's burning noon Who will follow in their footsteps, at the rising of the moon Top of page THE RISING OF THE MOON (2) "O then, tell me Sean O'Farrell, tell me why you hurry so" "Hush, me Bouchall, hush and listen," and his cheeks were all aglow I bear orders from the captain get you ready quick and soon For the pikes must be together at the risin' of the moon Chorus: At the rising of the moon, oh the rising of the moon For the pikes must be together at the rising of the moon "O then, tell me Sean O'Farrell, where the gath'rin' is to be" In the old spot by the river, right well known to you and me One more word for signal token, whistle up the marchin' tune With your pike upon your shoulder, by the rising of the moon" Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching through that night Many a manly heart was throbbing for the blessed warning light Murmurs passed along the valleys, like the banshee's lonely croon And a thousand blades were flashing at the rising of the moon There beside the singing river, that dark mass of men were seen Far above the shining weapons hung their own beloved green Death to every foe and traitor, forward, strike the marching tune And hurrah, my boys, for freedom, tis the rising of the moon Well, they fought for poor old Ireland, and full bitter was their fate Oh what glorious pride and sorrow fills the name of ninety eight Yes, thank God, e'en still are beating hearts in manhood's burning noon Who would follow in their footsteps at the rising of the moon Top of page ROADS OF KILDARE Johnny was born in a mansion down in the county of Clare Rosie was born by a roadside somewhere in County Kildare Destiny brought them together on the road to Killorglan one day Neath her bright paisley shawl she was singing And she stole his young heart away for she sang.. Chorus: Meet me tonight by the campfire,come with me over the hill Let us be married tomorrow, please let me whisper 'I will' What if the neighbours are talking, who cares if your friends stop and stare You'll be proud to be married to Rosie, who was reared on the roads of Kildare Think of the parents who reared you, think of the family name How can you marry a gypsy, Oh what a terrible shame Parents and friends stop your pleading, don't worry about my affair For I've fallen in love with a gypsy, who was reared on the roads of Kildare Johnny went down from his mansion, just as the sun had gone down Turning his back on his kinfolk, likewise his dear native town Facing the roads of old Ireland with a gypsy he loved so sincere When he came to the light of the campfire, these are the words he did hear: Top of page ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN In the merry month of May from my home I started Left the girls of Tuam - nearly broken-hearted Saluted Father dear, kissed my darlin' Mother Drank a pint of beer my grief and tears to smother Then off to reap the corn, and leave where I was born I cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins In a bran' new pair of brogues I rattled o'er the bogs And frightened all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin Chorus: One, two, three, four five, hunt the hare and turn her Down the rocky road, and all the ways to Dublin Whack fol-lol-de-ra In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary Started by daylight next morning light and airy Took a drop of the pure, to keep my heart from sinking That's an Irishman's cure, whene'er he's on for drinking To see the lasses smile, laughing all the while At my curious style, 'twould set your heart a-bubbling They ax'd if I was hired, the wages I required Till I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city Then I took a stroll out among the quality My bundle it was stole in a neat locality Something crossed my mind, then I looked behind No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin' Enquiring for the rogue, they said my Connacht brogue Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin From there I got away my spirits never failing Landed on the quay as the ship was sailing Captain at me roared, said that no room had he When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy Down among the pigs, I played some funny rigs Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubblin' When off to Holyhead I wished myself was dead Or better far, instead, on the rocky road to Dublin The boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed Called myself a fool, I could no longer stand it Blood began to boil, temper I was losin' Poor old Erin's isle they began abusin' "Hurrah my soul!" sez I, my shillelagh I let fly Some Galway boys were by, saw I was a hobble in Then with a loud Hurrah, they joined in the affray We quickly cleared the way, for the rocky road to Dublin Top of page RODDY McCORLEY (Ethna Carberry) Oh, see the fleet-foot hosts of men who speed with faces wan From farmstead and from thresher's cot along the banks of the Bann They come with vengeance in their eyes too late, too late are they For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today Up the narrow streets he stepped smiling proud and young About the hemp rope around his neck his golden ringlets clung Oh, there is never a tear in his blue eyes both sad and bright are they As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today When he last stepped up that street his shining pike in hand Behind him marched in grim array a stalwart earnest band For Antrim town, for Antrim town, he led them to the fray As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today There is never a one of all your dead, more bravely fell in fray Than he who marches to his fate on the Bridge of Tomb today True to the last! True to the last! He treads the upward way As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today Top of page RÓISIN DUBH A Róisín, ná bíodh brón ort ná chás anois tá do phárdún ó'n Róimh agus ó'n bPápa agat tá na bráithre ag teacht thar sáile agus ag tríall thar muir 'S ni ceilfear fíon Spáinneach ar mo Róisín Dubh Tá grá agam i mo lár dhuit le blíain anois grá cráite, grá cásmhar, grá ciapaithe grá a d'fhág mé gan sláinte, gan rían, gan ruith is go bráth, bráth, gan aon fháil a leagadh ar mo Róisín Dubh Beidh an Éirne ina tuilte dearga 's an spéir 'na fuil beidh an saol ina choghadh craorach is réadfar chnoic beidh gach gleann sléibhe ar fuid Éireann agus móinte ar crith, la eigin sula n-eagfaidh mo Róisín Dubh Top of page THE ROSE OF MOONCOIN How sweet is to roam by the sunny Shure stream And hear the doves coo 'neath the morning sunbeam Where the thrush and the robin their sweet notes entwine On the banks of the Shure that flows down by Mooncoin Flow on, lovely river, flow gently along By your waters so sweet sounds the lark's merry song On your green banks I wander where first I did join With you, lovely Molly, the rose of Mooncoin Oh Molly, dear Molly, it breaks my fond heart To know that we two forever must part I'll think of you Molly while sun and moon shine On the banks of the Shure that flows down by Mooncoin Then here's to the Shure with its valley so fair As oftimes we wandered in the cool morning air Where the roses are blooming and lilies entwine On the banks of the Shure that flows down by Mooncoin Flow on, lovely river, flow gently along By your waters so sweet sounds the lark's merry song On your green banks I wander where first I did join With you, lovely Molly, the rose of Mooncoin Top of page THE ROSE OF TRALEE The pale moon was rising above the green mountain The sun was declining beneath the blue sea When I strayed with my love to the pure crystal fountain That stands in beautiful vale of Tralee She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer Yet, 'twas not her beauty alone that won me Oh no! 'Twas the the truth in her eye ever beaming That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading And Mary all smiling was listening to me The moon through the valley her pale rays was shedding When I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee Though lovely and fair as the rose of the summer Yet, 'twas not her beauty alone that won me Oh no! 'Twas the the truth in her eye ever beaming That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee Top of page ROSIN THE BEAU I've traveled all over this world And now to another I go And I know that good quarters are waiting To welcome old Rosin the Beau To welcome old Rosin the Beau To welcome old Rosin the Beau And I know that good quarters are waiting To welcome old Rosin the Beau When I'm dead and laid out on the counter A voice you will hear from below Saying "Send down a hogshead of whiskey To drink with old Rosin the Beau To drink with old Rosin the Beau To drink with old Rosin the Beau Saying "Send down a hogshead of whiskey To drink with old Rosin the Beau" Then get a half dozen stout fellows And stack them all up in a row Let them drink out of half gallon bottles To the memory of Rosin the Beau To the memory of Rosin the Beau To the memory of Rosin the Beau Let them drink out of half gallon bottles To the memory of Rosin the Beau Then get this half dozen stout fellows And let them all stagger and go And dig a great hole in the meadow And in it put Rosin the Beau And in it put Rosin the Beau And in it put Rosin the Beau And dig a great hole in the meadow And in it put Rosin the Beau Then get ye a couple of bottles Put one at me head and me toe With a diamond ring scratch upon them The name of old Rosin the Beau The name of old Rosin the Beau The name of old Rosin the Beau With a diamond ring scratch upon them The name of old Rosin the Beau I've only this one consolation As out of this world I go I know that the next generation Will resemble old Rosin the Beau Will resemble old Rosin the Beau Will resemble old Rosin the Beau I know that the next generation Will resemble old Rosin the Beau I fear that old tyrant approaching That cruel remorseless old foe And I lift up me glass in his honor Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau And I lift up me glass in his honor Take a drink with old Rosin the Beau -------------------------------------------------------------- Top of page