Irish songs and traditional music
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Top of page THE VALLEY OF KNOCKANURE (Tim Leahy) You may sing or speak about Easter Week or the heroes of Ninety-Eight Those Fenian men who roamed the glen for victory or defeat Their names on history's page are told, their memory will endure - Not a song was sung of our darling sons in the valley of Knockanure There was Walsh and Lyons and the Dalton boy, they were young and in their prime They rambled to a lonely spot where the Black and Tans did hide The Republic bold they did uphold though outlawed on the moor And side by side, they fought and died in the valley of Knockanure It was on a neighbouring hillside we listened in hushed dismay In every house, in every town, a young girl knelt to pray They're closing in around them now, with rifle fire so sure And Lyons is dead and young Dalton's down in the valley of Knockanure But ere the guns could seal his fate, young Walsh had broken through With a prayer to God, he spun the sod as against the hill he flew And the bullets cut his flesh in two, still he cried with voice so sure "Oh, revenge I'll get for my comrades' deaths in the valley of Knockanure." The summer sun is sinking now behind the field and lea The pale moonlight is shining bright far off beyond Tralee The dismal stars and the clouds afar are darkening o'er the moor And the banshee cried when young Dalton died, in the valley of Knockanure Top of page WAXIES DARGLE Says my aul one to your aul one Will yeh come to the waxies dargle Says my aul one to your aul one Sure I haven't got a farthing I've just been down to Monto Town To see young Kill McArdle But he wouldn't lend me half a crown to go To the waxies dargle Chorus: What are you have'in will you have a pint I'll have a pint with you sir And if one of you doesn't order soon We'll be thrown out of the Boozer Says my aul one to your aul one Will you come to the Galaway Races Says your aul one to my aul one With the price of my aul lad's braces I went down to Chapel Street To the 'ol money lender But he wouldn't give me A couple of bob on My aul lad's red suspenders Chorus Says my aul one to your aul one We have no beef or mutton But if we go down to Monto Town We might get a drink for nuttin Here's a piece of advise I got from an old fish monger When the food is scarce And you see the hearse You'll know you died of hunger Chorus Top of page THE WEARING OF THE GREEN "O Paddy dear, and did ye hear the news that's goin' round? The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground! No more Saint Patrick's Day we'll keep, his color can't be seen For there's a cruel law ag'in the Wearin' o' the Green" I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand And he said, "How's poor ould Ireland, and how does she stand?" "She's the most distressful country that ever yet was seen For they're hanging men and women there for the Wearin' o' the Green" "So if the color we must wear be England's cruel red Let it remind us of the blood that Irishmen have shed And pull the shamrock from your hat, and throw it on the sod But never fear, 'twill take root there, though underfoot 'tis trod When laws can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow And when the leaves in summer-time their color dare not show Then I will change the color too I wear in my caubeen But till that day, please God, I'll stick to the Wearin' o' the Green" Top of page WEILA WAILA And there was an auld woman And she lived in the woods A weila weila waila There was an auld woman And she lived in the woods Down by the riverside She had a baby three months old A weila weila waila She had a baby three months old Down by the riverside She had a penknife long and sharp A weila weila waila She had a penknife long and sharp Down by the riverside She stuck the penknife in the baby's head A weila weila waila She stuck the penknife in the baby's head Down by the riverside There was three loud knocks coming knocking on the door A weila weila waila Three loud knocks coming knocking on the door Down by the riverside There was two policemen and a man A weila weila waila Two policemen and a man Down by the riverside They took her away and they put her in the jail A weila weila waila They took her away and they put her in the jail Down by the riverside They put the rope around her neck A weila weila waila They put the rope around her neck Down by the riverside They pulled the rope and she got hung A weila weila waila They pulled the rope and she got hung Down by the riverside Now that was the end of the woman in the woods A weila weila waila That was the end in the fabby tune Down by the riverside Top of page THE WEST'S AWAKE When all beside a vigil keep The West's asleep, the West's asleep Alas! And well may Erin weep When Connacht lies in slumber deep There lake and plain smile fair and free 'Mid rocks their guardian chivalry Sing, Oh! let man learn liberty From crashing wind and lashing sea That chainless wave and lovely land Freedom and nationhood demand Be sure the great God never planned For slumbering slaves a home so grand! And long a brave and haughty race Honoured and sentinelled the place Sing, Oh! not even their sons' disgrace Can quite destroy their glory's trace For often, in O'Connor's van To triumph dashed each Connacht clan And fleet as deer the Normans ran Through Corrsliabh Pass and Ardrahan And later times saw deeds as brave And glory guards Clanrickard's grave Sing, Oh! they died their land to save At Aughrim's slopes and Shannon's wave And if, when all a vigil keep The West's asleep! The West's asleep! Alas! And well may Erin weep That Connacht lies in slumber deep But, hark! A voice like thunder spake The West's awake! The West's awake! Sing, Oh! Hurrah! Let England quake! We'll fight till death for Ireland's sake Top of page THE WEXFORD CAROL Good people all, this Christmas-time Consider well and bear in mind What our good God for us has done In sending His beloved Son With thankful heart we should pray To God with love this Christmas day In Bethlehem upon that morn There was a blessed Messiah born! The night before that happy tide The noble virgin and her guide Were long time seeking up and down To find a lodging in the town But mark how all things came to pass; From every door repelled, alas! As long foretold, their refuge all Was but an humble oxens' stall There were three wise men from afar Directed by a glorious star And on they wandered night and day Until they came where Jesus lay And when they came unto that place Where our beloved Messiah was They humbly cast them at His feet With gifts of gold and incense sweet Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep; To whom God's angels did appear Which put the shepherds in great fear "Prepare and go", the angels said "To Bethlehem, be not afraid: For there you'll find, this happy morn A princely babe, sweet Jesus born" With happy heart and joyful mind The shepherds went the babe to find And as God's angel had foretold They did our Saviour Christ behold Within a manger He was laid And by His side the virgin maid Attending on the Lord of life Who came on earth to end all strife Top of page WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING When Irish eyes are smiling Sure it's like a morning spring In the lilt of Irish laughter You can hear the angels sing When Irish hearts are happy All the world seems bright and gay And when Irish eyes are smiling Sure, they steal your heart away There's a tear in your eye, and I'm wondering why For it never should be there at all With such power in your smile, sure a stone you'd beguile So there's never a teardrop should fall When your sweet lilting laughter's like some fairy song And your eyes twinkle bright as can be You should laugh all the while and all other times smile And now smile a smile for me Chorus: When Irish eyes are smiling Sure it's like a morning spring In the lilt of Irish laughter You can hear the angels sing When Irish hearts are happy All the world seems bright and gay And when Irish eyes are smiling Sure, they steal your heart away Top of page WHEN YOU WERE SWEET SIXTEEN When I first saw the love-light in your eyes I thought the world held naught but joy for me And even though we've drifted far apart I never dream, but what I dream of thee Chorus: I love you as I've never loved before Since I first Saw you on the village green Come to me in my dreams of love astoir I love you as I lovedyou , when you were sweet When you were sweet sixteen Last night I dreamt I held your hand in mine And once again you were my happy bride I kissed you as I did in Auld Lang syne As to the church we wandered side by side Chorus Top of page WHERE THE RIVER SHANNON FLOWS There's a pretty spot in Ireland I always claim for my land Where the fairies and the blarney will never, never die It's the land of the shillalah My heart goes back there daily To the girl I left behind me when we kissed and said goodbye Chorus: Where dear old Shannon's flowing Where the three-leaved shamrock's grows Where my heart is I am going to my little Irish rose And the moment that I meet her With a hug and kiss I'll greet her For there's not a colleen sweeter where the River Shannon flows Sure no letter I'll be mailing For soon will I be sailing And I'll bless the ship that takes me to my dear old Erin's shore There I'll settle down forever I'll leave the old sod never And I'll whisper to my sweetheart "Come and take my name Asthore" Top of page WHERE THE THREE COUNTIES MEET Oh how lovely to be on the shores of Lough Ree On a beautiful mid summer's morning Looking over the lake, as the bright waters break By the hills of the County Roscommon I left my home, in the town of Athlone On the way to the Three Jolly Pigeons It was near Glasson town, on the road I sat down And looked over the beautiful Shannon Chorus: Lough Ree, oh Lough Ree, where the three counties meet Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon As I stroll round her banks, by the heather and peat They're the memories I've never forgotten Oh sad was the day, that I went away To work among timbers and concrete For now as a man, I must follow life's plan (or I must name me a man, for to follow life's span) I forsook the dear place of my homeland If God grants me grace, I'll return to the place When the sunset of life has come o'er me Once again on these shores, like a bird my heart soars As I gaze on the beauty around me Top of page WHISKEY IN THE JAR (1) As I was going over the far Kilkerry mountain I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting I first produced my pistol, and the produced my rapier Said stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver Chorus: Musha ring dumma do damma da Whack for the laddie-o Whack for the laddie-o There's whiskey in the jar I counted out his money, and it made a pretty penny I put it in my pocket and I brought it home to Jenny She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me But the devil take the women, for they never can be easy Chorus I went into my chamber, for to take a slumber I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder But Jenny took my charges and she filled them up with water And send for captain Farrel to be ready for the slaughter Chorus It was early in the morning, before I rose to travel The guards were all around me and likewise captain Farrel I first produced my pistol, for she stole away my rapier But I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken Chorus If anyone can aid me, it's my brother in the army If I can find his station in Cork or in Killarney And if he'll come and save me, we'll go roving near Kilkenny And I swear he'll treat me better than me darling sporting Jenny Chorus Now some men take delight in the drinking and the roving But others take delight in the gambling and the smoking But I take delight in the juice of the barley And courting pretty Jenny in the morning bright and early Chorus Top of page WHISKEY IN THE JAR (2) As I was going over the far famed Kerry Mountains I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was counting I first produced my pistol and then produced my rapier Saying "Stand and deliver! For I am the bold deceiver!" Chorus: Mursha-ring-a-ma-doo-a-ma-dah Whack for the daddio whack for the daddio There's whiskey in the jar He counted out his money and it made a pretty penny I put it in my pocket and I took it home to Jenny She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me But the Devil take the women for you never can believe them I went into my chamber all for to take a slumber I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder But Jenny took my charges and she filled them up with water And sent for Captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter 'Twas early in the morning before I rose to travel Up come a band of footmen and likewise Captain Farrell I first produced my pistol for she stole away my rapier But I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken If anyone can aid me it's my brother in the army If I could learn his station in Cork or in Killarney And if he'd come and join me we'd go rovin' in Kilkenny I'll engage he'd treat me fairer than my darlin' sportin' Jenny Top of page WHISKEY YOU'RE THE DEVIL Chorus: Whiskey you're the devil you're leading me astray Over hills and mountains into Americay You're sweeter, stronger, decenter You're spunkier than tea Oh whiskey you're me darlin' drunk or sober! Oh, now brave boys we're on for marching Up to Portugal and Spain drums are beating, banners flying The devil all home will come tonight Love, fare thee well With me tiddle-ee-iddle-doodle-a-ma-da me tiddle-ee-iddle-doodle-a-ma-da Me rightful too-ra-laddie-oh There's whiskey in the jar Said the mother do not wrong me do not take me daughter from me For if you do I will torment you And after death me ghost will haunt you Love fare thee well Oh the French are fighting boldly Men are dying hot and coldly Give every man his flask of powder His firelock upon his shoulder Love fare thee well Top of page WHISTLING GYPSY A gypsy rover came over the hill, Down through the valley so shady He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang And he won the heart of the lady Chorus: Ah-dee-doo Ah-dee-doo-dah-day Ah-dee-doo Ah-dee-day-dee He whistled and he sang till the green woods rang And he won the heart of the lady She left her father's castle gate She left her own fond lover She left her servants and her estate He came at last to a mansion fine To follow the gypsy rover Down by the river Culadee And there was music and there was wine Her father sent up his fastest steed With the gypsy and his lady Roamed the valleys all over Sought his daughter at great speed He is no gypsy, my father, she said, And the whistling gypsy rover. But lord of these lands all over And I will stay till my dying day With the whistling gypsy rover Top of page THE WILD COLONIAL BOY There was a wild colonial boy, Jack Dugan was his name He was born and raised in Ireland, in a place called Castlemaine He was his father's only son, his mother's pride and joy And dearly did his parents love the wild colonial boy At the early age of sixteen years, he left his native home And to Australia's sunny shores he was inclined to roam He robbed the rich and he helped the poor, he stabbed James MacEvoy A terror to Australia was the wild colonial boy For two long years this daring youth ran on his wild career With a heart that knew no danger, and their justice he did not fear He robbed the lordly squatters, their flocks he would destroy A terror to Australia was the wild colonial boy He bade the judge "Good morning!" and he told him to beware For he never robbed an honest judge who acted "on the square" "Yet you would rob a mother of her son and only joy And breed a race of outlaws like the wild colonial boy!&uot; One morning on the prairie while Jack Dugan rode along While listening to the mocking bird singing a cheerful song Out jumped three troopers fierce and grim Kelly, Davis, and Fitzroy They all set out to capture him, the wild colonial boy Surrender now, Jack Dugan, for you see there's three to one Surrender in the Queen's name, sir, you are a plundering son Jack drew two pistols from his side and glared upon Fitzroy I'll fight but not surrender cried the wild colonial boy He fired a shot at Kelly, which brought him to the ground And turning round to Davis he received his fatal wound But a bullet pierced his brave young heart from the pistol of Fitzroy And that was how they captured him the wild colonial boy Top of page THE WILD ROVER I've been a wild rover for many a year I've spent all my money on whiskey and beer Now I'm returning with gold in great store And I swear that I'll play the wild rover no more Chorus: And it no, nay, never (clap hands four times) No, nay, never, No more Will I play the wild rover No, never, no more I went into an ale house that I used to frequent And I told the lady my money was spent I asked her for credit and she answered me nay Such a custom as yours I can get day Chorus: And it no, nay, never (clap hands four times) No, nay, never, No more Will I play the wild rover No, never, no more And out of my pocket and pulled sovereigns bright The landlady's eyes opened wide with delight She said I have whiskey and wines of the best And the words that I said were only in jest I'd go home to my parents confess what I've done And ask them to pardon their prodigal son And if their'll caress me as oft times before Then I swear that I play the wild rover no more Top of page WILL YOU COME TO THE BOWER Will you come to the bower o'er the free boundless ocean Where stupenduous waves roll in thunder and motion Where the fair maids are seen and the wild tempest gathers To loved Erin the green the dear land of our fathers? Will you come, will you, will you, will you come to the bower Will you come to the land of O'Neill and O'Donnell, Of Lord Lucan of old and the immortal O'Connell Where Brian chased the Dane and St Patrick the vermin, And those valleys remain still most beautiful and charming? Will you come, will you, will you, will you come to the bower You can visit Benburb and the stormy Blackwater, Where Owen Roe met Munroe and his chieftains did slaughter, Where the lambs sport and play on the mossy all over, From those bright golden views to enchanting restrover. Will you come, will you, will you, will you come to the bower You can see Dublin City and the fine groves of Blarney, The Baun, Boyne, and Liffey, and the lakes of Killarney, You can ride on the tide o'er the broad Majestic Shannon, You can sail round Loch Neagh and see storied Dungannon. Will you come, will you, will you, will you come to the bower You can visit New Ross, gallant Wexford and Gorey, Where the green was last seen by proud Saxon and Tory, Where the soil is sanctified by the blood of each true man, Where they died satisfied their enemies they would not run from Will you come, will you, will you, will you come to the bower Will you come and awake our dead land from its slumber, And her fetters we will break links that long are encumbered, And the air will resound with hosannas to greet you, On the shore will be found gallant Irishmen to meet you. Will you come, will you, will you, will you come to the bower Top of page THE WINDS ARE SINGING FREEDOM In the battle streets of Belfast you can hear the people cry for justice long denied them and their cry will fill the sky But the winds of change are blowing bringing hope from dark despair a new day is dawing you can feel it in the air Too long our people suffered in misery and tears and foreign rulers used our land for about 800 years It's a long road has no turning and I know that soon will be a day of justice dawning when our people shall be free Chorus: The winds are singing freedom they sing it everywhere They sing it on the mountainside And in the city square They sing of a new day dawning when our people shall be free Come and join the song of freedom let it ring from sea to sea There's a time laid out for laughing and there's a time laid aout to weep There's a time laid out for sowing and a time laid out to reap Ther's a time to love your brother there's a time for hate to cease If you sow the seeds of justice Then you'll reap the fruits of peace Top of page THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY I sat within a valley green Sat there with my true love And my fond heart strove to choose between The old love and the new love The old for her, the new that made Me think on Ireland dearly While soft the wind blew down the glade And shook the golden barley 'Twas hard the mournful words to frame To break the ties that bound us Ah, but harder still to bear the shame Of foreign chains around us And so I said, "The mountain glen I'll seek at morning early And join the brave united men" While soft wind shook the barley 'Twas sad I kissed away her tears Her arms around me clinging When the foeman's shot burst on our ears Come out the wildwood ringing The bullet pierced my true love's breast In life's young spring so early And there upon my breast she died While soft wind shook the barley I bore her to some mountain stream And many's the summer blossom I placed with branches soft and green About her gore-stained bosom I wept and kissed her clay-cold corpse Then rushed o'er vale and valley My vengeance on the foe to wreak While soft wind shook the barley 'Twas blood for blood without remorse I've taken at Oulart Hollow I placed my true love's clay-cold corpse Where mine full soon may follow Around her grave I wondered drear Noon, night and morning early With aching heart when e'er I hear The wind that shakes the barley Top of page ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS Last Sunday night, we had no dough So I took the moth up to see the zoo We saw the lions and the kangaroos Inside the zoological gardens Thunder and Lightening is no lark When Dublin city is in the dark If you've got any money, go up to the park And view the zoological gardens Well we went out there by Castleknock Said the moth to me, "Sure now we court by the lough" Then I knew she was one of the rare old stock Inside the zoological gardens Well we went out there on our honeymoon Said the moth to me, "If you don't come home soon You'll have to sleep with a hairy baboon!" Inside the Zoological Gardens -------------------------------------------------------------- Top of page