St. Patrick's Day Parade Irish Folk Songs

It's A Great Day For The Irish       Return To List Of Songs

It's a Great Day for the Irish,

It's a great day for the fair!

The sidewalks of New York are thick with blarney,

For sure you'd think of New York was ol' Killarney!

It's a great day for the shamrock,

For the flags in full array.

We're feeling so inspirish,

Sure because for all the Irish,

It's a Great, Great, DAY!

Danny Boy                                        Return To List Of Songs

Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes... the pipes are calling,

From glen to glen and down the mountain side.

The summer's gone and all the leaves are falling,

Tis you, Tis you must go and I must bide.

But come ye back, when summer's in the meadow,

and all the valley's hushed and white with snow.

And I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,

Oh, Danny Boy, Oh, Danny Boy, I love you so!

But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying

If I be dead, as dead I well may be.

Then come and find the place where I am lying,

And kneel and say an Ave there for me.

And I shall hear, though soft your tread above me,

And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be.

And you shall bend, and tell me that you love me,

And I shall rest in peace until you come to me.

My Wild Irish Rose                          Return To List Of Songs

My Wild Irish Rose,

The sweetest flower that grows.

You may search everywhere,

But none can compare with my wild Irish Rose.

My Wild Irish Rose,

The dearest flower that grows.

And someday for my sake,

She may let me take,

The bloom from my wild Irish Rose.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling            Return To List Of Songs

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.

I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover Return To List Of Songs

I'm looking over a four leaf clover

That I over-looked before.

One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain,

Third is the roses that grows in the lane.

No need explaining the one remaining

Is somebody I adore.

I'm looking over a four leaf clover

That I over-looked before!

HARRIGAN                                           Return To List Of Songs

H-A-Double R-I

G-A-N spells Harrigan!

Proud of all the Irish that's in me.

Divil a man can say a word agin me!

Oh, H-A-Double R-I

G-A-N you see!

It's the name,

That no shame has ever been connected with

It's a name that a shame never has been connected with  *

Harrigan, that's me!

* This line was provided to me by [email protected]

The Unicorn                                      Return To List Of Songs

A long time ago when the Earth was green,

There was more kinds of animals then you've ever seen.

And they'd run around free while the world was being born.

The loveliest of all was the Unicorn!

There was green alligators and long necked geese,

Hump back camels and chimpanzees.

Cats and rats and elephants but sure a you're born,

The loveliest of all was the Unicorn!

But the Lord seen some sinnin' and it caused him pain.

He says, "Stand back, I'm gonna make it rain.

So hey, Brother Noah, I'll tell you what to do.

Go and build me a floating zoo."

"You'll take two alligators and a couple of geese,

Two hump back camels and two chimpanzees.

Two cats, two rats, two elephants but as sure as you're born,

Noah, don't you forget my unicorns!"

Well, Noah looked out through the drivin' rain,

But the unicorns was hidin'-playin' silly games.

They were kickin' and a-splashin' while the rain was pourin',

Oh them foolish unicorns.

"So you take two alligators and a couple of geese,

Two hump back camels and two chimpanzees.

Two cats, two rats, two elephantsbut as sure as you're born,

Noah, don't you forget my unicorns."

And the the ark started movin' and it drifted with the tide,

And the unicorns looked up from the rock and cried.

And the water cameup and sort of floated them away,

That's why you've never seen a unicorn to this day.

You'll see a lot of alligators and a whole mess of geese,

You'll see hump back camels andchimpanzees.

You'll see cats and rats and elephants butas sure as you're born,

You're never gonna see no unicorn.

That's An Irish Lullaby                   Return To List Of Songs

Over in Killarney, many years ago,

Me Mother sang a song to me in tones so sweet and low.

Just a simple little ditty, in her good old Irish way.

And I'd give the world if she could sing that song to me this day.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Hush now don't you cry!

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, That's an Irish lullaby.

I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen  Return To List Of Songs

I'll take you home again, Kathleen,

Across the ocean wild and wide

To where your heart has ever been

Since first you were my bonny 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 be-dim your loving eyes.

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.

Sweet Rosie O'Grady                          Return To List Of Songs

Sweet Rosie O'Grady

My dear little rose,

She's my steady lady,

Most everyone knows,

And when we are married,

How happy we'll be,

I love Sweet Rosie O'Grady,

And Rosie O'Grady loves me.

Galway Bay                                        Return To List Of Songs

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 Glodagh,

And see the sun go down on Galway Bay.

And if there's to be a life hereafter,

And somehow I'm sure there's going to be,

I will ask my God to let me make my heaven,

In that dear land across the Irish sea.

Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream

and the women in the meadows making hay,

to sit beside the turf fire in the cabin

and watch the barefoot gossams (spelled phonetically) at their play.

For the breezes blowin' o'er the sea from Ireland

are perfumed by the heather as they blow

And the women in the upland diggin' tatties

speak a language that the strangers do not know.

For the stangers came and tried to teach us their way.

They scorned us just for bein' what we are.

But they might as well go chasin' after moon beams

Or light a penny candle from a star.

And if there's to be a life hereafter,

And somehow I'm sure there's going to be,

I will ask my God to let me make my heaven,

In that dear land across the Irish sea.

Sidewalks of New York                       Return To List Of Songs

Eastside, Westside,

All around the town,

The kids sand "Ring-a-Rosie,

Londonbridge is falling down."

Boys and girls together,

Me and Mamie O'Rourke,

Tripped the light fantastic

On the Sidewalks of New York.

Cockles and Mussels                           Return To List Of Songs

In Dublin's Fair City, where the girls are so pretty,

'Twas there I first met MY sweet Molly Malone.

She drove a wheel-barrow thro' streets broad and narrow,

Crying "COCKLES AND MUSSELS, a-live, a-live-o!"

A-live, alive-o! A-live, a-live-o!

Crying "COCKLES AND MUSSELS, a-live, a-live-o!"

She was a fishing-monger, and that was no wonder,

For so was her father and mother before.

They drove their wheel-barrows thro' streets broad and narrow,

Crying "COCKLES ANd MUSSELS, a-live, a-live-o"

She died of the fever, and nothing could save her,

And that was the endof sweet Molly Malone.

But her ghost drives a barrow thro' streets broad and narrow,

Crying "COCKLES AND MUSSELS, a-live, a-live-o"

The Rose of Tralee                             Return To List Of Songs

The pale moon was rising above the green mountains,

The sun was declining beneath the blue sea

When I strayed with my love to the pure crystal fountain

That stands in the beautiful vale of Tralee,

She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer,

Yet t'was not her beauty along that won me.

Oh, no! t'was the truth in her eyes ever dawning

That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.

Peg Of My Heart                                  Return To List Of Songs

Peg O'My Heart, I love you,

We'll never part, I love you,

Dear little girl, sweet little girl,

Sweeter than the Rose of Erin

Are your winningsmiles endearin',

Peg O'MyHeart, your glances

With Irish art entrance us,

Come be my own,

Come, make your home in my heart.

Peggy O'Neil                                       Return To List Of Songs

If her eyesare blue as skies,

That's Peggy O'Neil.

If she smiling all the while

That's Peggy O'Neil.

If she walkslike a sly little rogue-

If she talks with a cute little brogue-

Sweet personality, full of rascality,

That's Peggy O'Neil.

MacNamara's Band                                 Return To List Of Songs

Oh!  Me name is MacNamara,

I'm the leader of the band.

Although we're few in numbers

We're the finest in the land.

We playat wakes and weddings

And at ev'ry fancy ball,

And when we play to funerals

We play the march from Saul.

Oh!  The drums go bang

And the crystals clang,

And the horns they blaze away;

McCarthy pumps the old bassoon

While I the pipes do play;

And Hennessey Tennessee toootles the flute,

And the music is somethin' grand;

A credit to old Ireland is MacNamara's band.

Oh!  My name is Uncle Yulius and

From Sweden I have come,

To play with MacNamara's band

And beat the big bass drum,

And when I march along the street

The ladies think I'm grand

They shout "There's Uncle Yuliius playing with an Irish band."

Oh!  I wear a bunch of shamrocks

And a uniform of green,

And I'm the funniest looking Swede that you have ever seen.

There's O'Briens and Ryans and Sheehans and Meehans

They come from Ireland, But by Yimminy

I'm the only Swede in MacNamara's band.

A Little Bit Of Heaven                        Return To List Of Songs

Sure, a little bit o' Heaven fell from out of the sky one day,

And nestled on the ocean in a spot so far away;

And the angelsfound it, sure it looked so sweetand fair.

They said suppose we leave it, for it looks so peaceful there!

So they sprinkled it with star dust just to make the shamrocks grow;

'Tis the only place you'll find them,

No matter where you go;

Then they dotted it with silver

To make its lakes so grand,

And when they had it finished

Sure they called it IRELAND!

Mickey                                                 Return To List Of Songs

Mickey, pretty Mickey,

With your hair a raven hue.

In your smiling so beguiling,

There a bit of Killarney,

Bit of the Blarney, too.

Child-hood in the wildwood,

Like a mountain flow'r you grew.

Pretty Mickey, pretty Mickey,

Can you blame anyone for falling in love with you?

Mother Machree                                    Return To List Of Songs

Sure, I love the dear silver

That shines in your hair,

And the brow that's furrowed

And wrinkled with care,

I kiss the dear fingers,

So toil worn for me,

Oh, God bless you, and keep you

Mother Machree!

The Bowery                                           Return To List Of Songs

Oh, the night that I struck New York

I went out for a quiet walk,

Folks who were on to the city say

better by far that I take Broadway

But I was out to enjoy the sights

there was the Bowery ablaze with lights,

I had one of the Devil's own night

I'll never go there anymore.

(Refrain)

The Bow'ry, the Bow'ry

They say such things,

And they do strange things,

On the Bow'ry, the Bow'ry

I'll never go there anymore.

The Bow'ry, the Bow'ry

They say such things,

And they do strange things,

On the Bow'ry, the Bow'ry

I'll never go there anymore.

Clancy Lowered The Boom                       Return To List Of Songs

Now Clancy was a peaceful man, if you know what I mean.

The cops picked up the pieces after Clancy left the scene.

He never looked for trouble, that's a fact you can assume.

But never-the-less, when trouble would press,

Clancy lowered the boom!

Oh, that Clancy! Oh, that Clancy!

Whenever they got his Irish up,

Clancy lowered the boom!

O'Leary was a fighting man, they all knew he was tough.

He strutted 'round the neighborhood, a-shootin' off his guff.

He picked a fight with Clancy, then and there he sealed his doom.

Before you could shout "O'Leary, look out!"

Clancy lowered the boom!

Clancy left the barber shop with tonic on his hair,

He walked into the poolroom and he met O'Reilly there.

O'Reilly said "For goodness sakes, now do I smell perfume?"

Before you could stack your cue in the rack,

Clancy lowered the boom!

Mulrooney walked into the bar and ordered up a round.

He left his drink to telephone, and Clancy drank it down.

Mulrooney said "Who drunk me drink? I'll lay him in his tomb!"

Before you could pat the top of your hat,

Clancy lowered the boom!

O'Houlihan delivered ice to Misses Clancy's flat.

He'd always linger for a while, to talk of this and that.

One day he kissed her just as Clancy walked into the room.

Before you could say the time of day,

Clancy lowered the boom!

The neighbors all turned out for Kate O'Grady's weddin' night.

McDoogle said "Let's have some fun - I think I'll start a fight!"

He wrecked the hall, then kissed the bride and pulverized the groom.

Then quick as a wink, before you could think,

Clancy lowered the boom!

How Are Things In Glocca Morra?         Return To List Of Songs

How are things in Glocca Morra?

Is that little brook still leaping there?

Does it still run down to Donny-cove?

Through Killy-begs, 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?

It's The Same Old Shillelagh             Return To List Of Songs

Sure IT's THE SAME OLD SHILLELAGH

Me Father brought from Ireland.

And Divil a man prouder than He,

As He walked with it in his hand.

He'd lead the band on Paddy's Day

And twirle it round his mitt

And divil a bit we'd laught at it

OrDad would have a fit

Sure with THE SAME OLD SHILLELAGH

Me Father could lick a dozen men

As fastas they'd get up be gorry,

He'd knock'em down again

And many's the time He used it on me

To make me understand

THE SAME OLD SHILLELAGH

Me Father brought from Ireland.

Who Threw The Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder?

Mrs. Murphy gave a party just about a week a-go,

Everything was plentiful the Murphy's they're not slow,

They treated us like gentlemenwe tried to act the same,

And only for what happened well it was an awful shame.

Chrous:

Who threw the overalls in Mrs. Murphy's chowder?

Nobody spoke so we shouted all the louder,

It's an Irish trick that's true,

But we'll lick the "mick" that threw

The overalls in Mrs. Murphy's chowder.

When she dished the chowder out she fainted on the spot.

She found a pair of overalls at the bottom of the pot.

Tim Nolan, he got rippin' mad. His eyes were bulging out.

He stood upon the piano and loudly he did shout.

Chorus:

They took the pants from out the soup and laid them on the floor.

Each man swore upon his life he ne'er seen them before.

They were plastered up with morter and were worn out at the knee.

Only for what happened then it was too plain to see.

Chorus:

When Mrs. Murphy she came to, she began to cry and pout.

She had them in the wash that day and forgot to take them out.

Tim Nolan he excused himself for what he said that night

So we put music to the words and sang with all our might.

Chorus:


Mary It's A Grand Old Name               Return To List Of Songs

For it is Mary, Mary, plain as any name can be;

But with propiety, society will say Marie;

But it was Mary, Mary, long before the fashions came,

And there is something there, that sounds so square,

It's a grand old name.

The Parting Glass				Return To List Of Songs

Oh all the money that e're I spent,

I spent it in good company.

And all the harm that e're I've done

alas it was to none but me.

And all I've done for want of wit

To memory now I can't recall.

So fill to me the parting glass,

Goodnight and joy be with you all,

Oh all the comrades that e're I had

Are sorry now I'm going away.

And all the sweethearts that e're I had

Would wish me one more day to stay.

But since it falls unto my lot

That I should rise and you should not.

I'll gently rise and I'll 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 rosey cheeks and ruby lips,

I own she has my heart in thrall.

Then fill me with the parting glass,

Good night and joy be with you all.

Galway Bay  (Parody) 				Return To List Of Songs

Maybe some day I'll go back again to Ireland

If my dear old wife would only pass away

She nearly has my heart broke with all her naggin

She's got a mouth as big as Galway Bay

See her drinking sixteen pints of pabst blue ribbon

And then she can walk home without a sway

If the sea were beer instead of salty water

She'd live and die in Galway Bay

See her drinking sixteen pints at Padgo Murphey's

The barman says I think it's time to go

Well she doesn't try to speak to him in Gaelic

In a language that the clergy do not know

On her back she has tattooed a map of Ireland

And when she takes her bath on Saturday

She rubs the sunlight soap around by Claddagh

Just watch the suds flow down by Galway Bay.

Irish Rover       Return To List Of Songs

In the year of our lord eighteen hundred and six

We set sail from the coal quay of Cork

We were sailing away with a cargo of brick

For the grand city hall in New York

We'd an elegant craft that was rigged fore and aft

And how the trade winds they drove her =

She had twenty three masts and she stood several blasts

And they called her the Irish Rover

There was Barney Magee 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 from Dover

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 silo rags

We had two million barrels of bone

We had three million bales of old nanny goat 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 horse's hides

In the hold of the Irish Rover

We had sailed several years when the measles broke out

And our ship lost her way in the fog

And the whole 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 time around , then the old dog was drowned

I'm the last of the Irish Rover

Leaving Liverpool                                        Return To List Of Songs

Fare thee well to you my own true love

I am going far away

I am bound for California

But I know that I'll return someday

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 darling when I think of thee

I have shipped on a Yankee sailing ship Davey Crockett is her name

And Burgess is the captain of her

And they say she's a floating hell

Chorus:

Now the sun is on the Harbor love

and I wish I could remain

For I know it will be a long long time

Before I will see you again

All For Me Grog                          Return To List Of Songs

Chorus:

And it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog

All for me beer and tobacco

Well I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin

Across the western ocean I must wander

Where are me boots, me noggin noggin boots

they're all gone for beer and tobacco

For the heels they are worn out and the toes are kicked about

And the soles are looking for better weather

Chorus:

Where is me shirt me noggin noggin shirt

It's all gone for beer and tobacco

For the collar is all worn and the sleeves they are all torn

And the tail is looking for better weather

Chorus:

I'm sick in the head and I haven't gone to bed

Since I first came ashore from me slumber

For I spent all me dough on the lassies don't you know

Far across the western ocean I must wander

Chorus:

The Holy Ground            Return To List Of Songs

Fair thee well my lovely Dianah

A thousand times adieu

For we're goin' away from the holy ground

and the girls we all love true

We will sail the salt sea over

and we'll return for shore

To see again the girls we love

and the holy ground once more

Fine Girl You Are!

( Chorus )

You're the girl I do adore

And still I live in the hopes to see

The Holy ground once more

Fine Girl You Are!

Now the storm is raging

And we are far from Shore

And the good old ship is tossing about

And the rigging is all tore

And the secret of my mind my love

You're the girl I do adore

And still I live in hopes to see

The Holy ground once more

Fine Girl You Are!

( Chorus )

And soon the storm is over

And we are all well

We will go into a public house

and we'll sit and drink our fill

We will drink strong ale and porter

and we'll make the rafters roar

And when all of our money is all spent

We will go to sea once more

Fine Girl You Are!

( Chorus )

Kelly Of Killann Return To List Of Songs

1

What's the news what's the news oh my bold Shelmalier

With your long barreled 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 new do I bring you 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 Killann

2

Tell me who is that giant with the gold curling hair =

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 Shelmaliers

Among the greatest heroes a man

Fling your beavers aloft and give three ringing cheers

For John Kelly the boy from Killann

3

Enniscorthy's in flames and old Wexford is won

And the Barrow to-morrow we will cross

On a hill over the town we have planted a gun

That will batter the gateway of Ross

All the forth men and Bargy men march over the heath

With the brave Harvey to lead the van

But the foremost of all in the grim gap of death

Will be Kelly the boy from Killann

4

But the sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross

And it set by the Slaney's red waves

And poor Wexford, stripped naked hung high on a cross

And her heart pierced by traitors and slaves

Glory Oh! Glory Oh! To her brave sons who died

For the cause of long down-trodden men

Glory Oh! To Mount Leinster's own darling pride

Dauntless Kelly, the boy from Killann

Roddy McCorley                                           Return To List Of Songs

Oh see the host of fleet foot men who sped with faces wan

From farmstead and from fisher's cot along the banks of 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

When last he stepped up that street , his shining pike in hand

Behind him marched a grim array, a stalwart and earnest band

For Antrim town! For Antrim Town! He led them to the fray

And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome Today

Up the narrow streets he steps, Smiling proud and young

About the hemp rope on his neck the golden ringlets clung

There was never a tear in his blue eyes, both sad and bright are they

For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome Today

There was never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray

Then he who marches to his fate on the bridge of Toome today

True to the last true to the last he treads the upward way

And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome Today

The Wild Rover                                      Return To List Of Songs

It was Friday morn when we set sail

And we were not far from the land

When our captain spied a Mermaid so fair

With a comb and a glass in her hand

( Chorus )

And the ocean waves may roll

And the stormy winds may blow

Shout : May Blow!

And we poor sailors come skipping to the top

While the land lubbers lie down below below below

While the land lubbers lie down below

Then up spoke the Captain of our gallant ship

And a fine spoken man was he

Saying" I have a wife in Brooklyn by the sea

And tonight a widow she will be "

( Chorus )

Then up spoke the cabin boy of our gallant ship

And a brave young lad was he

" Oh I have a sweetheart in Salem by the sea

And tonight she'll be weepin' for me "

( Chorus )

Then up spoke the cook of our gallant ship

And a crazy old butcher was he

" I care much more for my pots and my pans

than I do for the bottom of the sea "

( Chorus )

Then three times round spun our gallant ship

And three times round spun she

Three times round spun our gallant ship

And she sank to the bottom of the sea

( Chorus )

A Nation Once Again                   Return To List Of Songs

When boyhood's fire was in my blood

I read of ancient freemen

For Greece and Rome who bravely stood

Three hundred and three men

And Then I prayed I may yet see

Our fetters rent in twain

And Ireland long a providence be a Nation once Again

Chorus:

A Nation Once Again

A Nation Once Again

And Ireland ,long a providence be

A Nation Once Again

And from that time through wildest woe

That hope has shone a far light

Nor could love's brightest summer glow

outshine the solemn starlight

It seemed to watch above my head

In forum field and fane

It's angel voice sang round my bed

A Nation once again

Chorus:

It whispered too that freedom's ark

And service high and Holy

Would be profaned by feelings dark

And passion vain and lowly

For freedom comes from God's right hand

And needs a Godly train

And righteous men must take our land

A nation once again

Chorus:

So as I grew from boy to man

I bent me to that bidding

My spirit of each selfish plan

And cruel passion ridding

For thus I hoped someday to aid

Oh can such hope be vain

When my dear country shall be made a nation once again

Chorus:

The Patriot Game  Return To List Of Songs

* Editor's Note:  This songs seems to have been provided with Chords,

but in the transmission, I am not certain of their alignment.

Also, I hold no opinion for or against the Irsish, IRA, or the English.

I just post 'em, when I get the requests.  I do not endorse or condem.

Violence and oppression are the tools used by both sides.  The sad things

are that people get hurt, and in the end, people end up sitting around a

table talking about how to heal the wounds.  If they would only think of

that first, and avoid the bloodshed, it would save lives on both sides.

C         F    C            G               C

Come all ye young rebels and list while I sing

F                  C                 Em        C

For the love of one's country is a terrible thing

F             C        Em           C

It banishes fear like the speed of a flame

F     Em      G            C

And it makes us all part of the Patriot Game

C        F    C            G               C

My Name is O' Hanlon I just turned sixteen

F            C         Em      C

My home is Monaghan where I was weaned

F             C         Em             C

I've learned all my life cruel England's to blame

C         F  Em         G       C

So now I am part of the Patriot Game

F        C          G               C

It's nearly two years since I wandered away

F        C                    Em  C

With a local battalion of the bold IRA

F        C              Em         C

For I read of those heroes and wanted the same

F    Em      G            C

To play my part  in the Patriot Game

C              F    C           G         C

Now as I lie here my body all holes

F        C         Em                C

I think of those traitors who bartered and sold

F      C        Em            C

I wish that my rifle had given the same

F      Em               G       C

To those quislings who sold out the Patriot Game

Reilly's Daughter                          Return To List Of Songs

As I was sitting by the fire, Talkin' to Old Reilly's daughter

Suddenly a thought came into my mind I'd like to marry Old Reilly's daughter

( Chorus )

Giddy I-ay Giddy I-ay Giddy I-ay

For the one eyed Reilly

Giddy I-ay ( 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, Kept that eye on his lovely daughter

( Chorus )

Her hair was black and her eyes were blue, The colonel, the major and the captain sought her

The sergeant, the private and the drummer boy to, but they never had a chance with old 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 old 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 married his daughter

( Chorus )

I caught old Reilly by the hair, Rammed his head into a pail of water

Fired his pistols into the air, an damned sight quicker then I married hi=

s daughter

( Chorus )

I'll tell Ma                                        Return To List Of Songs

I'll tell 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 courting 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

Saying " 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 fella with the roving eye

Let the wind and the rain and the hail blow high

And the snow comes tumbling 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 Ma when she comes home

Let them come as they will

For it's Albert Mooney she loves still

The Black Velvet Band                       Return To List Of Songs

Chorus:

Her eyes they shone like diamonds

You'd think she was queen of the land =

With her hair thrown over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

As I went walking down Broadway

Not intending to stay very long

I met with a frolicsome damsel

As she came tripping along

Chorus:

A watch she pulled out of her pocket

And slipped it right into my hand

On the very first day I met her

Bad luck to the black velvet band

Chorus:

Before the judge and jury next morning

Both of us did appear

A gentleman claimed his jewelry

and the case against us was clear

Chorus:

Seven long years transportation

Right down to " Van Dieman's Land "

Far away from my friends and companions

To follow the black velvet band

Chorus:

The Wild Colonial Boy                           Return To List Of Songs

There was a wild colonial boy Jack Dugan was his name

He was born and bred in Ireland in a house called Castle Maine

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 land 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

One morning on the prairie wild Jack Dugan rode around

While listening to a 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 come You see it'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

He fired point blank at Davis too who fell dead at the sound

But a bullet pierced his brave young heart from the pistol of Fitzroy

And that is how they captured him the wild colonial boy

The Wild Rover                             Return To List Of Songs

I've been a wild rover for many a year

And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer

And now I'm returning with gold in great store

And I never will play the wild rover no more

Chorus:

And it's no nay never

No nay never no more

Will I play the wild rover

No nay never no more

I went to an alehouse I used to frequent

And I told the landlady my money was spent

I asked her for credit she answered me nay

Such favor as yours I can have any day

Chorus:

I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright

And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight

She said I have whiskey and wines of the best

And the words that I spoke sure were only in jest

Chorus:

I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done

And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son

And if they caress me as oft times before

Sure I will never play the wild rover no more

It's How I Spell Ireland                 Return to List of Songs

I is for the Irish in  your eyes so bright and clear

R means right and when you're right, you have no need to fear

E is for Eileen, your mother's name I mean

L is for the lakes where I first met my sweet Coleen

A for angels who are watching over you

N means never cry, keep smiling through

D is for your daddy's lesson, hope that it will be a blessin

That's how I spell IRELAND.

An Irishman's Dream                    Return to List of Songs

Sure I've roamed this wide world over

But of all the lands I've seen

There's no spot I'd rather dwell in

Than my little isle of Green

Only last night I was dreamin'

Of a sight that thrilled me through

But what I saw I'll see no more

'twas too good to be true.

Sure the shamrocks were growing on Boadway

Every girl was an Irish colleen

The town of New York was the county of Cork

All the buildings were painted green

Sure the Hudson looked just like the Shannon

Oh, how good and how real it did seem

I could hear me mother singin', sweet Shannon bells ringin'

'twas only an Irishman's dream

Erin, You're Wearin' a Wonderful Smile                Return to List of Songs

If I'm dreamin', don't wake me, Macushla,

For I see Erin wearin' a smile;

And dried are the tears

That were fallin' for years

On her own darlin' Emerald Isle.

(Chorus)

Oh, then Erin, you're wearin' a wonderful smile,

And it's proud I am of you today.

All the sorrows you've suffered were well worth the while

Just to know that they're fadin' away.

Oh, the Shannon is singin' an auld Irish song,

And the shamrock again is in style.

May the blessin' of God be yours always, auld Sod:

Erin, you're wearin' a wonderful smile.

Oh, I hope I'm not dreamin', Macushla,

And the smile that I see does not die,

'Til the skies overhead see the shamrock grow red,

And the lakes of Killarney run dry.

(Chorus)

Old Maid in the Garret       Return To List Of Songs

I have often heard it said from me father and me mother,

That going to a wedding was the making of another.

Well if this be so, then I'll go without a bidding,

Oh kind providence won't you send me to a wedding.

Chorus:

For it's oh dear me, how will it be if I die an old maid in the garret?

Oh now there's my sister Jean, she's not handsome or good looking'

Scarcely sixteen and a fella she was courting',

Now she's twenty four with a son and a daughter,

here am I forty-five, and I've never had an offer.

Repeat Chorus:

I can cook and I can sew, I can keep the house right tidy,

Rise up in the morning and get the breakfast ready.

But there's nothing in this wide world would make me half so cherry

as a wee fat mannie who would call me his own dearie.

Repeat Chorus:

Oh come landsman or come kinsman, come tinker or come tailor,

Come fiddler or come dancer, come ploughman or come sailor,

Come rich man come poor man, come fool or come witty,

Come any man at all who would marry me for pity

Repeat Chorus:

Oh I'm away home for there's nobody heeding',

There's nobody heeding' for poor Annie's pleading',

And I'm away home to me own wee bit garret,

If I can't get a man than I'll surely get a parrot.

Repeat Chorus:

The Rising of the Moon                                        Return To List Of Songs

"O then, tell me Sean O'Farrell, tell me why you hurry so?"

"Hush a bhuachaill, hush and listen" And his cheeks were all aglow

"I bear orders from the capt'n Get you ready quick and soon

For the pikes must be together At the rising of the moon"

CHORUS:

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon (Last line of verse)

"O then tell me Sean O'Farrell Where the gath'rin is to be?

In the old spot by the river, 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.

CHORUS:

Out from many a mud wall cabin Eyes were watching through the night,

Many a manly heart was beatin , For the blessed morning light.

Murmurs ran along the valleys, to the banshee's lonely croon

And a thousand pikes were flashing, At the rising of the moon.

CHORUS:

All along that singing river That black mass of men were seen,

High above their shining weapons, flew their own beloved green.

"Death to every foe and traitor! Forward! Strike the marching tune.

And hurrah my boy for freedom; 'Tis the rising of the moon".

CHORUS:

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!)

Yet, thank God, e'en still are beating  Hearts in manhood burning noon,

Who would follow in there footsteps, At the risin' of the moon

CHORUS:

Rosin The Bow                          Return To List Of Songs

I've traveled this world all over

And now to another I go

And I know that good quarters are waiting

For to welcome old Rosin the Bow


To Welcome old Rosin the Bow me lad

To Welcome old Rosin the Bow

And I know that good quarters are waiting

For to welcome old Rosin the Bow


When I'm dead and laid out on the counter

A voice you will hear from below

Saying send down a hogs head of whiskey

To drink with old Rosin the Bow


To Drink with old Rosin the Bow me lad

To drink with old Rosin the Bow

Saying send down a hogs head of whiskey

To drink with old Rosin the Bow


An get a half dozen stout fellows

And stack them up all in a row

Let them drink out of half gallon bottles

To the memory of Rosin the Bow


To the memory of Rosin the Bow me lad

To the memory of Rosin the Bow

Let them drink out of half gallon bottles

To the memory of Rosin the Bow

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 Bow


And in it put Rosin the Bow me lad

And in it put Rosin the Bow

And dig a great hold in the meadow

And in it put Rosin the Bow


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 Bow

The name of old Rosin the Bow me lad

The name of old Rosin the Bow

With a diamond ring scratch upon them

The name of old Rosin the Bow


I feel 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 Bow


Take a drink with old Rosin the Bow me lad

Take a drink with old Rosin the Bow

And I lift up my glass in his honor

Take a drink with old Rosin the Bow

Mr. Moses Ri-Tooral-i-ay            Return To List Of Songs

The Policeman walked out, oh, so proud on his beat,

When a vision came to him of stripes on his sleeve

Promotion he whispered, I'll try for today;

So come with me, Mister Ri-Tooral-i-ay. =

Come tell me your name, says the limb of the law.

To the little fat man selling wares on the straw.

What's that sir, me name sir? Why 'tis there on display,

And it's Moses Ri-Tooral-i-ay.


Now the trial came on and lasted a week.

One Judge said 'twas German; another 'twas Greek.

Prove your Irish said the policeman and beyond it say nay;

And we'll sit on it, Moses Ri-Tooral-i-ay.


Now, the prisoner stepped up there as stiff as a crutch.

Are you Irish or English or German or Dutch? =

I'm a Jew sir; I'm a Jew sir, that came over to stay,

And my name it is Moses Ri-Tooral-i-ay.


Were two of a kind said the judge to the Jew;

You're a cousin of Brisco and I am one too.

This numskull has blundered and for it will pay.

Wisha that's right, says Moses Ri-Tooral-i-ay.


There's a garbage collector who works down our street

He once was a policeman, the pride of his beat.

And he moans all the night and he groans all the day,

Singing, Moses Ri-Tooral-i-ooral-i-ay.

The Bold O'Donahue Return To List Of Songs

Here I am from Paddy's land, a land of high renown.

I broke the hearts of all the girls from miles of Keady town.

And when they hear that I'm away' they raise a hullabaloo

When they hear about the handsome lad they call O'Donahue.


Chorus:

For I'm the boy to please her and I'm the boy to tease her.

And I'm the boy to squeeze her up and I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll court her like an Irishman with me brogue and blarney too is me plan

With me rollikin', swollikin', gollikin', wollikin', Bold O'Donahue.


I wish me love was a red red rose grown' on yon garden wall.

And me to be dewdrop and upon her brow I'd fall.

Perhaps now she might think of me as a rather heavy dew.

No more she'd love the handsome lad they call O'Donahue.


They say that Queen Victoria has a daughter fine and grand

Perhaps she'd take it into her head for to marry an Irishman

And if I could only get the chance to have a word or two

Perhaps she'd take a notion in the bold O'Donahue.

The Parting Glass                                           Return To List Of Songs

Oh, all the money e'er I had, I spent in good company,

And all the harm I've ever done, alas it was to none but me.

And all I've done for want to wit to memory now I can't recall.

So fill to me the parting glass, Good night and joy be with you all.


Oh all the comrades  e'er I had They're sorry for my going away.

And all the sweethearts e'er I had, They'd wish 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, Good night 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 me with the parting glass, Good night and joy be with you all.

Seven Old Ladies                                      Return To List Of Songs

Chorus:

Oh dear what can the matter be?

Seven old ladies locked in the lavatory

They were there from Sunday to Saturday

Nobody knew they were there


They said they were going to chat with the Vicar

They went in together they thought it was quicker

The lavatory door was a bit of a sticker

And the Vicar had tea alone


The first was a wife of the Deacon of Dover

Always  was known as a bit of a rover

She passed out in the ladies napkin disposal

And nobody knew they were there


The next old lady was dear Mrs. Bickles

Found herself in a bit of a pickle

Locked out of the stalls for she hadn't a nickel

And nobody knew they were there

The next was the Bishop of Chichester's daughter

She couldn't wait so she used the basin

Unaware it was the basin a pope had washed his face in

And nobody knew they were there


The next old lady was Abigail Humphery

Who settled in and made herself comfy

Tried to get up but couldn't get her bum free

And nobody knew they were there


The next old lady was Elizibeth Spender

Was doing all right 'til her vagrant suspender

Got all twisted up in her feminine gender

And nobody knew they were there


The last was a lady named Jennifer Tripp

She couldn't wait, couldn't wait to get started

But when she sat down she only farted

And nobody knew they were there

Courting in the Kitchen                   Return To List Of Songs

Come single belle and beau unto me pay attention

Don't ever fall in love it's the devil's own invention

For once I fell in love with a maiden so bewitchen'

Miss Henrietta Bell down in Captain Kelly's Kitchen

Chorus:


Chorus:

Singin' Toor rah loo rah lay

Singin' Toor rah roo rah laddie

Singin' Toor rah loo rah lay

Singin' Toor rah roo rah laddie


At the age of seventeen I was apprenticed to a grocer

Not far from Steven's Green where Miss Henri' used to go sir

Her manners were so fine she'd set me heart a twitchen'

When she invited me to a hooley in the kitchen

Chorus:


Sunday being the day we were to have the flare up

I dressed myself quite gay and I frizzed and oiled my hair up

The Captain had no wife and he'd gone off a fishin'

So we kicked up high life below the stairs in the kitchen

Chorus:


With me arms around her waist she slyly hinted marriage

When to the door in haste came Captain Kelly's carriage

Her look told me full well and they were not bewitchin'

That she wished I'd get to hell or somewhere from the kitchen

Chorus:

She flew up off my knee, Full five feet up or higher

And over head and heels threw me slap into the fire

My new Repealer's coat that I bought from Mr. Mitchell

With a thirty shilling note went to blazes in the kitchen

Chorus:


I Grieved to see me duds besmeared with smoke and ashes

With a tub of dirty suds right in my face she dashes

As I lay on the floor the water she kept pitchin'

Till a footman broke the door and came chargin' in the kitchen

Chorus:


When he captain came downstairs tho' he'd seen me situation

Despite of all me prayers I was marched off to the station

For me they had no bail tho' to get home I was itchin'

And I had to tell the tale of how I came into the kitchen

Chorus:


I said she did invite me but she gave a flat denial

For assault she did indict me and I was sent for trial

She swore I robbed the house in spite of all her screechin'

And I got six months hard, for me courting in the kitchen

Chorus:

Henry Me Son  Return To List Of Songs

Where have you been all day Henry me son

Where have you been all day my beloved on

Away in the meadow Away in the meadow

Make my bed I've a pain in me head

And I want to lie down

And what did you have to eat Henry me son

And What did you have to eat, My beloved one

Poison beads Poison beads

Make my bed I've a pain in me head

And I want to lie down

And what will you leave your mother Henry me son

And what will you leave your mother, my beloved one

A woolen blanket A woolen blanket

Make my bed I've a pain in me head

And I want to lie down

And what will you leave you children Henry me son

And what will you leave you children my beloved one

The keys to heaven

The keys to heaven

Make my bed I've a pain in me head

And I want to lie down

And what will you leave your sweetheart henry me son

And what will you leave your sweetheart my beloved one

A rope to hang her

A rope to hang her

Make my bed I've a pain in me head

And I want to lie down

Waxies Dargel                          Return To List Of Songs

Says my aul one to your aul one

Will yeh come to the waxies dargel

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:

Fiddler's Green                                        Return To List Of Songs

As I walked by the dockside one evening so fair

To view the salt water and take the sea air

I saw an old fisherman singing a song

"Won't you take me away boys my time is not long

Chorus:


Chorus

Wrap me up in my oil skin jumper

No more on the docks I'll be seen

Just tell me oul ship mates I'm takin' a trip mates

And I'll see you someday on Fiddler's Green


Now Fiddler's Green is a place I heard tell

Where the fishermen go when they don't go to hell

Where the skies are all clear and the dolphins do play

And the cold coast of Greenland is far far away

Chorus


When you get on the docks and the long trip is through

There's pubs and there's clubs and Lassies there too

Where the girls are all pretty and the beer it is free

And there's bottles of Rum growin from every tree

Chorus:


Now I don't want a harp nor a Halo not me

Just give me a breeze and a good rolling sea

I'll play me old squeeze box as we sail along

With the wind in the rigging to sing me a song

Chorus:

The MoonShiner                       Return To List Of Songs

Chorus:

I'm a rambler I'm a gambler I'm a long way from home

And if you don't like me well leave me alone

I'll eat when I'm hungry I'll drink when I'm dry

And if the moonshine don't kill me I'll drink till I die


I've been a moonshiner for many a year

I've spent all my money on whiskey and beer

I'll go to some hollow and set up me still

I'll make you a gallon for a ten shilling bill


I'll go to some hollow in the country

Ten gallons of wash I can go on a spree

No woman to follow and the world is all mine

I love none so well as I love the moonshine


Moonshine dear moonshine oh how I love thee

You killed me poor father but dare you try me

Bless all the moonshiners and bless all the moonshine

It's breath smells as sweet as the dew on the vine


I'll have moonshine for Liza and moonshine for May

Moonshine for Lu she'll sing all the day

Moonshine for my breakfast, Moonshine for my tea

Moonshine me hearties, it's moonshine for me

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And the rains fall soft upon your fields...

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand