Irish Lyrics

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Songs of Olde Ireland

Songs Of Olde Ireland

Compilation Copyright 2003 by Larry Smith

The Beggerman 2Star of the County Down 3Finnegan's Wake 5Gallant Forty-Twa 6Danny Boy 7Galway Races 8Gypsy Rover 10Kilgarry Mountain 11

Johnson's Motor Car 13Galway City 14Kitty, the Rose of Kilrea

15Reilly's Daughter 16By the Rising of the Moon 18

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THE BEGGARMAN'S SONG (JOHNNY DHU)

I am a little beggarman, a beggin' I have beenFor three score or more in this little isle of greenI'm known along the Liffey from the Basin to SegueAnd everybody calls me by the name of Johnny Dhu

Of all the trades a going, sure the beggin' is the bestFor when a man is tired he can sit him down and restHe can beg for his dinner, he has nothing else to doBut to slip around the corner with his old rigadoo

I slept in a barn one night in CurrabawnA shocking wet night , but I slept until the dawn

There was holes in the roof and the rain coming thruAnd the rats and the cats they were playin' peek aboo

And who did I waken but the woman of the houseWith her white spotted apron and her calico blouseShe began to frighten and I said booSure'n , don't be afraid, Ma'am, it's only Johnny Dhu

I met a little flaxen haired girl one day

Good morning little flaxen haired girl, I did sayGood morning little beggarman and how do you doWith your rags and your tags and your auld rigadoo

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I'll buy a pair of leggins and a collar and a tieAnd a nice young lady I'll fetch by and by

I'll buy a pair of goggles and color them blueAnd an old fashioned lady I will make her tooOver the road with me bag on my backOver the fields with a great heavy sackWith holes in my shoes and my toes a peeping thruSinging, skineema rink a doodle with my auldrigadoo

O I must be going to bed for it's getting late at nightThe fire is all raked and out goes the lightFor now you've heard the story of my auld rigadooSo goodbye and God be with you,

from auld Johnny Dhu

STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN

Near Banbridge Town in the County DownOne morning in July...From a boreen green came a sweet colleenand she smiled as she passed me by.Oh, she looked so neat from her two bare feetto the sheen of her golden hairsuch a fetching elf, I'd to shake myself

for to see I was really there.

ChorusFrom Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay

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and from Galway to Dublin TownNo maid I've seen like a sweet colleen

that I met in the County Down.

As she onward sped, sure I shook my headand I gazed with a feeling rareand I said, says I, to a passer-bywho's the maid with the golden hair?He smiled at me, and he said, says he,

That's the gem in the Irish crown.She's Maura McCann, from the banks of the Bann,and the Star of the County Down!

She'd a sapphire eye and a look so slyand a smile like a rose in Juneand you hung on each note from her lily-white throatas she lilted an Irish tune.And the way she'd dance! You were held in a tranceas she flew through a jig or reel.When her eyes she'd roll, she'd coax from my soulthings I thought I could never feel!

Well, I've travelled a bit, but I never was smitever since my roving began.But fair and square I surrendered right thereto charms of young Maura McCann.I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet

that I met with in shawl or in gown.So in she went and I asked no rentof the Star of the County Down.

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At the harvest fair she'll be surely thereand I'll dress in my Sunday clothes.

With my shoes shined bright and my hat cockedrightfor a smile from a golden rose.No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke'til my plow with rust turns brown,'til a smiling bride, by my own fireside,sits the Star of the County Down!

FINNEGAN'S WAKE

Tim Finnegan lived in Walkin' StreetA gentle Irishman, mighty odd;He had a brogue both rich and sweetAnd to rise in the world he carried a hod.Now Tim had a sort of the tipplin' wayWith a love for the whiskey he was bornAnd to help him on with his work each dayHe'd a "drop of the cray-thur" every morn.

cho Whack fol the darn O, dance to your partnerWhirl the floor, your trotters shake;Wasn't it the truth I told youLots of fun at Finnegan's wake!

One mornin' Tim was feelin' fullHis head felt heavy which made him shake;He fell from the ladder and broke his skullAnd they carried him home his corpse to wake.

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They rolled him up in a nice clean sheetAnd laid him out upon the bed,

With a gallon of whiskey at his feetAnd a barrel of porter at his head.

His friends assembled at the wakeAnd Mrs. Finnegan called for lunch,First they brought in tay and cake

Then pipes, tobacco and whiskey punch.Biddy O'Brien began to cry"Such a nice clean corpse, did you ever see?"O Tim, mavourneen, why did you die?"Arragh, shut your mouth! said Paddy McGhee!

Then Maggie O'Connor took up the job"O Biddy," says she, "You're wrong, I'm sure"Biddy she gave her a belt in the gobAnd left her sprawlin' on the floor.And then the war did soon engage'Twas woman to woman and man to man,Shillelagh law was all the rageAnd a row and a ruction soon began.

Then Mickey Maloney raised his headAnd a noggin of whiskey flew at him,It missed, and falling on the bed

The liquor scattered over Tim!

The corpse revives! See how he raises!Timothy rising from the dead,Says,"Whirl your whiskey around like blazes

Thanum an Dhul! Do you think I'm dead?"

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THE GALLANT FORTY TWA

You may talk about your lancers, or your IrishFusiliers,

The Aberdeen Militia or the Queen's Own Volunteers;Or any other regiment that's lying far awa'Come gie to me the tartan of the gallant Forty Twa.

Chorus:And strolling through the green fields on a summerdayWatching all the country girls working at the hay,I really was delighted and he stole my heart awa'When I saw him in the tartan of the gallant Forty

Twa.

Oh I never will forget the day his regiment marched pastThe pipes they played a lively tune but my heart wasaghast,He turned around and smiled farewell and then from farawa'He waved at me the tartan of the gallant Forty Twa.

Once again I heard the music of the pipers from afarThey tramped and tramped, the weary men

returning from the warAnd as they nearer drew I brushed a woeful tear

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And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above meAnd my grave will warmer, sweeter beIf you'll not fail to tell me that you love meI'll rest in peace until you come to me.

O Danny boy - if words could e'er recall youTo walk again 'neath pagan Irish skiesThen would I sing till voice be taken from meAnd light and life be faded from my eyesGALWAY RACES

As I went down to Galway Town to seek for recreationOn the seventeenth of August,

me mind be'n elevatedThere were multitudes assembled

with their tickets at the stationme eyes began to dazzle

and I'm going to see the races!

With me wack fol the do fol the diddly idle day

There were passengers from Limerickand more from Tipparary

The boys of Connemaraand the Clare unmarried maidens

There were people from Cork Citywho were loyal, true and faithful

Who brought home the Fenian prisonersfrom dying in foreign nations

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And it's there you'll see confectioners

with sugar-sticks and dainties,and lozenges and oranges and lemonade and raisinsand gingerbread and spices

to accommodate the ladiesand a big crubean for tuppence

to be pickin' while you're able

And it's there you'll see the pipersand the fiddlers competing

the nimble-footed dancersas they're tripping on the daisies

and others plying cigarsand lights and bills for all the races

with the colors of the jockeysand the racing horse's ages

And it's there you'll see the jockeysas they mounted up so stately

The blue, the pink, the orange,and green the emblem of our nation

When a bell was rung for startingall the horses seemed impatient

I thought they never stood on groundtheir speed was so amazing!

And there was half a million people thereof all denominations

The Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew, thePresbyterian

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there was yet was no animosity -no matter what persuasion

But cordial hospitalityand choose your fresh acquaintance

GYPSY ROVER

The gypsy rover came over the hillDown through the valley so shady,He whistled and he sang 'til the greenwoods rang,And he won the heart of a lady.

Chorus:Ah-de-do, ah-de-do-da-day,Ah-de-do, ah-de-da-ayHe whistled and he sang 'til the greenwoods rang,And he won the heart of a lady.

She left her father's castle gatesShe left her own fond motherShe left her servants and estate

To follow the gypsy rover.

Her father saddled up his fastest steedroamed the valleys all overSought his daughter at great speedAnd the whistling gypsy rover.

He came at last to a mansion fine,Down by the river ClaydeeAnd there was music and there was wine,

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For the gypsy and his lady.

"He is no gypsy, my father" she said"But lord of these lands all over,And I shall stay 'til my dying dayWith my whistling gypsy rover."

KILGARRY MOUNTAIN

As I was a-walkin' 'round Kilgarry Mountain,I spotted Colonel Farrell

and the money he was countin'.First I drew me pistol and then drew forth my rapier,Said "Stand and deliver for I am your bold deceiver!"

cho: Musha rim rumadoo rumadaWack fall the daddy oh, wack fall the daddy oh

There's whiskey in the jar.

The shiny golden coins did look so bright and jollyI took 'em with me home for to give them to myMolly.She promised and she swore

that she ne'er would deceive me,but the Devil's in that women

and she never can be easy.

I went into me chamber for now to take a slumberTo dream of gold and girls

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and of course it was no wonder.That Molly took me charges

and filled them up with water,and called up Colonel Farrellto get ready for the slaughter.

Early next morning, before I rose to travel,There came a band of footmen

and likewise Colonel Farrell.I flew to me pistols but, alas, I was mistakenfor I couldn't shoot the water

and a prisoner I was taken!

They took me off to jail without a judge or writin'For robbing Colonel Farrell up on Kilgarry Mountain.But they didn't take me fists

so I knocked the sentry down,And bid a fond farewell to the jail in Sligo town.

I'd like to find me brother the one that's in the army,I don't know where he's stationed in Cork or inKillarney.

Together we'd go roving, and commit all kinds offollyand I swear he'd treat me better

than me darlin' lyin' Molly!

There's some takes delight in the fishing or inbowling,others take delight in carriages a-rollin'I take delight in the juice of the barley,

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and courting pretty girls in the morning so early.

JOHNSON'S MOTOR GAR

'Twas down by Brannigan's corner one morning I didstray.I met a fellow rebel and to me he did sayHe had orders from our Captain to assemble atDunbarBut how were we to get there without a motor car?

Oh Barney dear be of good cheer I'll tell you what we'lldo.

The Specials they are plentiful but the I.R.A. are few,We'll send a wire to Johnson to meet us at StranlarAnd we'll give the boys a jolly good drive

in Johnson's Motor Car!

When Dr. Johnson heard the news he soon put on hisshoesHe said this is an urgent case, there is no time tolose!He then put on his castor hat and on his breast a

star,You could hear the din going through Glen Fin

of Johnson's Motor Car!

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But when he got to the Railway Bridge,the rebels he saw there,

Old Johnson knew the game was upfor at him they did stare;He said I have a permit to travel near and far,

To hell with your English permit,we want your motor car!

What will my loyal brethren think when they hear thenewsMy car it has been commandeered

by the rebels at Dunluce,We'll give you a receipt for it, all signed by CaptainBarrAnd when Ireland gets her freedom,

why, you'll get your motor car!Well they put that car in motion and filled it to thebrimWith guns and bayonets shining,

which made old Johnson grim.Then Barney hoisted the Sinn Fein flag

and it fluttered like a star,And we gave three cheers for the I.R.A.

and Johnson's motor car!

GALWAY CITY

As I roved out thro' Galway City,At the hour of twelve at night,Who should I see but a handsome damsel,

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Combing her hair by candlelight."Lassie, I have come a-courtin',

Your kind favours for to win;And if you'll but smile upon me,Next Sunday night I'll call again."

Chorus:Raddy a the toodum, toodum, toodum,Raddy a the toodum, toodum day.[twice]

"So to me you come a-courting,My kind favours for to win;But 'twould give me the greatest pleasureIf you never did call again.What would I do when I go walking,Walking out in the morning dew?What would I do when I go walking,Walking out with a lad like you?"

"Lassie, I have gold and silver,Lassie, I have houses and lands;Lassie, I have ships on the ocean;

They'll be all at your command."What do I care for your ships on the ocean?What do I care for your houses and lands?What do I care for your gold and silver?All I want is a handsome man."

Did ever you see the grass in the morningAll bedecked with jewels rare?Did ever you see a handsome lassie,

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Diamonds sparkling in her hair?Did ever you see a copper kettle

Mended with an ould tin can?Did ever you see a handsome damselMarried up to an ugly man?

KITTY THE ROSE OF KILREA

I've always been a rover and I've never had a careI've courted every lass I've met from Antrim down toClareI've never felt the pain of love 'til Kitty came in onedayNow my every thought is onmy Kitty of Kilrea!(chorus) Oh, I love the rose of Kilreaand one of these days I'll dance her awayshe's stolen me heart and I'm never apartfrom Kitty the rose of Kilrea

Her hair is long and goldenand her eyes are emerald greenshe's well-put-together from head to toeshe's every young man's dreamand all of the boys are chasing herand it's time I made me playwhen I get bold I will propose

to Kitty of Kilrea

In Belfast City I know a lasswith money and with class

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she's says she's waiting to marry mebut I know it wouldn't last

I've told her nice and gentlythat me heart would never strayfrom the rose of County Derryand me Kitty of Kilrea

Now that we are marriedwe have children on our kneea girl just like her mommyand a boy that looks like meand when I hold her in me armsme heart still thumps awaythe King can have his richesI've got Kitty of Kilrea

REILLY'S DAUGHTER

As I was sitting by the fireEating spuds and drinking porterSuddenly a thought came into me headI'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 bigdrum.

Reilly played on the big bass drum

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Reilly had a mind for murder and slaughterReilly had a bright red glittering eye

And he kept that eye on his lovely daughter.

Her hair was black and her eyes were blueThe colonel and the major and the captain soughther

The sergeant and the private and the drummer boy tooBut they never had a chance with Reilly's daughter.

I got me a ring and a parson tooGot me a scratch in a married quarterSettled me down to a peaceful lifeHappy as a king with Reilly's daughter.

Suddenly a footstep on the stairsWho should it be but Reilly out for slaughterWith two pistols in his handsLooking for the man who had married his daughter.

I caught old Reilly by the hairKnocked his head in a pail of waterFired his pistols into the airA damned sight quicker then I married his daughter.

RISING OF THE MOON

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"Oh tell me, Sean O'Farrell, tell me why you hurryso?"

"Hush mavoughal, hush and listen,"and his cheeks were all aglow"I've got orders from the captain,

get you ready quick and soonWith your pike upon your shoulder

- for the rising of the moon"

Chorus:By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moonwith your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of themoon

"Then tell me, Sean O'Farrell, where the gatherin' is tobe?""Near the old spot by the river,

right well known to you and me""One more word, the signal token?"

"Whistle up the marching tuneFor our pikes must be together

- by the rising of the moon"

From many a mud-walled cabin,eyes were watching through the night

Many a manly heart was throbbin'for the coming morning light

A cry rose along the river,like the banshee's mournful croon

And a thousand pikes were flashingby the rising of the moon

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All along the shining river one black mass of men was

seenAnd above their shining weaponswas our own beloved green

Death to every foe and traitor!Onward, strike the marching tune!

And hurrah me boys for freedom, it's the rising of themoon

Well they fought for dear old Ireland,and full bitter was their fate,

Oh what glorious pride and sorrowfills the name of ninety-eight.

But thank God for beating heartsin mankind's burning noon,

Who will follow in their footsteps,at the rising of the moon.

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