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The Proclaimers (a Scottish band)
When I wake up, well I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who wakes up next to you When I go out, yeah,I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who goes along with you.
If I get drunk, well I know I’m gonna be, I’m goona be the man who gets drunk next to you. And If I haver, hey, I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who’s havering to you.
CHORUS But I would walk 500 miles And I would walk 500 more Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles To fall down at your door.
When I’m working, yes, I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who’s working hard for you. And when the money comes in for the work I do, I’ll pass almost every penny on to you.
When I come home (when I come home), well I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who comes back home to you. And if I grow, well I know I’m gonna be I’m gonna be the man who’s growing old with you.
CHORUS
When I’m lonely, well I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who’s lonely without you. And when I’m dreaming, well I know I’m gonna dream, I’m gonna dream about the time when I’m with you.
When I go out (when I go out), yes I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be he man who goes along with you. And when I come home (when I come home), yes I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who comes back home to you.
CHORUS
Traditional
And who are you, me pretty fair maid And who are you, me honey? And who are you, me pretty fair maid And who are you, me honey? She answered me quite modestly, "I am me mother's darling."
CHORUS With me too-ry-ay Fol-de-diddle-day Fol-de-diddle-da-de-diddle Dai-rie oh.
So I went to her house in the middle of the night When the moon was shining clearly ( repeat ) She opened the door and she let me in And devil the one did hear us.
She took me horse by the bridle and the bit And she led him to the stable ( repeat ) Saying "There's plenty of oats for a soldier's horse, To eat it if he's able."
Then she took me by the lily-white hand And she led me to the table ( repeat ) Saying "There's plenty of wine for a soldier boy, To drink it if you're able."
Then I got up and made the bed And I made it nice and easy ( repeat ) Then I got up and I laid her down Saying "Lassie, are you able?"
And there we lay till the break of day And devil a one did hear us ( repeat ) Then I got up and put on me clothes Saying "Lassie, I must leave you."
And when will you return again And when will we get married ( repeat ) (yeah right) When broken shells make Christmas bells We might well get married.
BACK HOME IN DERRY Top And it’s Oh Oh I wish I was back home in Derry.
Mike Campbell
I went to the bar after working all day And ordered a dark Guinness beer But the yuppies were chatting so thick on their cell phones I guess the barman didn’t hear He brought me a glass and a tall boy of Bud And set them down in front of me Well I coughed and I spluttered in pure disbelief And sang out this chorus with glee
CHORUS Put that Budweiser back in the Clydesdale It’s not the right flavor for me The color’s all wrong and there’s not enough foam It’s got all the kick of weak tea Now pour me a pint of that good Guinness stout With color you cannot see through Put that Budweiser back in the Clydesdale, boys And bring me a beer that is true
Then the waitress came by when I finished my first one An angry young woman named Jill She snatched up my empty without even looking And went off to find a refill Then she brought back a glass of some pale liquid garbage And said “Here’s the Bud you asked for,” Well I gave her a glare that would knock down a horse And sang out this chorus once more
So if ever you’re seeking a beer with good flavor To finish your day or your meal If they serve you a Millers a Coors or a Bud Or some other brand that ain’t real If the “King of Beers” is the only selection I hope that you’ll answer like this Put that Budweiser back in the Clydesdale, boys I won’t drink twelve ounces of… that lousy beer
BLACK VELVET BAND Traditional
CHORUS Her eyes they shone like diamonds You’d think she was queen of the land And her hair hung over her shoulder Tied up with a black velvet band
IN a neat little town they call Belfast Apprenticed to trade I was bound And many an hour’s sweet happiness I spent in that neat little town
Til bad misfortune came o’er me That caused me to stray from the land Far away from me friends and relations To follow the black velvet band
Well I was strolling out one evening Not meaning to go very far When I met with a pretty young damsel Who was selling her trade in the bar
When a watch she took from a customer And slipped it right into my hand Then the Watch came and put me in prison Bad luck to the black velvet band
Next morning before judge and jury For trial I had to appear The judge he said ”You young fellow, The case against you’s quite clear
And seven long year’s is your sentence You’re going to Van Diemen’s land Far away from your friends and relations To follow the black velvet band
So come all you jolly young fellows I’d have you take warning by me When ever you’re out on the liquor, me lads Beware the pretty colleen
She’ll fill you with whiskey and porter Until you’re unable to stand And the very next thing you know, me lads You’ve landed in Van Diemen’s land
BONNY SHIP THE DIAMOND Top Traditional The Diamond is a ship, my lads, for the Davis Strait she's bound CHORUS
Traditional
'Tis of a brave young highwayman this story I will tell His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell It was on the Kilwood Mountain he commenced his wild career And many a wealthy nobleman before him shook with fear
CHORUS It was Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor
One day upon the highway as young Willie he went down He met the mayor of Cashiell a mile outside of town The mayor he knew his features and he said, Young man, said he Your name is Willie Brennan, you must come along with me
Now Brennan's wife had gone to town provisions for to buy And when she saw her Willie she commenced to weep and cry Said, Hand to me that tenpenny, as soon as Willie spoke She handed him a blunderbuss from underneath her cloak
Now with this loaded blunderbuss - the truth I will unfold - He made the mayor to tremble and he robbed him of his gold One hundred pounds was offered for his apprehension there So he, with horse and saddle to the mountains did repair
Now Brennan being an outlaw upon the mountains high With cavalry and infantry to take him they did try He laughed at them with scorn until at last 'twas said By a false-hearted woman he was cruelly betrayed
They hanged Brennan at the crossroads, in chains he hung and dried But still they say that, in the night, some do see him ride They see him with his blunderbuss, all in the midnight chill Along, along the King's highway rides Willie Brennan still!
CHORUS My name is Captain Kidd as I sailed as I sailed My name is Captain Kidd as I sailed My name is Captain Kidd and God‘s laws I did forbid And most wickedly I did as I sailed
My father taught me well to shun the gates of Hell But against him I rebelled as I sailed He shoved a bible in my hand but I left it in the sand As I pulled away from land as I sailed
I murdered William Moore and I left him in his gore Twenty leagues away from shore as I sailed And being crueler still, his gunner I did kill Oh his precious blood did spill as I sailed
I was sick and nigh to death and I vowed with every breath To walk in Wisdom‘s path as I sailed But my repentance lasted not and my vows I soon forgot Oh damnation is my lot as I sailed
To the execution dock, lay my head upon the block The laws no more I‘ll mock as I sailed So take warning here and heed to avoid bad company Or you‘ll end up just like me as I sailed
COME OUT YE BLACK AND TANS Top
Oh, come out you black and tans
COURTING IN THE KITCHEN Top
CHORUS With me toora loora lay and me toora loora laddie And me toora loora lay and me toora loora laddie She flew up of my knees full 5 feet up or higher And over head and heals threw me slap into the fire My new repealer’s coat the I bought from Mr. Mitchell For a 30 shilling note went to blazes in the kitchen
DANNY BOY Top Traditional
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
DIGGY LIGGY TopDiggy Liggy Li and Diggy Liggy Lo Fell in love at the fay-do-do Her pop was cold and ran the show For Diggy Liggy Li and Diggy Liggy Lo
CHORUS Diggy Liggy Li and Diggy Liggy Lo Fell in love at the fay-do-do No one else could ever show So much love for Diggy Liggy Lo
Now that’s the place you find romance Where they do the Cajun dance Steal a kiss at every chance Show your love with every glance
He finally went and seen her pa And now he’s got a pa-in-law Move on with the bayou flow Now they’ve got a little Diggy Liggy Lo
I met my love by the gasworks wall I dreamed a dream by the old canal I kissed my girl by the factory wall Dirty old town, dirty old town
Clouds are drifting all across the moon Cats are prowling all along the beat Springs a girl from the streets at night Dirty old town, dirty old town
Heard a siren coming from the dock Saw a train set the night on fire Smelled the spring in the smoky air Dirty old town, dirty old town
I'm going to take a good sharp ax Shining steel tempered in the fire Gonna chop you down like an old dead tree Dirty old town, dirty old town
Do, the stuff that buys my beer Ray, the guy who pours my beer Me, the one who drinks my beer Far, a long way to the john So, I’ll have another beer La, I’ll have another beer Tea, no thanks I’ll have a beer Which brings us back to…
DONALD WHERE’S YOUR TROOSERS? Top
I just came down from the Isle of Skye I’m no very big and I’m awful shy All the lassies shout as I walk by “Donald, where’s your troosers?”
CHORUS Let the wind blow high and the wind blow low Through the streets in my kilt I go All the lassies cry “Hello! Donald where’s your troosers?”
I went to a fancy ball It was slippery in the hall I was feared that I may fall Because I had nae on my troosers
CHORUS
I went down to London town To have a little fun in the Underground All the ladies turned around, saying “Donald where’s your troosers?”
CHORUS
The lassies love me every one But they must catch me if they can You canna put the breeks on a highland man, saying, “Donald where’s your troosers?”
Traditional
CHORUS Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Earl-eye in the morning
Lyrics change, but here are a few:
Put him in a long-boat till he's sober
Put him in the scuppers with a hose-pipe on him.
Put him in charge of an Exxon tanker
Shave his legs and call him Mary
Give him the hair of the dog that bit him
Take 'im and shake 'im and try an' wake 'im.
Give 'im a dose of salt and water.
Shave his belly with a rusty razor.
Put him in the guard room till he gets sober.
What shall we do with the nagging housewife Put her in bed with the drunken sailor!
All the little boats are gone from the banks of Anna Liffey And the ferrymen are stranded on the quay Oh the Dublin docks are dying and a way of life is gone And Molly it was part of you and me
CHORUS Where the strawberry beds sweep down to the Liffey You kiss away the worries from my brow Oh I loved you well today, and I’ll love you more tomorrow If you ever loved me Molly love me now
Twas the only job I knew, it was hard but never lonely The Liffey Ferry made a man of me But it’s gone without a whisper, forgotten even now And it’s over Molly, over can’t you see
So now I’ll tend the yard and spend me days a talking I’ll hear them whisper Charlie’s on the dole Oh but Molly we’re still living and darling we’re still young And that river never owned my heart and soul
Pete St. John
By a lonely prison wall, he heard a young girl calling "Michael, they have taken you away, For you stole Trevelyan's corn, So our child might see the morn. Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay."
CHORUS Low lie the fields of Athenry Where once we watched the small free birds fly Our love was on the wing We had dreams and songs to sing It's so lonely round the fields of Athenry.
By a lonely prison wall, she heard a young man calling "Nothing matters, Mary, when you're free Against the famine and the crown, I rebelled, they knocked me down. Now you must raise our child with dignity."
By a lonely harbor wall, she watched the last star falling As the prison ship sailed out against the sky Sure she’ll wait and hope and pray for her love in Botany Bay It's so lonely round the fields of Athenry.
FINNEGAN'S WAKE Top Whack fol the darn O, dance to your partner
The Waterboys
FOLLOW ME UP TO CARLOW Top
Adapted from Steeleye Span
You can hound me now you've found me, but I'm far more cunning than you. Run, run, run I won't give in, I’ll never give in I won't give in, I'll never give in GALWAY GIRL Top
Well I took a stroll on the old long walk On a day-I-ay-I-ay I met a little girl and we stopped to talk On a fine day –I-ay –I-ay
CHORUS And I ask you friends, what’s a fella to do ‘Cause her hair was black and her eyes were blue And I knew right then, I’d be taking a whirl ‘Round the Salthill Prom with a Galway girl
We were halfway there when the rain came down On a day –I-ay –I ay And she asked me up to her flat downtown On a fine soft day-I-ay
CHORUS And I ask you, friend, what’s a fella to do ‘Cause her hair was black and her eyes were blue So I took her hand and I gave it a twirl And I Iost my heart to a Galway girl
When I woke up I was all alone With a broken heart and a ticket home
CHORUS And I ask you friend, tell me what would you do If her hair was black and her eyes were blue I’ve traveled around, I’ve been all over this world Boys, I ain’t never seen nothing like a Galway girl
HARTLEPOOL MONKEY Top
Well it happened up in Hartlepool about the time of France The Emperor Napoleon was leading us a dance When up along the coast came a British man-o-war And the captain’s old pet monkey got washed up on the shore
CHORUS Singing old folks, young folks, every man and each Come and see the Frenchie who’s landed on the beach He’s got long arms, a great long tail and he’s covered all in hair We think that he’s a spy so we’ll hang him in the square
Now the Lord Mayor of Hartlepool was walking down the shore When he saw this funny thing he’d never seen before For sitting in the sand was a little hairy man Clutching a banana in his little hairy hand
Well the mayor fetched the Town Clerk who hurried to the shore There they found this little man where he had been before A crowd had gathered ‘round him ‘cause he was the strangest sight Since the sporting club caught fire on the previous Friday night
Now Constable Parsons, he hurried to the scene He viewed the situation and he licked his pencil clean He said, “Causing a disturbance is a serious offense And everything you say , it will go down in evidence.”
When this little man spoke a funny thing occurred For Constable Parson couldn’t understand a word The reason for his puzzlement the crowd could plainly see This little man’s a foreigner from far across the sea!
So they hung…hung… this little Frenchie from the gallows in the town With a rope…a rope… around his little neck and his tail all hanging down As a warning to Napoleon to make himself a rule Not to send his little hairy spies to dear old Hartlepool
HILLS OF CONNEMARA Top Traditional
CHORUS Gather up the pots and the old tin cans The mash, the corn, the barley and the bran Run like the devil from the excise man Keep the smoke from rising Barney
Now keep your eyes well peeled today The tall, tall men are on their way They’re searching for the mountain Tay In the hills of Connemara
A gallon for the butcher and a quart for John And a bottle for poor old father Tom Just help the poor old dear along In the hills of Connemara
Don’t swing to the left, don’t swing to the right Sure excise men can dance all night Drinking up the Tay ‘til the broad daylight In the hills of Connemara
Now stand your ground and don’t you fall The excise men, they’re at the wall Jesus Christ they’re drinking it all In the hills of Connemara
IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD Top Sean McGowan
If I should fall from grace with god Let me go, boys
I have fallen for another, she can make her own way home And even if she asked me now I’d let her go alone I used to see her up to chapel when she went to Sunday Mass When she’d go up to receive I’d kneel down there and watch her pass (Oh the glory of her ass!)
CHORUS I useta lover, useta lover once - a long long time ago I useta lover, useta lover once - a long long time ago It’s gone, all my lovin is gone Oh ho it’s gone, all my loving is gone
D’you remember her collecting for the church on Christmas Eve? She was on a forty eight hour fast, just water and black tea I walked straight up and made an ostentatious contribution And I winked at her to tell her I’d seduce her on the future (When she’s feeling looser!) And the scuffy girl’s sing….
So now you know the truth of it, she’s no longer my obsession Though the thoughts and dreams I had of her would take six months in confession See I met this young one Friday night and she’s into free expression And her mission is to rid the world of sexual repression (Then we had a session!)
I have fallen for another, she can make her own way home
Well you walk into a city street, you could be in Peru And you hear a distant calling and you know it’s meant for you And you drop what you are doing and you join the merry mob And before you know just where you are, you’re in an Irish pub
CHORUS
They’ve got one in Honolulu, they’ve got in Moscow too They’ve got four of them in Sydney and a couple in Katmandu So whether you sing or pull a pint you’ll always have a job ‘Cause wherever you go around the world you’ll find an Irish pub
The design is fairly simple and it usually works the same You’ll have “Razor Houghton” scoring in the England Ireland game And you know you’re in an Irish pub the minute you’re in the door For a couple of boys with bodhrans will be murdering Christy Moore
Now the owner is Norwegian and the manager comes from Cork And the lad that’s holding up the bar says “only eejits work” He was born and bred in Bolton but his mammy’s from Kildare And he’s going to make his fortune soon and move to County Clare
Now it’s time for me to go, I have to catch me train So I’ll leave you sitting at the bar and face the wind and rain For I’ll have that pint you owe me, unless you’re feeling poor When we meet next month in Roanoke at a pub called Annie Moore’s
Tom Waits
Edna million in a drop dead suit Hey little bird, fly away home Lyrics by Molly Maguire
While going the road to sweet Athy, Haroo, haroo With drums and guns and guns and drums, Haroo, Haroo noseless, chickenless egg
I'll tell you a story that happened to me One day, as I went down to Cork by the Lee: The sun, it was bright, and the day, it was warm. Says I, "A quiet pint wouldn't do me no harm".
I went to the barman; I says, "Give me a stout!" - Says the barman, "I'm sorry: the beer is sold out; Try whiskey or vodka ten years in the wood" - Says I, "I'll try cider - I heard that it's good".
CHORUS O never! O never! O never again! If I live to a hundred or a hundred and ten! For I fell to the ground, and I couldn't get up, After drinking a pint of that Johnny Jump Up!
After lowering the third, I headed straight for the yard, Where I bumped into Brophy, the big civic guard. "Come here to me, boy - don't you know I'm the law?"; Well I up with my first, and I shattered his jaw!
He fell to the ground with his knees doubled up, But it wasn't I hit him; 'twas the Johnny Jump up! The next thing I saw, down in Cork by the Lee, Was a cripple on crutches, and says he to me.
"I'm afraid for my life - I'll be struck by a car! Would you help me across to the Railwaymen's Bar?" And, after three pints of that cider so sweet, He threw down his crutches, and he danced on his feet.
I went down the Lee Road a friend for to see. They had him in a madhouse in Cork by the Lee. And, when I got there - the truth I do tell - They had the poor bugger locked up in a cell!
Says the guard testing him, "Say these words, if you can: 'Round the ragged rocks the ragged rascal ran' " - "Tell them I'm not crazy! Tell them I'm not mad! 'Twas only six pints of that cider I had!"
A man died in the Union by the name of McNabb. They washed him and laid him outside on a slab, And, after the coroner his measurements did take, His wife took him home to a bloody fine wake.
'Twas about twelve o'clock, and the beer, it was high, When the corpse, he sat up, and he said, with a sigh, "I can't get to Heaven! They won’t let me up Till I bring them a pint of the Johnny Jump Up!".
Lemme tell you a little story about a man named Johnny Tarr He was a hard drinking son of a preacher, always at the bar Lager from the tap or shots of Paddy from the shelf He could open his throttle and throw back a bottle as quick as the devil himself … Johnny Tarr!
Now word got around that Johnny Tarr was no pretender From Clare to here they’d lock up the beer when Johnny went on a bender Down at Dickey Mack’s, the Rising Sun, or at the Swan He was drinking at seven by ten to eleven well all of the booze would be gone….Johnny Tarr!
CHORUS Even if you saw it yourself, you wouldn’t believe it And I wouldn’t trust a person like me if I were you Sure I wasn’t there, and I swear I have an alibi I heard it from a man who knows a fella who says it’s true!
It was nine in the morning on a cold rainy night Johnny rolled into the Castle Bar, looking to get tight He had money in his pocket, he had whiskey in his eye He said: get up off your asses and set up the glasses, I’m drinking this place dry! Johnny Tarr!
Now all the serious boozers, they were soon broken hearted When Johnny finished off six, and he was only getting started Guzzling down the pints, knocking em back like candy He was lookin’ alright to be drinking all night, then Nora brought out the brandy! Johnny Tarr!
Johnny drank the whole damn bottle, had another pint or two When it made no impression he started a session with Scruffy Murphy’s home brew He was waiting for a pint when his face turned green: Jesus, Johnny fell down after only fifteen!
You could have heard a pin drop, as the crowd let out a roar It took five Cork women to lift Johnny off the floor! Well the doctor looked him over and said “Better call the hearse But it’s not what you’re thinking, it wasn’t the drinkin - this man died of thirst!” Johnny Tarr!
CHORUS Oh won't you come along with me love Come along with me! Come for one night and be my wife And come along with me
Well it is of the jolly butcher as you might plainly see As he roved out one evening in search of company He went into a tavern and a fair girl he did see Ah come for one night, be my wife, oh come along with me
Well he called for a candle to light their way to bed And when he had her in the room these words to her he said, "A sovereign I will give to you, for to embrace your charms And all that night, that fair young maid, lied in the butchers' arms
Oh, early the next morning before he went his way He looked unto that fair young maid and unto her did say, "That sovereign that I gave to you, now do not think me strange, Well that sovereign that I gave to you will you give me back me change!"
Well about a 12 months later as he roved out once more He went into the tavern where he hade been before He wasn't in there very long when his fair maid he did see And she came with a baby three months old and placed it on his knee
And when he saw that baby, he began to curse and swear And he said unto that fair young maid, "Just why’d you bring him here?!" She said "He is your own, kind sir, and do not think me strange, But that sovereign that you gave to me, well I gives you back your change!!"
Twigger, Murphy, Wehmeyer, Reid
Old songs and old stories they keep us alive Without our past, we would never survive I am my island, my island is me So you know what you can do If you don’t like what you see
CHORUS Kiss me I’m Irish I am the Wild Rover My eyes they are smiling And I’m seldom sober I like my whiskey And I love to dance So if you’re feeling as lucky as me Take a chance… And kiss me I’m Irish
My Heart beats a jig and me blood it flows green I’ve been a rogue and a rambler from ocean to sea. And I like a ‘bevy’, now and then, that I’ll never deny But I only drink on the days of the week that end with a ‘Y’ I’m no saint, I’m no sinner, of that there’s no doubt. I’ll tell ya the truth I am the one That your grandmother warned you about!
Repeat Chorus
Dublin, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Cork Kerry, Chicago, Armagh and New York Belfast and Boston, Donegal and DC Raise your glasses and sing, sing, sing with me!
Repeat Chorus 2x
LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL Top
Farewell to Prince’s landing stage River Mersey fare thee well I am bound for California A place I know right well
CHORUS So fare thee well my own true love When I return united we will be (WE WILL BE!) It’s not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me But my darling when I think of thee
I’ve signed on a Yankee clipper ship Davy Crockett is her name And Burgess is the captain of her And they say she’s a floating shame
I have sailed with Burgess once before And I think that I know him quite well If a man is a sailor he will get along If not, he’s in a floating hell
The sun is on the harbor, love And I wish that I could remain I know it’ll be a long, long time Before I see you again
CHORUS Aha me boys a riddle-i-day
Lukey’s boat is painted green, Aha me boys Lukey’s boat is painted green It’s the prettiest boat that you’ve ever seen Aha me boys a riddle –i- day
Ah says Lukey the blinds are down, Aha me boys Ah says Lukey the binds are down Me wife is dead and she’s on the ground Aha me boys a riddle-i-day
Ah says Lukey I don’t care, Aha me boys Ah says Lukey I don’t care I’ll get me another in the spring of the year
Lukey’s trying to sail away, Aha me boys Lukey’s trying to sail away But his boat’s still tied up to the quay Aha me boys a riddle-i-day
Ah says Lukey have no fear, Aha me boys Ah says Lukey have no fear My head still hurts from last night’s beer Aha me boys a riddle-i-day
Lukey’s boat is painted green, Aha me boys Lukey’s boat is painted green It’s the prettiest boat that you’ve ever seen Aha me boys a riddle –i- day
MAIDS WHEN YOU’RE YOUNG TopNEVER WED AN OD MAN Traditional
An old man came courting her Hey dinga doorum di An old man came courting her She being young An old man came courting her Saying he’ll marry her Maids when you’re young never wed an old man
CHORUS Because they’ve got no faloorum Fal diddle fal doorum They’ve got no faloorum Fal diddle fal day…… They’ve got no faloorum They’ve lost their ding doorum Maids when you’re young never wed an old man
Now when they went to church Hey dinga doorum di Now when they went to church She being young Now when they went to church Down the aisle he did lurch Maids when you’re young never wed an old man
Now when they went to bed Hey dinga doorum di Now when they went to bed She being young Now when they went to bed He lay if he were dead Maids when you’re young never wed an old man
She threw her leg over him Hey dinga doorum di She threw her leg over him She being young She threw her leg over him Damn nearly smothered him Maids when you’re young never wed an old man
Now when he went to sleep Hey dinga doorum di Now when he went to sleep She being young Now when he went to sleep Out of bed she did creep And into the arms of a handsome young man
And she found his faloorum Fal diddle fal doorum She found his faloorum Fal diddle fal day She found his faloorum He got her ding doorum Maids when you’re young never wed an old man
Traditional
CHORUS Step we gaily on we go Heel for heel and toe for toe Arm in arm and row on row All for Mairi’s wedding
Over hillways up and down Myrtle green and bracken brown Past the sheilings through the town All for sake of Mairi
Red her cheeks as rowans are Bright her eyes as any star Fairest of them all by far Is our darling Mairi
Plenty herring, plenty meal Plenty peat to fill her creel Plenty bonny bairns as well That’s the toast for Mairi
Traditional
CHORUS
Now the weddin's on a Wednesday and everything's arranged
Well I was a lad in the fishing town An old man said to me You can spend your life, your jolly life just sailing on the seas You can search the world for pretty girls till your eyes are weak and dim But don’t go searching for a mermaid son if you don’t know how to swim
CHORUS Cause her hair was green as seaweed Her skin was blue and pale Her face it was a work of art I love that girl with all my heart But I only liked the upper part I did not like the tail
So I signed on to a whaling ship My first very day at sea I seen a mermaid in the waves Reaching out to me Come live with me in the sea she said Down on the ocean floor I’ll show you a million wondrous things that you never seen before
So over I jumped and she pulled me down Down to her seaweed bed And a pillow made of a turtle shell she placed beneath my head She fed me shrimp and caviar upon a silver dish From her head to her waist it was just my taste But the rest of her was fish
Cause her hair was green as seaweed Her skin was blue and pale Her face it was a work of art I love that girl with all my heart But I only liked the upper part I did not like the tail
But then one day she swam away So I sang to the clams and the whales Oh how I miss her seaweed hair And the silver shine of her scales But then her sister she swam by And set my heart awhirl Cause her upper part was an ugly fish But her bottom part was a girl
CHORUS Yes her hair is green as seaweed Her skin is blue and pale Her legs they are a work of art I love that girl with all my heart I don’t give a damn about the upper part Cause that’s how I get my TAIL
When I was a young man with all my life ahead Walking the streets with my Nelly I met this old sailor who said you should be dead If you don’t have a Guinness in your belly
CHORUS My Goodness my Guinness I’ll have another pint Something is shaking in my belly And if I want to fix it I’ll have another pint And drink it with my darling Nelly
I went into the pub to have another round Four pints of Guinness in my belly But when I finished ten, I was lying on the ground Crawling home to my darling Nelly
Some friends and I in a public house Were playing dominoes one night When into the room a fireman came His face all chalky white “What’s up?” says Brown, “Have you seen a ghost?” “Have you seen your Aunt Mariah?” “Oh my aunt Mariah be buggered,” says he. “The bleeding pub’s on fire!”
“On fire?” says Brown, “What a bit of luck Everybody follow me; It’s down in the cellar if the fire’s not there. Then we’ll have a grand old spree.” So we went down with good old Brown And the booze we could not miss And we hadn’t been there ten minutes or more Till we were fairly ….
CHORUS Oh, there was Brown, WHERE? UP SIDE DOWN! Lappin’ up the whiskey off the floor YUM YUM (ladies say) Oh, booze – BOOZE! (men say) The firemen cried, As they came a knock at the door! KNOCK TWICE “Well don’t let em in till it’s mopped up Somebody shouted , “MacIntyre!” MACINTYRE!!! And we all got blue blind paralytic drunk When the Old Dun Cow caught fire
The Smith ran over to the port wine tub And he gave it just a few hard knocks— KNOCK KNOCK He started taking off his pantaloons Likewise his shoes and socks “Oh no says,” says Brown, That aint allowed You can’t do that in there, Don’t be washing your trotters in the port wine tub When we’ve got some ……. beer”
CHORUS
Just then there came a mighty crash And half the bloody room gave way And we were drowned by the fireman’s hose All pisskey, wet and gay So we got some tacks and some wet old sacks And we pinned ourselves inside And we sat there getting blind bleary-eyed drunk While The Old Dun Cow got fried
CHORUS
NANCY WHISKEY Top
As I went down through Glasgow city Just to see what I might spy What should I see but Nancy Whiskey A playful twinkle in her eye
CHORUS Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Ohh
I bought her, I drank her, I had another Nancy had a spell on me Then she wreck’ered me, Nancy Whiskey For seven years, a rollin' wheel
The more I held her, the more I loved her Nancy had her spell on me All I knew was Nancy Whiskey The things I needed I could not see
As I awoke to slake my thirst As I tried crawling from my bed I fell down flat, I could not stagger Nancy had me by the legs
Come on now lady, what's the owing Tell me what there is to pay Fifteen shillings that's the real rate going Now pay me quickly and go away
NEW YORK GIRLS Top
As I was going down the Broadway One evening last July I met a maid she asked me trade And a sailor lad says I
CHORUS And away Shanty, My dear Annie Oh, you New York Girls, Can you dance the polka?
To Tiffany's I took her I did not mind expense I bought her two gold earrings And they cost me fifteen cents
Says she, 'You fine new sailor Now take me home you may' But when we reached her cottage door She this to me did say
My flash man he's a Yankee With his hair cut short behind He wears a pair of tall sea-boots And he sails in the Blackbowline
He's homeward bound this evening And with me he will stay So get a move on, sailor-boy Get cracking on your way
So I kissed her hard and proper Afore her flash man came And fare ye well, me Bowery gal I know your little game
I wrapped me glad rags round me And to the docks did steer I'll never court another maid I'll stick to rum and beer
I joined a Yankee blood-boat And sailed away next morn Don't ever fool around with gals You're safer off Cape Horn
NIGHT PAT MURPHY DIED Top That's how they showed their respect for Paddy Murphy But everyone but poor ole Mrs. Murphy was half souced. They stopped the hearse on George Street outside Sundance Saloon
Someone asked ole Finnegan if anyone had died Looks say he I just came for the ride They walked up to the graveyard all in a very straight line Written by Hallet
I drank 16 doubles for the price of one tryin to find the courage to talk to one I asked her for a dance, not a second glance my night had just begun
Well I‘d drink to the father or the holy ghost kneeling at the alter of my nightly post and I’ll raise a glass, not the first or last come join me in this toast
CHORUS ’Cause the old black rum’s got a hold on me like a dog wrapped ’round my leg and the old black rum’s got a hold on me will I live for another day
The queen of George Street just went walkin’ on by walkin’ on by with some guy who don’t care that she stood in line since half past nine and spent three hours on her hair Her friend is lookin’ at me with an evil grin I think a bloody racket might soon begin I must have said something to the George Street queen now the boys are joining in.
So I drank all of my money and I slept out in the rain Every day is different, but the nights are all the same You never see the sun on the old black rum and I know I’m gonna do it again.
I drank 16 doubles for the price of one
Traditional
Twas a cold and dreary morning in December And all of me money being spent What a day it was I hardly can remember So down to the shipping office I went
That day there was a great demand for sailors For the Colonies, for ‘Frisco and for France So I signed myself on board a Yankee whaler And got paralytic drunk on ym advance
CHORUS Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back) Take in the stack (Take in the stack) Turn a turn around the capstan, heave up all (heave up all) About ship’s stations boys be hand (be handy) For we’re bound for Valparaiso round the Horn
Now some of our fells had been drinking (been drinking) And meself was heavily on the booze (on the booze) So I sat upon me old sea chest a-thinking (-thinking) That I’d turn into me bunk and have a snooze
I wished I was myself inside a tavern (a tavern) Along with Irish paddies drinking beer (drinking beer) Then I thought what a jolly lot are sailors (sailors) And with me flipper I wiped away a tear
PUB DOWN IN THE VALLEY TopWritten by Scruffy Murphy from a traditional song
CHORUS Hey Ho the good ‘ole pub The pub down in the valley-o A fine pub, a good old pub A pub down in the valley-o
Now in this pub there was a floor A big floor, a wooden floor Floor in the pub, the pub down in the valley-o
Now on this floor there was a drunk A big drunk, a sleepy drunk Drunk on the floor, floor in the pub, pub down in the valley-o
Now on this drunk there was a glass A pint glass, a frosty glass Glass on the drunk, drunk on the floor, floor in the pub, Pub down in the valley-o
Now in this glass there was some beer Good beer, damn good beer Beer in the glass, glass on the drunk, drunk on the floor, Floor in the pub, pub down in the valley-o
Now in this beer there was a tongue A red tongue, a sloppy tongue Tongue in the beer, beer in the glass, glass on the drunk, Drunk on the floor, floor in the pub, pub down in the valley-o
Now on this tongue there was a dog Thirsty dog, a scruffy dog Dog on the tongue, tongue in the beer, beer in the glass, Glass on the drunk, drunk on the floor, floor in the pub, pub down in the valley-o
Andy Stuart of Silly Wizard
CHORUS
O I see the host of fleet foot men, who march with faces wan, From farmstead and from fishers' cot, along the banks of Ban; They come with vengeance in their eyes. Both bright and sad are they, For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.
When last this narrow street he stepped, his shining pike in hand Behind him marched, in grim array, a stalwart earnest band. To Antrim town! To Antrim town, he led them to the fray, Oh Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.
There's never a one of all your dead more bravely died in fray Than he who marches to his fate on the bridge of Toome today; True to the last! True to the last, he treads the upwards way, Oh Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.
SANTIANO Top CHORUSHeave her up and away we’ll go, away Santiano Heave her up and we’ll go, we’re bound for Californ-io
Have you heard the latest news Away Santiano The Yanks have taken Vera Cruz All along the plains of Mexico
Sailing out of Liverpool Away Santiano The winds were up and the holds were full We’re bound for Californio, So!
We’ve a mighty fine ship and a mighty fine crew Away Santiano And a mighty fine man for a captain too We’re bound for Californio.
Santiano has ten thousand men Away Santiano Santiano has ten thousand All along the plains of Mexico, So!
When I leave this ship I’ll settle down Away Santiano And marry a girl named Sally Brown All along the plains of Mexico, So!
A Scotsman clad in kilt left the bar one evening fair And one could tell by the way he walked he'd drunk more than his share He staggered on until he could no longer keep his feet Then stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street.
CHORUS Ring ding diddle diddle i de o, ring di diddle i o (repeat last line of verse)
Later on two young and lovely girls just happened by, And one says to the other with a twinkle in her eye You see yon sleeping Scotsman so young and handsome built I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilt.
They crept up to the sleeping Scotsman quiet as could be Then lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see And there behold for them to view beneath his Scottish skirt Twas nothing but what God had graced him with upon his birth
They marveled for a moment then one said we'd best be gone But let's leave a present for our friend before we move along They took a blue silk ribbon and they tied it in a bow Around the bonnie spar the Scot's lifted kilt did show
The Scotsman woke to nature's call and stumbled towards a tree Behind a bush he lifts his kilt and gawks at what he sees Then in a startled voice he says to what's before his eyes He said, "Lad I don't know where you've been but I see you won first prize"
As I came home on a MONDAY night as drunk as drunk could be HEY WIFE! (What do you want you ………….) Will you kindly tell to me HEY WIFE! (What do you want you ………….) Will you kindly tell to me HEY WIFE! (What do you want you ………….) Will you kindly tell to me HEY WIFE! (What do you want you ………….) Will you kindly tell to me HEY WIFE! (What do you want you ………….) Will you kindly tell to me HEY WIFE! (What do you want you ………….) Will you kindly tell to me HEY WIFE! (What do you want you ………….) Will you kindly tell to me
SHAMROCK CITY Top Terry Clark
There’s a band tonight down in Shamrock City Where the girls of Limerick are much too pretty Joe Cooley’s reel on accordion Like the blues with a touch of O’Carolan Livign on the edge Living on the edge On the edge of the Shamrock Coty
There’s a band tonight down in Shamrock City On the banks of the Hudson, the Thames and the Liffey Some are sober wearing pioneer pins Some drink like fish, you can see their fins Living on the edge Living on the edge On the edge of the Shamrock City
There’s a band tonight down in Shamrock City Young man, this is Mikey—have you seen Kitty? My love she sailed across the foam I aint had no lover since she’s been gone Living on the edge Living on the dge On the edge of the Shamrock City
Living on the edge Living on the edge On the edge of the Shamrock City
There’s a band tonight down in Shamrock City They all play for nothing so put something in the kitty I threw up with a wolf hound’s bark Threw it a bone, it took me to heart Living on the edge Living on the edged On the edge of Shamrock City
Larry Williams
I was slippin and a-slidin with a long tall Sally Peekin and a-hidin, duck back in the alley Don’t wanna rip it up, don’t wanna dance with Annie I’ve got a brand new lover name is Short Fat Fannie
CHORUS Short Fat Fannie she’s my heart’s desire Short Fat Fannie sets my soul on fire On Monday we were married on Blueberry Hill Now we’re so happy and I love her still
One day while I was visitin at Heartbreak Hotel That’s where I met Fanny and sure looked swell I told her that I loved her and I’d never leave her She put her arms around me, ooh she gave me fever
She’s my tutti frutti and I love the child so She watch me like a hound dog everywhere I go Whenever I’m around her watch my p’s and q’s She might step on my blue suede shoes
Well at a honky tonk party just the other night Fannie got jealous and she started a fight Because I was dancing with Mary Lou I had to call Jim Dandy to the rescue
As I came down thru Dublin City at the hour of twelve at night Who should I see but a Spanish lady, washing her feet by candlelight First she washed then she dried them over a fire of amber coals In all my life I ne’er did see a maid so sweet about the soul
CHORUS Whack for the toora loora laddy, whack for the toora loora lay Whack for the toora loora laddy, whack for the toora loors lay
As I came back thru Dublin City as the hour of half past eight Who should I see but the Spanish lady brushing her hair in broad daylight First she tossed it then she combed it, on her lap was a silver comb In all my life I ne’er did see a maid so fair since I did roam
As I came back thru Dublin City as the sun began to set Who should I see but the Spanish lady catching a moth in a golden net When she saw me then she fled me, lifting her petticoat over her knee In all my life I ne’er did see a maid as shy as the Spanish lady
I’ve wandered north and I’ve wandered south through stormy batter up Patrick’s Close Up and around by the Gloucester Diamond and back by Napper Tandy’s house Old age has laid her hand on me, cold as a fire of ashy coals In al my life I ne’er did see a maid so sweet as the Spanish lady
Traditional
Near Banbridge town, in the County Down one morning in July CHORUS From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay At the harvest fair I'll be surely there
I've travelled a bit, but never was hit
STEP IT OUT MARY TOP
In the village of Kilgory there’s a maiden young and fair Her eyes they shone like diamonds, she had long and golden hair
Then a country man came riding up to her father’s gate Mounted on a milk-white stallion, he came at the stroke of eight CHORUS Step it out Mary my fine daughter Step it out Mary if you can Step it out Mary my fine daughter Show your legs to the wealthy man
I have come to wed your daughter, Mary of the golden hair I have gold and I have silver, I have land beyond compare
I will buy her silks and satins and a gold ring for her hand I will buy for her a mansion, she’ll have servants to command
CHORUS
Kind sir I love a soldier, I have pledged to him my hand I don’t want your gold or silver, I don’t want your house or land
Mary’s father spoke up sharply, You will do as you are told You will marry him on Sunday, you will wear his ring of gold
CHORUS
Near the village of Kilgory there’s a deep stream running by They found Mary there at midnight, she had drowned with her soldier boy
In the village there is music, you can hear her father say Step it out Mary my fine daughter, Sunday is your wedding day
If I could hold you tonight I might never let go If I could hold you tonight I might never let go
I like the way you dance and I like the way you paint your lips And if I had a chance to be with you, I wouldn’t slip So hey what do you say, just a thing or two in me Then let’s be on our way, we don’t need no other company
We won’t need no wine and we won’t need no other stuff ‘Cause we’ll be doing fine from being close and tasting love And when the night set ends, we’ll close the curtains way up tight And then we’ll just pretend that it isn’t day, but still the night
There’s fire burning deep down in your eyes And it’s got me almost hypnotized
I like the way you dance and I like the way you paint your lips And if I had a chance to be with you, I wouldn’t slip So hey what do you say, just a thing or two in me Then let’s be on our way, we don’t need no other company
SUNNYSIDE OF THE STREET Top(Shane MacGowan - Pogues)
Seen the carnival at Rome Had the women and I had the booze All I can remember now Is little kids without no shoes So I saw that train and I got on it With a heart full of hate and a lust for vomit Now I’m walking on the sunny side of the street
Stepped over bodies in Bombay Tried to make it to the USA Ended up in Nepal Up on the roof with nothing at all And I knew that day,I was going to stay Right where I am, on the sunny side of the street
Been in a palace, been in a jail I just don’t want to be reborn a snail Just want to spend eternity where I am On the sunny side of the street
As my mother wept, it was then I swore To take my life as I would a whore I know I’m better than before I will not be reconstructed Just wanna stay right here On the sunny side of the street
Have you heard about the big strong man? He lived in a caravan. Have you heard about the Jeffrey Johnson fight? Oh, Lord what a hell of a fight. You can take all of the heavyweights you’ve got. I know a lad that can beat the whole lot. He used to ring bells in the belfry, Now he’s gonna fight Jack Demspey.
CHORUS That was my brother Sylvest WHAT’S HE GOT? A row of forty medals on his chest BIG CHEST! He killed fifty bad men in the west; he knows no rest. Think of a man, hells’ fire, don’t push, just shove, Plenty of room for you and me. He’s got an arm like a leg A LADY’S LEG! And a punch that would sink a battleship BIG SHIP! It takes all of the Army and the Navy to put the wind up SYLVEST!
Now, he thought he’d take a trip to Italy. He thought that he’d go by sea. He dove off the harbor in New York, And swam like a great big shark. He saw the Lusitania in distress. So he put the Lusitania on his chest. He drank all of the water in the sea, And he walked all the way to Italy.
He thought he take a trip to old Japan. So they brought out a big brass band. He played all the instruments they’ve got, What a lad he played the whole lot. And the old church bells will ring (Hells bells!) The old church choir will sing (Hells fire!) They all turned out to say farewell to my big brother Sylvest’.
A long time ago, when the Earth was green There were more kinds of animals than you've ever seen They'd run around free while the Earth was born And the dumbest of them all was the unicorn
CHORUS There were green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, as sure as you're born The dumbest of all was the unicorn
The Lord seen some sinning and it gave Him a pain And He says, "Stand back fellas, cause I'm going to make it rain" Listen up Noah I'll tell you what to do You build me a floating zoo, and get me some…
Green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born Don't you forget My dumb unicorns
Well Noah looked up and he answered the call He finished the ark as the rain began to fall He marched in the animals two by two And he called out as they came through
Hey Boss, I've got green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, But sure as I’m born, I just can’t find the dumb unicorns
And Noah looked out through the pouring rain The unicorns were hiding, playing silly games Kicking and splashing while the rain fell down Oh, them stupid unicorns
There were green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, But sure as I’m born, I just can’t find the dumb unicorns
The ark started moving, it drifted with the tide The unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried And the rain fell down and washed them all away That's why you never see a unicorn today
You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born You're never gonna see a dumb unicorn
As I was going over the Cork and Kerry mountains Saying stand and deliver for you are the bold deceiver
CHORUS Musha rig um du rum da (4 CLAPS)
I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I went into me chamber for to take a slumber
Twas early the next morning before I rose to travel The guards were all around me and likewise Captain Farrell
And if anyone can save me, 'tis my brother in the army
There was a wild colonial boy Jack Duggan 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 shore he was inclined to roam He robbed the rich, he helped the poor, he shot James McAvoy Oh, a terror to Australia was the wild colonial boy
One morning on the prairie as Jack Duggan rode along 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 Duggan come, you see we’re three to one! Surrender in the Queen’s high name, for you are a plundering son!” Jack pulled 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 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 was how they captured him, the wild colonial boy
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, (CLAP X 4) No nay never no more (CLAP x 2) Will I play the wild rover (CLAP X 1) No never no more.
I went to an ale-house I used to frequent And I told the landlady my money was spent. I asked her for credit, she answered me "nay Such a custom as yours I could have any day."
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 if you follow me upstairs boy I’ll show you the rest
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 (forgive) me as ofttimes before Sure I never will play the wild rover no more
WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY Top
I sat within the valley green
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All materials © 2005 Scruffy Murphy |
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