List of Songs

Irish Rover 
Leaving Liverpool 
All For Me Grog 
The Holy Ground
Kelly Of Killann 
Roddy McCorley 
The Mermaid 
A Nation Once Again
The Patriot Game 
Reilly's Daughter 
I'll tell Ma 
The Black Velvet Band
The Wild Colonial Boy 
The Wild Rover 
That's How I Spell Ireland
An Irishman's Dream
Erin, You're Wearin' a Wonderful Smile


Still More Songs...





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.

* This was given to me by Margaret (Peggy) Burke 

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

* This song was sent to me by Mr Ed Leonard 


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)

* This songs was given to me by 'Spike' Maiden Muller (derspike@juno.com) on 03/16/98.




This Page was created on 
March 12, 1998 by
declaris@minerva

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