Luke Kelly (Irish: Lúc Ó Ceallaigh; 17 November 1940 - 30 January 1984) was an Irish singer and folk musician from Dublin, Ireland, notable as a founding member of the band The Dubliners.
Luke Kelly was born into a working class family in Lattimore Cottages, 1 Sheriff Street, a quarter of a mile from Dublin's main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street. His grandmother, who was a McDonald from Scotland, lived with the family until her death in 1953. His father worked all his life in Jacob's biscuit factory and enjoyed playing football. Both Luke and his brother Paddy played club Gaelic football and soccer as children.
He attended the Laurence O'Toole School as a child, and achieved very good grades in most subjects. In 1953 the Dublin Corporation moved the family to Larkhill near Whitehall when their flat was destroyed in a fire, but he continued to attend O'Toole's by taking a bus there every day. Luke left school at thirteen and after four years of odd-jobbing, he went to England in 1958. Working at steel fixing with his brother Paddy on a building site in Wolverhampton, he was sacked after asking for more money. He worked odd jobs from oil barrel cleaning to vacuum salesman.
Wrap[D] the green flag[G] round me[D] boys,
To die were far more[A] sweet,
With[D] Erin's noble[G] emblem[D] boys,
To[G] be my[A] winding[D] sheet,
In[A] life I loved to[D] see it wave
And[G] follow where it[A] led,
But[D] now my eyes grow[G] dim-my[D] hand
Would grasp its[A] last bright[D] shred.
[Chorus]
Then[D] wrap the green flag[G] round me[D] boys,
To die were far more[A] sweet,
With[D] Erin's noble[G] emblem[D] boys,
To[G] be my[A] winding[D] sheet.
And I had hopes to meet you boys,
On many a well fought field,
When to our sacred banner boys,
The traitrous foe would yield,
But now at last I am denied,
My dearest prayer,
You'll follow and you'll meet the foe,
But I shall not be there.
But though my body moulders boys
My spirit will be free,
And every comrade's honour boys
Will yet be dear to me,
And in the thick of bloody fight,
Let not your courage lag
For I'll be there and hovering near,
On Raglan Road on an autumn day
I saw her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare
That I might someday rue
I saw the danger
Yet I walked
Along the enchanted way
And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf
At the dawning of the day
On Grafton Street in November
We tripped lightly along the ledge
Of the deep ravine
Where can be seen
The worth of passion's pledge
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts
And I not making hay
Oh I loved too much
And by such and such
Is hapiness thrown away
I gave her gifts of the mind
I gave her the secret sign
That's known to the artists
Who have known the true gods of sound and stone
And word and tint, I did not stint,
I gave her poems to say.
With her own name there and her own dark hair
Like clouds over fields of May.
On a quiet street where old ghosts meet
I see her walking now
Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow
That I had wooed not as I should
A creature made of clay
When the angel woos the clay he'd lose
As I was going over the far famed Kerry Mountains
I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was
countin'
I first produced my pistol, I then produced my rapier
Said stand and deliver, I am a bold deceiver
Chorus:
Musha ring um a door um da
Whack for the daddi-o, whack for the daddi-o
There's whiskey in the jar
I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I put in me pocket for to take it home to Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive
But the devil take the women for they never can be easy
Chorus
I went into my chamber all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels for sure it was no wonder
But Jenny drew me charges and she filled them all with
water
And sent for Captain Farrell to be ready for the
slaughter
Chorus
'Twas early the morning before I rose to travel
Up comes a band of footmen and likewise Captain Farrell
I first produced me pistol for she'd stolen away my
rapier
I couldn't shoot the water and a prisoner I was taken
Chorus
If anyone can aid me it's me brother in the army
If I could find his station, in Cork or in Killarney
If he will go with me, we'll go rovin' in Killkenny
I'm sure he'll treat me better than me darlin',
sportin' Jenny
Chorus
Some take delight in the hurling and the bowling
And some take delight in the carriages a rollin'
I take delight in the juice of the barley
And courtin' pretty fair maids in the morning bright
and early
The wind doth blow
today my love
A few small drops of rain
Never have I had
but one true love
In cold clay she is laid
I'll do as much
for my true love
As any young man may
I'll sit and mourn
all on her grave
At twelve months and a day
The twelve months and the day being gone
A voice spoke from the deep
Who is it sits
all on my grave
And will not let me sleep
'Tis I, 'tis I,
Thine own true love
Who sits upon your grave
For I crave one kiss
from your sweet lips
And that is all I seek
You crave one kiss
from my clay cold lips
But my breath is earthy strong
Had you one kiss
from my clay cold lips
Your time would not be long
My time be long,
my time be short
Tomorrow or today
May God in heaven
have all my soul
But I'll kiss your lips of clay
See down in yonder garden green
Love where we used to walk
The sweetest flower
that ever grew
Is withered to the stalk
The stalk is withered dry my love
So will our hearts decay
So make yourself
content my love
In my memory I will always see
the town that I have loved so well
Where our school played ball by the gasyard wall
and we laughed through the smoke and the smell
Going home in the rain, running up the dark lane
past the jail and down behind the fountain
Those were happy days in so many, many ways
in the town I loved so well
In the early morning the shirt factory horn
called women from Creggan, the Moor and the Bog
While the men on the dole played a mother's role,
fed the children and then trained the dogs
And when times got tough there was just about enough
But they saw it through without complaining
For deep inside was a burning pride
in the town I loved so well
There was music there in the Derry air
like a language that we all could understand
I remember the day when I earned my first pay
And I played in a small pick-up band
There I spent my youth and to tell you the truth
I was sad to leave it all behind me
For I learned about life and I'd found a wife
in the town I loved so well
But when I returned how my eyes have burned
to see how a town could be brought to its knees
By the armoured cars and the bombed out bars
and the gas that hangs on to every tree
Now the army's installed by that old gasyard wall
and the damned barbed wire gets higher and higher
With their tanks and their guns, oh my God, what have
they done
to the town I loved so well
Now the music's gone but they carry on
For their spirit's been bruised, never broken
They will not forget but their hearts are set
on tomorrow and peace once again
For what's done is done and what's won is won
and what's lost is lost and gone forever
I can only pray for a bright, brand new day
The sun is burning in the sky
Strands of clouds go slowly drifting by
In the park the lazy breeze
Are joining in the flowers, among the trees
And the sun burns in the sky
Now the sun is in the West
Little kids go home to take their rest
And the couples in the park
Are holdin' hands and waitin' for the dark
And the sun is in the West
Now the sun is sinking low
Children playin' know it's time to go
High above a spot appears
A little blossom blooms and then draws near
And the sun is sinking low
Now the sun has come to Earth
Shrouded in a mushroom cloud of death
Death comes in a blinding flash
Of hellish heat and leaves a smear of ash
And the sun has come to Earth
Now the sun has disappeared
All is darkness, anger, pain and fear
Twisted, sightless wrecks of men
Go groping on their knees and cry in pain
Well, in a neat little town they call Belfast,
apprentice to trade I was bound
Many an hours sweet happiness, have I spent in that
neat little town
A sad misfortune came over me, which caused me to stray
from the land
Far away from my friends and relations, betrayed by the
black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll down Broadway, meaning not long for to
stay
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid comes
a tripping along the highway
She was both fair and handsome, her neck it was just
like a swans
And her hair it hung over her shoulder, tied up with a
black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid, and a
gentleman passing us by
Well I knew she meant the doing of him, by the look in
her roguish black eye
A goldwatch she took from his pocket and placed it
right in to my hand
And the very first thing that I said was bad luck to
the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Before the judge and the jury, next morning I had to
appear
The judge he says to me: "Young man, your case it is
proven clear
We'll give you seven years penal servitude, to be spent
faraway from the land
Far away from your friends and companions, betrayed by
the black velvet band"
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
So come all you jolly young fellows a warning take by
When you are out on the town me lads, beware of them
pretty colleens
For they feed you with strong drink, "Oh yeah", 'til
you are unable to stand
And the very next thing that you'll know is you've
landed in Van Diemens Land
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
And come tell me Sean O'Farrell tell me why you hurry
Husha buachaill hush and listen and his cheeks were all
a glow
I bare orders from the captain get you ready quick and
soon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the
moon
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the
moon
And come tell me Sean O'Farrell where the gath'rin is
to be
At the old spot by the river quite well known to you
and me
One more word for signal token whistle out the marchin'
tune
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the
moon
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the
moon
Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching
through the night
Many a manly heart was beating for the blessed warning
light
Murmurs rang along the valleys to the banshees lonely
croon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the
moon
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the
moon
All along that singing river that black mass of men was
seen
High above their shining weapons flew their own beloved
green
Death to every foe and traitor! Whistle out the
marching tune
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of
the moon
'Tis the rising of the moon, 'tis the rising of the
moon
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of
Ring a ring a rosey, as the light declines
I remember Dublin City in the rare ould times
Raised on songs and stories, heroes of renown
The passing tales and glories that once was Dublin Town
The hallowed halls and houses, the haunting childrens
rhymes
That once was part of Dublin in the rare ould times
Ring a ring a rosey, as the light declines
I remember Dublin City in the rare ould times
My name it is Sean Dempsey, as Dublin as can be
Born hard and late in Pimlico, in a house that ceased
to be
By trade I was a cooper, lost out to redundancy
Like my house that fell to progress, my trade's a
memory
And I courted Peggy Dignam, as pretty as you please
A rogue and child of Mary, from the rebel Liberties
I lost her to a student chap, with skin as black as
coal
When he took her off to Birmingham, well she took away
my soul
Ring a ring a rosey, as the light declines
I remember Dublin City in the rare ould times
The years have made me bitter, the gargle dims me brain
Cause Dublin keeps on changing, and nothing seems the
same
The Pillar and the Met have gone, the Royal long since
pulled down
As the grey unyielding concrete, makes a city of my
town
Ring a ring a rosey, as the light declines
I remember Dublin City in the rare ould times
Fare thee well sweet Anna Liffey, I can no longer stay
And watch the new glass cages, that spring up along
decay
My mind's too full of memories, too old to hear new
chimes
I'm part of what was Dublin, in the rare ould times
Ring a ring a rosey, as the light declines
I remember Dublin City in the rare ould times
Ring a ring a rosey, as the light declines
I remember Dublin City in the rare ould times
I[D] must[G] away[D] now,I can no longer[A] tar[D]ry,
This morning's[G] tem[D]pest,I have to[A] cross,
I must be[D] guided,without a[G] stum[D]ble,
Into the[G] ar[D]ms I [A]love the[D] most
And when he came to his true love's dwelling,
He knelt down gently,upon a stone,
And through her window,he whispered lowly
Is my true lover within at home.
Wake up,wake up love it is thine own true lover,
Wake up,wake up love and let me in,
For I am tired love and oh so weary,
And more than near drenched to the skin.
She's raised her up,her down soft pillow,
She's raised her up,and she's let him in,
And they were locked in,each other's arms,
Untill that long night was past and gone.
And when that long night was pased and over
And when the small clouds,began to grow,
He's taken her hand and they kissed ands parted,
Then he saddled and mounted,and away did go.
Make[C] way for the[G] Molly Maguires,thet're
[F]drinkers,they're[G] liars but they're[C] men,
Make[C] way for the[G] Molly Maguires,you'll[F] never see
the[G] likes of them[C] again.
[Am]Down the mine no[Em] sunlight shines,thoes[C] pits
are black as[Am] hell,
In[C] mud and slime they[F] do thier time,it's[G] Paddy's
prison[C] cell.
And they[F] coursed the day they[C] sailed away,and
[F]drowned their tears with a[G] jar.
Backs will break and muscles ache,
Down there theres no time to dream,
Of fields and farms and wimans arms,
Just dig that bloody seam,
Though they break their bodies underground,
None dare to push them around.
Sleep, o babe, for the red bee hums the silent twilight's
fall,
Aoibheall from the grey rock comes, to wrap the world in
thrall.
A leanbhan O, my child, my joy, my own, my heart's
desire,
The crickets sing you lullaby, beside the dying fire.
Dusk is drawn and the Green Man's horn is wreathed in
rings of fog,
Siabhra sails his boat till morn, upon the Starry Bog.
A leanbhan O, the paly moon has ringed her cusp in dew,
And weeps to hear the sad, sweet tune, I sing O love to
A hungry feeling
Came o'er me stealing
And the mice were squealing
In my prison cell
To begin the morning
The warden bawling
"Get up out of bed, boy!
And Clean up your cell!"
And that auld triangle went jingle-jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
On a fine Spring evening
The loike lay dreaming
And the sea-gulls squeeling
High above the wall
Oh! the day was dying
And the wind was sighing
As I lay there crying
In my prison cell
And that auld triangle went jingle-jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
Oh! the screw was peeping
And the loike was sleeping
As he lay there weeping
For his poor gal
And that auld triangle went jingle-jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
In the female prison
There are seventy women
And I wish to god it was with them
That I did dwell
And the auld triangle went jingle-jangle
All along the banks of the Royal Canal
And the auld triangle went jingle-jangle
In the town of Springhill, Nova Scotia,
Down in the dark of the Cumberland Mine,
There's blood on the coal,
And the miners lie,
In roads that never saw sun or sky,
Roads that never saw sun or sky
In the town of Springhill you don't sleep easy,
Often the earth will tremble and roll,
When the earth is restless miners die,
Bone and blood is the price of coal,
Bone and blood is the price of coal.
In the town of Springhill, Nova Scotia,
Late in the year of '58,
The day still comes and the sun still shines,
But it's dark as the grave in the Cumberland mine,
Dark as the grave in the Cumberland Mine.
Three days past when the lamps gave out,
And Kaela Brushton got up and said,
"We've no more water or light or bread,
So we'll live on songs and hope instead,
Live on songs and hope instead."
Listen for the shouts of the black face miners,
Listen through the rubble for the rescue teams,
Three hundred tonnes of coal and slag,
Hope imprisoned in a three foot seam,
Hope imprisoned in a three foot seam.
Twelve days past and some were rescued,
Leaving the dead to lie alone,
Through all their live they dug a grave,
Two miles of earth is a marking stone,
Walking all the day, near tall towers
where falcons build their nests
Silver winged they fly,
they know the call of freedom in their breasts
Saw Black Head against the sky
where twisted rocks they run down to the sea
Living on your western shore,
saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
and sang a song for Ireland
Drinking all the day in old pubs
where fiddlers love to play
Someone touched the bow,
he played a reel
it seemed so fine and gay
Stood on Dingle beach
and cast in wild foam we found Atlantic bass
Living on your western shore,
saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
and sang a song for Ireland
Talking all the day with true friends
who try to make you stay
Telling jokes and news,
singing songs to pass the night away
Watched the Galway salmon run
like silver dancing darting in the sun
Living on your western shore
saw summer sunsets, asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
and sang a song for Ireland
Dreaming in the night I saw a land
where no man had to fight
Waking in your dawn
I saw you crying in the morning light
Lying where the falcons fly,
they twist and turn all in you e'er blue sky
Living on your western shore,
saw summer sunsets asked for more
I stood by your Atlantic sea
See the child
With the golden hair
Yet eyes that snow the emptiness inside
Do we know
Can we understand just how he feels
Or have we really tried
See him now
As he stands alone
And watches children play a children's game
Simple child
He looks almost like the others
Yet they know he's not the same
Scorn not his simplicity
But rather try to love him all the more
Scorn not his simplicity
Oh no
Oh no
See him stare
Not recognizing the kind face
That only yesterday he loved
The loving face
Of a mother who can't understand what she's been guilty
How she cried tears of happiness
The day the doctor told her it's a boy
Now she cries tears of helplessness
And thinks of all the things he can't enjoy
Scorn not his simplicity
But rather try to love him all the more
Scorn not his simplicity
Oh no
Oh no
Only he knows how to face the future hopefully
Surrounded by despair
He won't ask for your pity or your sympathy
But surely you should care
Scorn not his simplicity
But rather try to love him all the more
Scorn not his simplicity
Oh no
Oh no
School days over, come on then John,
Time to be getting your pit boots on,
On with your sark and moleskin trousers,
It's time you were on your way,
Time you were learning the pit man's job
And earning the pit man's pay.
Come on then Jim, it's time to go,
Time you were working down below,
Time to be handling a pick and shovel,
You start at the pits today,
Time you were learning the collier's job
And earning the collier's pay.
Come on then Dai, it's almost light,
Time you were off to the anthracite,
The morning mist is on the valley,
It's time you were on your way,
Time you were learning the miner's job
And earning the miner's pay
School days over, come on then John,
Time to be getting your pit boots on,
On with your sark and moleskin trousers,
It's time you were on your way,
Time you were learning the pit man's job
Far and wide as the eye can wander
Heath and bog are everywhere
Not a bird sings out to cheer us
Oaks are standing, gaunt and bareChorus
We are the peatbog soldiers
We're marching with our spades
To the bog
Up and down the guards are pacing
No one, no one can go through
Flight would mean a sure death facing
Guns and barbed wire greet our view
But for us there is no complaining
Winter will in time be past
One day we shall cry rejoicing
"Homeland dear, you're mine at last!"Final Chorus
Then will the peatbog soldiers
March no more with spades
Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame,
Fareweel our ancient glory;
Fareweel to e'en our Scottish name
Sae fam'd in sang and story.
Now Sark rins tae th' Solway sands,
An' Tweed runs t' th' ocean..
Tae mark whaur England's Province stands:
Sic a parcel of rogues in a nation!
What force or guile could not subdue
Thro' many warlike ages,
Is wrought now by a coward few
For hireling traitor's wages.
The English steel we could disdain,
Secure in valour's station.
But English gold has been our bane:
Sic a parcel of rogues in a nation!
Oh, would or had I seen the day
That treason thus could sell us!
My auld grey head had lien in clay,
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But, pith and power, till my last hour,
I'll make this declaration:
We were bought and sold for English gold!
I[D] must[G] away[D] now,I can no longer[A] tar[D]ry,
This morning's[G] tem[D]pest,I have to[A] cross,
I must be[D] guided,without a[G] stum[D]ble,
Into the[G] ar[D]ms I [A]love the[D] most
And when he came to his true love's dwelling,
He knelt down gently,upon a stone,
And through her window,he whispered lowly
Is my true lover within at home.
Wake up,wake up love it is thine own true lover,
Wake up,wake up love and let me in,
For I am tired love and oh so weary,
And more than near drenched to the skin.
She's raised her up,her down soft pillow,
She's raised her up,and she's let him in,
And they were locked in,each other's arms,
Untill that long night was past and gone.
And when that long night was pased and overm
And when the small clouds,began to grow,
He's taken her hand amd they kissed ands parted,
Then he saddled and mounted,and away did go.
Well, if you've got a wing-o,
Take her up to Ring-o
Where the waxies sing-o all the day;
If you've had your fill of porter,
And you can't go any further
Give your man the order: 'Back to the Quay!'
Chorus:
And take her up to Monto, Monto, Monto
Take her up to Monto, lan-ge- roo,
To you!
The dirty Duke of Gloucester,
The dirty old impostor
Took mot and lost her, up the Furry Glen.
He first put on his bowler
And he buttoned up his trousers,
And he whistled for a growler and he says, 'My man!'
Take me up to Monto, Monto, Monto
Take her up to Monto, lan-ge- roo,
To you!
You see the Dublin Fusiliers,
The dirty old bamboozlers,
They went and got the childer, one, two, three.
Marching from the Linen Hall
There's one for every cannonball,
And Vick's going to send them all, o'er the sea.
But first go up to Monto, Monto, Monto
Take her up to Monto, lan-ge- roo,
To you!
(Extra Verse not in the Luke Kelly Collection!)
When Carey told on Skin-the-goat,
O'Donnell caught him on the boat
He wished he'd never been afloat, the filthy skite.
It wasn't very sensible
To tell on the Invincibles
They stood up for their principles, day and night.
And they all went up to Monto, Monto, Monto
Take her up to Monto, lan-ge- roo,
To you!
Now when the Tsar of Russia
And the King of Prussia
Landed in the Phoenix Park in a big balloon,
They asked the police band
To play 'The Wearin' of the Green'
But the buggers in the depot didn't know the tune.
So they both went up to Monto, Monto, Monto
Take her up to Monto, lan-ge- roo,
To you!
The Queen she came to call on us,
She wanted to see all of us
I'm glad she didn't fall on us, she's eighteen stone.
'Mister Me Lord Mayor,' says she,
'Is this all you've got to show me?'
'Why, no ma'am there's some more to see, Pog mo thoin!'
And he took her up Monto, Monto, Monto
Take her up to Monto, lan-ge- roo,
Well if you got a wingo,
take her up to ringo,
Where the waxies sing o all the day,
If you´ve had your fill of porter,
And you can´t go any further,
Give yer man the order "Back to the Quay"
And take her up to Monto, Monto, Monto,
Take her up to Monto, langeroo, to you.
The Dirty Duke of Gloucester
the dirty old imposter,
Took his mot and lost her up the Furry Glen,
He first put on his bowler,
then he buttoned up his trousers,
And he whistled for a growler
and he said "My man",
Take me up to Monto, Monto, Monto,
Take me up to Monto, langeroo, to you.
You see the Dublin Fusiliers,
the dirty old bamboozileers,
They went to get the childer one, two, three,
Marchin´ from the linenhall
there´s one for every canonball,
And Vicki´s going to send yis all o´er the sea,
But first go up to Monto, Monto, Monto,
First go up to Monto, langeroo, to you.
When the Tzar of Russia
and the King of Prussia,
Landed in the Phoenix Park in a big balloon,
They asked the Police band to play
the Wearing of the Green,
But the buggers in the Depot
didn´t know that tune,
So they both went up to Monto, Monto, Mont,
They both went up to Monto, langeroo, to you.
The Queen she came to call on us,
She wanted to see all of us,
I´m glad she didn´t fall on us,
she´s eighteen stone,
Mr. me Lord Mayor, sez she,
Is this all you´ve got to show to me?
Why no, ma´am, there is more to see,
Póg mo thóin,
And he took her up to Monto, Monto, Monto,
He took her up to Monto, langeroo,
Make way for the Molly Maguires,
B C F
They're drinkers, they're liars, but they're men.
Make way for the Molly Maguires,
B C F
You'll never see the likes of them again.
d F d
Down the mines no sunlight shines, those pits they're
black as hell;
F B F C F
In modest style they do their time, it's Paddy's prison
cell;
d a B C
And they curse the day they travelled far and drown their
tears with a jar
So, make way for the Molly Maguires...
Backs will break and the muscles ache down there there's
four times to three
Of fields afar of a womans arm just dig that bloody seam
Though they drain their bodies and their brow who dare to
push them around.
Well an old man came courting me, hey ding-doorum dow
An old man came courting me, me being young
An old man came courting me, fain he would marry me
Maids when you're young never wed an old man
Chorus:
Because he's got no faloorum, faliddle aye oorum
He's got no faloorum, faliddle dal day
He's got no faloorum, he's lost his ding-doorum
So maids when you're young never wed an old man
When we went to church, hey ding-doorum dow
When we went to church, me being young
When we went to church, he left me in the lurch
Maids when you're young never wed an old man
When we went to bed, hey ding-doorum dow
When we went to bed, me being young
When we went to bed, he lay like he was dead
Maids when you're young never wed an old man
So I threw me leg over him, hey ding-doorum dow
I flung my leg over him, me being young
I threw me leg over him, damn well near smullered him
Maids when you`re young never wed an old man
When he went to sleep, hey ding-doorum dow
When he went to sleep, me being young
When he went to sleep, out of bed I did creep
Into the arms of a handsome young man
And I found his faloorum, faliddle aye oorum
I found his faloorum, faliddle aye ay
I found his faloorum, he got my ding-doorum
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you and me
Says I, 'But Joe, you're ten years dead'
'I never died', says he
'I never died', says he.
In Salt Lake, Joe, says I
Him standing by my side
'They framed you on a murder charge'
Says Joe, 'I never died'
Says Joe, 'I never died.'
The copper bosses they shot you, Joe,
They filled you full of lead
'Takes more than guns to kill a man'
Says Joe, 'And I ain't dead'
Says Joe, 'And I ain't dead.'
And standing there as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Says Joe, 'What they forgot to kill'
'Went on to organize'
'Went on to organize.'
Joe Hill ain't dead, he says to me
Joe Hill ain't never died
Where working man are out on strike
Joe Hill is at their side
Joe Hill is at their side.
In San Diego up to Maine
In every mine and mill
Where working men defend their rights
It's there you'll find Joe Hill
It's there you'll find Joe Hill.
I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you and me
Says I, But Joe, you're ten years dead
I never died, says he
HOME BOYS HOME
Ah, well who wouldn't be a sailor lad, a sailin' on the
main
To gain the good will of his Captain's good name
He came ashore, one evening from the sea
And that was beginning of me own true love and me
Chorus:
And it's home boys, home
Home I'd like to be, home for awhile
In me own country, where the oak and the ash and the
bonny rowan tree
Are all a growin' greener, in the North Country
I asked her for a candle for to light me way to bed
Likewise for a handkerchief to tie around me head
She tended to me needs, like a young maid ought to do
Then I says to her, why don't you jump in with me too
Chorus
She jump into bed and makin' no alarm,
Thinking a young sailor lad could do to her no harm
I hugged her; I kissed her, the whole night long
Till she wished the short night had been seven years
long
Chorus
Early next morning the sailor lad arose
And into Mary's apron, threw a handful of gold
Sayin' "Take this, my dear. For the damage that I've
done,
For tonight I fear I've left you with a daughter or a
son."
Chorus
And if it be a girl child, send her out to nurse
With gold in her pocket and with silver in her purse
And if it be a boy child, he'll wear the jacket blue
And go climbing up the riggin', like his daddy used to
Chorus
So come all of you fair maidens, a warning take be me
Never let a sailor lad an inch above your knee
I trusted one and he beguiled me
He left me with a pair of twins to dandle on me knee
Chorus:
God save Ireland said the heroes
God save Ireland said they all
High upon the scaffold high, or the battlefield they
Oh, What matter when for Erin dear they fall
High upon the gallows tree, swung the noble hearted
three
By the vengeful tyrant stricken in their bloom
But they met them face to face, with courage of their
race
And they went with souls undaunted to their doom
Chorus
Climb they up the rugged stair, rang their voices out
in prayer
Then with England's fatal cord around them cast
Close beside the gallows tree, kissed like brothers,
lovingly
True to home and faith and freedom to last
Chorus
Never till the latest day, shall the memory fade away
Of the gallant lives that's given for our land
But on the truth must go, amidst the joy, and weal and
Till we make our Isle a nation free and grand
Chorus
SPOKEN:
Laws are made for people,
But the law can never scorn
The right of a man to be free
Chorus:
Free the people, let them have their say
Free the people, let them see the light of day
A dismal dawn was breaking when they took her man away
Not knowing what was his crime
Just what he was guilty of not one of them could say
But they'd think of something in time
He said, 'Good bye and remember, we shall overcome'
Chorus
Comforting her children softly crying in the night
She tries very hard to explain
You know your daddy never did a thing that wasn't right
So soon he's bound to be home again
He is a good man and he shall overcome
Chorus
SPOKEN:
What does it profit him, the right to be born
If he suffers the loss of liberty
Laws were made for people and the law can never scorn
The right of a man to be free
We are the people and we shall overcome
Ring a ring a rosie as the lights declines,
I remember Dublin city in the rare oul times.
Raised on songs and stories, heroes of renown,
The passing tales and glories, that once was Dublin
town,
The hallowed halls and houses, the haunting children's
rhymes,
That once was Dublin city, in the Rare Oul Times.
My name it is Sean Dempsey as Dublin as could be
Born hard and late in Pimlico in a house that ceased to
My trade I was a cooper, lost out to redundancy
Like my house that fell to progress my trade's a memory
And I courted Peggy Dignan, as pretty as you please,
A rogue and child of Mary, from the rebel liberties,
I lost her to a student chap, with skin as black as
coal,
When he took her off to Birmingham, she took away my
soul.
Ring a ring a rosie as the lights declines,
I remember Dublin city in the rare oul times.
The years have made me bitter, the gargle dims me brain
'Cause Dublin keeps on changing and nothing seems the
same.
The Pillar and the Met have gone, the Royal long since
pulled down
As the grey unyielding concrete makes a city of my
Town.
Ring a ring a rosie as the lights declines,
I remember Dublin city in the rare oul times.
Fare thee well sweet Anna Liffey, I can no longer stay,
And watch the new glass cages, that spring up along the
quay,
My mind's too full of memories, to old to hear new
chimes,
I'm a part of what was Dublin, in the Rare Oul Times.
Ring a ring a rosie as the lights declines,
I remember Dublin city in the rare oul times.
Ring a ring a rosie as the lights declines,
I met my love by the gas works croft
I dreamed a dream by the old canal
I kissed my girl by the factory wall
Dirty old town, dirty old town
I heard a siren from the docks
I saw a train set the night on fire
I smelled the spring on the smoky wind
Dirty old town, dirty old town
Clouds are drifting across the moon
Cats are prowling on their beat
Springs a girl from the streets at night
Dirty old town, dirty old town
I'm going to take me a good sharp ax
Shining steel tempered in the fire
I'll chop you down like an old dead tree
Dirty old town, dirty old town
I met my love by the gas works croft
I dreamed a dream by the old canal
I kissed my girl by the factory wall
Dirty old town, dirty old town
It was in and through the window broad
And all the teary will he go
The sweetest kiss that e'er I got
Was from my Dainty Davy
Chorus:
Oh lease me on your curly pow
Dainty Davy, Dainty Davy
Lease me on your curly pow
You're my own dear Dainty Davy
'tWas down among my father's peas
And underneath the cherry tree
'tWas there he kissed me as he pleased
Now he's my own dear Dainty Davy
Chorus,
When he was chased by a dragoon
Into my bed he laid his wound
I thought him worthy of his room
Oh, were I at the Moss House where the birds do
increase,
At the foot of Mount Leinster or some silent place,
By the streams of Bunclody where all pleasures do meet,
And all I would ask is one kiss from you sweet.
If I was in Bunclody I would think myself at home,
'Tis there I would have a sweetheart, but here I have
none.
Drinking strong liqour in the height of my cheer,
Here's a health to Bunclody and the lass I love dear.
The cuckoo is a pretty bird, it sings as it flies,
It brings us good tidings and tells us no lies.
It sucks the young birds eggs to make its voice clear,
And the more it cries cuckoo, the summer draws near.
If I was a clerk and could write a good hand,
I would write my love a letter that she might
understand,
For I am a young fellow that is wounded in love,
Once I lived in Bunclody but now must remove.
If I was a lark and had wings I could fly,
I would go to yon arbour where my love she does lie,
I'd proceed to you arbour where my true love does lie,
And on her fond bosom contented I would die.
'Tis why my love slights me as you may understand,
That she has a freehold and I have no land,
She has great store of riches and a large sum of gold,
And everything fitting a house to uphold.
So adieu my dear father, adieu my dear mother,
Farewell to my sister, farwell to my brother;
I am bound for America, my fortune to try,
(Thomas Davis)
When boyhood's fire was in my blood, I read of ancient
free men
Of Greece and Rome who bravely stood, three hundred men
and free men
And then I prayed I yet might see, our fetters rent in
twain
And Ireland long a province be, a nation once again
Chorus:
A nation once again, a nation once again
And Ireland long a province 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 that
solemn starlight
It seemed to watched above my head, through forum,
field and fain
It's angel voice sang round me bed, a nation once again
Chorus:
A nation once again, a nation once again
And Ireland long a province be, a nation once again
So as I grew from boy to man, I bent thee to my bidding
My spirit of each selfish plan and cruel passion
ridding
For thus I hope someday to aid, nor can such hope be
vain
When my dear country shall be made, a nation once again
Chorus:
A nation once again, a nation once again
Oh Polly love, oh Polly the rout has now begun
And we must go a marching at the beating of the drum
Go dress yourself all in your best and come along with me
I'll take you to the war me love in High Germany
Oh Willy love, oh Willy come list to what I say
My feet they are so tender, I can not march away
And besides my dearest Willy I am with child by thee
Not fitted for the war me love in High Germany
I'll buy for you a horse me love and on it you shall ride
And all my life I'll be there riding by your side
We'll stop at every ale-house and drink when we are dry
We'll be true to one another, get married bye and bye
Oh cursed be the cruel wars that ever they should rise
And out of merry England press many a man likewise
They pressed my true love from me, likewise my brothers three
And sent them to the wars me lad in High Germany
My friends I do not value nor my foes I do not fear
Now my love has left me I wander far and near
And when my baby it is born and smiling on my knee
I'll think of lovely Willy in High Germany
Oh Polly love, oh Polly the rout has now begun
And we must go a marching at the beating of the drum
Go dress yourself all in your best and come along with me
Well it's of a gentlemen soldier as a sentry he did stand
He saluted the fair maid be a wavin' of the hand
So boldly then he kissed and he passed it off as a joke
He drilled her up in the sentry box, wrapped up a the soldiers coat
And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play,
Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away
All night they tossed and tumbled till daylight did appear
The soldier rose, put on his clothes, said fare thee well me dear
For the drums they are a pounding and the fifes did sweetly play
If it weren't for that dear Polly, then along with you I'd stay
And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play,
Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away
Oh come you gentlemen soldier, "Won't you marry me?"
"Oh no me dearest, Polly. Such things never can be."
"For I've a wife already and children I have three
Two wives are allowed in army but one is too many for me."
And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play,
Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away
If anyone comes a courtin' you, you can treat them to a glass
If anyone comes a courtin' you, you can say you're a country lass
You don't have to tell them that ever you played this joke
That you were drilled in the sentry box wrapped up in the soldier's cloak
And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play,
Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away
Oh come you gentlemen soldier, why didn't you tell me so
My parents will be angry when this they come to know
And when nine long months had come and past, the poor girl she brought shame
She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name
And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play,
In Alabama 1958
The cost of human life is very low
A man that's black is trampled down
Just like they were a thousand years ago
But these are more enlightened days
No room for all these savage ways
Leave and let them go
Now every man may walk his road in peace
For all are free!
Two thousand years ago a million men
Were gathered into royal Egypt's land
Were bound together, forced to build
Pyramids of stone in desert sand
But these are more enlightened days
No room for all these savage ways
Leave and let them go
Now every man may walk his road in peace
For all are free!
Mary's son walked through a land of woe
Dreaming of the world as it could be
But the good and lawful men of Rome
Bound him like a robber to a tree
But these are more enlightened days
No room for all these savage ways
Leave and let them go
Now every man may walk his road in peace
For all are free!
In Britain just a hundred years ago
The jails were full of good and hungry men
Diggers, fenians, many more
Fought and died but rose to fight again
But these are more enlightened days
No room for all these savage ways
Leave and let them go
Now every man may walk his road in peace
For all are free!
Last year a negro stole a dollar bill
The judge he said "We mustn't be severe
Instead of death we'll give him life imprisonment
To show there's justice here"
For these are more enlightened days
No room for all these savage ways
Leave and let them go
Now every man may walk his road in peace
For all are free!
And so throughout the ages you have seen
How progress marches ever on its way
No rack, no wheel, no Spanish boot
For Alabama's prisoners today
For these are more enlightened days
No room for all these savage ways
Leave and let them go
Now every man may walk his road in peace
For all are free!
In these more enlightened days
No room for all these savage ways
Leave and let them go
Now every man should walk his road in peace
When I was young and in my prime
And could wander wild and free
There was always a longing in my mind
To follow the call of the sea
So I'll sing farewell to Carling ford
And farewell to Gree nore
And I'll think of you both day and night
Untill I return once more,
Untill I return once more
On all the stormy seven seas
I have sailed before the mast
And every voyage I ever made
I swore it would be my last
So I'll sing farewell to Carling ford
And farewell to Gree nore
And I'll think of you both day and night
Untill I return once more,
Untill I return once more
And I had a girl called Mary Doyle
And she lived in Greenore
And the foremost thought in my mind
Was to keep me safe onshore
So I'll sing farewell to Carling ford
And farewell to Gree nore
And I'll think of you both day and night
Untill I return once more,
Untill I return once more
A landman's life is all his own
He can go or he can stay
But when the sea gets in your blood
When she calls you must obey
So I'll sing farewell to Carling ford
And farewell to Gree nore
And I'll think of you both day and night
Untill I return once more,
Untill I return once more
So I'll sing farewell to Carling ford
And farewell to Gree nore
And I'll think of you both day and night
Untill I return once more,
Fare thee well, my lovely Dinah, a thousand times adieu.
We're goin' away from the Holy Ground and the girls we all love true.
We will sail the salt seas over and we'll return for shore,
To see again the girls we love and the Holy Ground once more.
Fine girl you are!
You're the girl I do adore,
And still I live in hopes to see the Holy Ground once more.
Fine girl you are!
And now the storm is raging and we are far from shore;
And the good old ship is tossin' about and the rigging is all tore.
And the secrets 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!
You're the girl I do adore,
And still I live in hopes to see the Holy Ground once more.
Fine girl you are!
And now the storm is over and we are safe and well
We will go into a public house and we'll sit and drink like hell!
We will drink strong ale and porter and we'll make the rafters roar,
And when our money is all spent, we'll go to sea once more.
Fine girl you are!
You're the girl I do adore,
And still I live in hopes to see the Holy Ground once more.
I've been a wild rover for many's the year
and I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
but now I'm returning with gold in great store
and I never will play the wild rover no more
And it's no, nay, never
no, nay never no more
will I play the wild rover
no never no more
I went to an alehouse I used to frequent
I told the landlady my money was spent
I ask her for credit, she answered me nay
such a custom as yours I can have any day
And it's no, nay, never
no, nay never no more
will I play the wild rover
no never no more
I brought from me pocket ten sovereigns bright
and the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
she said:'I have whiskeys and wines of the best
and the words that you told me were only in jest'
And it's no, nay, never
no, nay never no more
will I play the wild rover
no never no more
I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done
and I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
and when they've caressed me, as oft times before
I never will play the wild rover no more
And it's no, nay, never
no, nay never no more
will I play the wild rover
no never no more
And it's no, nay, never
no, nay never no more
will I play the wild rover
What's the news, what's the news, O me bold Shelmalier
With your long barrel guns from the sea ?
Say, what wind from the south brings a messenger here
With this hymn of the dawn for the free?
Goodly news, goodly news do I bring youth of Forth
Goodly news shall I hear Bargy man.
For the boys march at morn from the south to the north
Led by Kelly, the boy from Killane.
Tell me who is the giant with the gold curling hair
He 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.
O me boys that's the pride of the bold Shelmalier
'Mongst our greatest of heroes a man
Fling your beavers aloft and give three ringing cheers
For John Kelly, the boy from Killane.
Enniscorthy is in flames and old Wexford is won
And tomorrow the barrow will cross
On the hill o'er the town we have planted a gun
That will batter the gateway to Ross.
All the Forth men and Bargy men will march o'er the heath
With brave Harvey to lead in the van
But the foremost of all in the grim gap of death
Will be Kelly, the boy from Killane.
But the gold sun of freedom grew darkened at Ross
And it set by the Slaney's red wave...
And poor Wexford stripped naked hung high on a cross
With her heart pierced by traitors and knaves.
Glory-o, Glory-o to her brave men who died
For the cause of long down-trodden man.
Glory-o to Mount-Leinster's own darling and pride
How hard is my fortune how vain my repining,
The strong rope of fate for my young neck is twinning,
My strenght is departed my cheek sunk and sallow,
While I languish is chains in the Jail of Cluain Meala.
No boy in the village was ever yet milder.
I could play with a child and my sport be no wilder.
I could dance without tiring from morning till evening
And my goalball I'd strike to the lightning of heaven.
At my bed foot decaying my hurley is lying.
Through the lads of the village my goalball is flying.
My horse 'mong the neighbours neglected may fallow.
While this heart young and gay lies cold in Cluan Meala.
Next Sunday the pattern at home will be keeping.
All the lads of the village the fields will be sweeping.
And the dance of fair maidens the evening will hallow.
The sun is burning in the sky
Strands of clouds go slowly drifting by
In the park the lazy breeze
Are joining in the flowers, among the trees
And the sun burns in the sky
Now the sun is in the West
Little kids go home to take their rest
And the couples in the park
Are holdin' hands and waitin' for the dark
And the sun is in the West
Now the sun is sinking low
Children playin' know it's time to go
High above a spot appears
A little blossom blooms and then draws near
And the sun is sinking low
Now the sun has come to Earth
Shrouded in a mushroom cloud of death
Death comes in a blinding flash
Of hellish heat and leaves a smear of ash
And the sun has come to Earth
Now the sun has disappeared
All is darkness, anger, pain and fear
Twisted, sightless wrecks of men
Go groping on their knees and cry in pain
Oh Oh Glorio,
Now I'm the Lord's disciple
Oh Oh Glorio,
Now Hand me down My Bible
I like my liquor and my livin' hard,
May the lord save my soul.
My salvation was a turn of the card
My hearts as black as coal.
But everybody's got the right to go wrong
Everybody's got to sing my song
Everybody's got the right to go wrong
Sing my song, Sing my song.
Oh Oh Glorio,
Now I'm the Lord's disciple
Oh Oh Glorio,
Now Hand me down my Bible.
Oh Oh Glorio,
Now I'm the Lords disciple
Oh Oh Glorio,
Now Hand me down my Bible.
I don't give a damn for any man,
As all the world can see,
Time has come to make a stand
Well, to shine your light on me.
Come on people, let your life begin,
Come on now let the sun shine in,
Come on people let your life begin
Let it in, let it in.
Oh Oh Glorio,
Now I'm the Lords disciple
Oh Oh Glorio,
HOME BOYS HOME
Ah, well who wouldn't be a sailor lad, a sailin' on the
main
To gain the good will of his Captain's good name
He came ashore, one evening from the sea
And that was beginning of me own true love and me
Chorus:
And it's home boys, home
Home I'd like to be, home for awhile
In me own country, where the oak and the ash and the
bonny rowan tree
Are all a growin' greener, in the North Country
I asked her for a candle for to light me way to bed
Likewise for a handkerchief to tie around me head
She tended to me needs, like a young maid ought to do
Then I says to her, why don't you jump in with me too
Chorus
She jump into bed and makin' no alarm,
Thinking a young sailor lad could do to her no harm
I hugged her; I kissed her, the whole night long
Till she wished the short night had been seven years
long
Chorus
Early next morning the sailor lad arose
And into Mary's apron, threw a handful of gold
Sayin' "Take this, my dear. For the damage that I've
done,
For tonight I fear I've left you with a daughter or a
son."
Chorus
And if it be a girl child, send her out to nurse
With gold in her pocket and with silver in her purse
And if it be a boy child, he'll wear the jacket blue
And go climbing up the riggin', like his daddy used to
do
Chorus
So come all of you fair maidens, a warning take be me
Never let a sailor lad an inch above your knee
I trusted one and he beguiled me
He left me with a pair of twins to dandle on me knee
Chorus
Oh, were I at the Moss House where the birds do
increase,
At the foot of Mount Leinster or some silent place,
By the streams of Bunclody where all pleasures do meet,
And all I would ask is one kiss from you sweet.
If I was in Bunclody I would think myself at home,
'Tis there I would have a sweetheart, but here I have
none.
Drinking strong liqour in the height of my cheer,
Here's a health to Bunclody and the lass I love dear.
The cuckoo is a pretty bird, it sings as it flies,
It brings us good tidings and tells us no lies.
It sucks the young birds eggs to make its voice clear,
And the more it cries cuckoo, the summer draws near.
If I was a clerk and could write a good hand,
I would write my love a letter that she might
understand,
For I am a young fellow that is wounded in love,
Once I lived in Bunclody but now must remove.
If I was a lark and had wings I could fly,
I would go to yon arbour where my love she does lie,
I'd proceed to you arbour where my true love does lie,
And on her fond bosom contented I would die.
'Tis why my love slights me as you may understand,
That she has a freehold and I have no land,
She has great store of riches and a large sum of gold,
And everything fitting a house to uphold.
So adieu my dear father, adieu my dear mother,
Farewell to my sister, farwell to my brother;
I am bound for America, my fortune to try,
When I think of Bunclody, I'm ready to die.
Well if you got a wingo,
take her up to ringo,
Where the waxies sing o all the day,
If you´ve had your fill of porter,
And you can´t go any further,
Give yer man the order "Back to the Quay"
And take her up to Monto, Monto, Monto,
Take her up to Monto, langeroo, to you.
The Dirty Duke of Gloucester
the dirty old imposter,
Took his mot and lost her up the Furry Glen,
He first put on his bowler,
then he buttoned up his trousers,
And he whistled for a growler
and he said "My man",
Take me up to Monto, Monto, Monto,
Take me up to Monto, langeroo, to you.
You see the Dublin Fusiliers,
the dirty old bamboozileers,
They went to get the childer one, two, three,
Marchin´ from the linenhall
there´s one for every canonball,
And Vicki´s going to send yis all o´er the sea,
But first go up to Monto, Monto, Monto,
First go up to Monto, langeroo, to you.
When the Tzar of Russia
and the King of Prussia,
Landed in the Phoenix Park in a big balloon,
They asked the Police band to play
the Wearing of the Green,
But the buggers in the Depot
didn´t know that tune,
So they both went up to Monto, Monto, Mont,
They both went up to Monto, langeroo, to you.
The Queen she came to call on us,
She wanted to see all of us,
I´m glad she didn´t fall on us,
she´s eighteen stone,
Mr. me Lord Mayor, sez she,
Is this all you´ve got to show to me?
Why no, ma´am, there is more to see,
Póg mo thóin,
And he took her up to Monto, Monto, Monto,
He took her up to Monto, langeroo,
Goodnight to you
Oh[D] Peggy Gordon you[G] are my[D] dar[A]ling,
[G]Come sit you[D] down upon my[A] knee,
[G]Come tell to[D] me the[G] very[D] reas[A]on,
[G]Why I am[D] slighted[A],so by[D] thee,
[2]
I wish I was in some lonesome vally,where woman kind
cannot be found,
Where the pritty small birds,do change their voices,and
every moment a differend sound.
[3]
Im so in love that I cant deny it,my heart lies smothered
in my breast,
But its not for you to lrt the world know it,a troubled
mind can know no rest.
[4]
I did put my head to a cask of brandy,it was my fancy I
do declare,
For when im drinking I am always thinking,and wishing
Peggy Gordon was here.
[Repeat first verse]