Favorite Songs

The Meagher family has always been known to like to party
My childhood was spent in closets (when I should have been in bed)
watching the adults party. And a party in our house almost always
turned in to a sing song of sorts. Unfortunately, we have lost many of the elders
and with them many songs. Hopefully through this collection we can keep their
memories and music alive. The following songs are some of the commonly sung during family
gatherings. If you have any more please let me know.

Causeway Crossing

Chorus:

Oh, the Canso Causeway is a wonder they say

It’s mainland rock and it’s mainland clay

And many do come but they don’t plan to stay

It was built for going away.

From where the sun rises and where the sun sets

They leave this fair Isle for the gold of the west

There is many a young heart that’s full of regret

For, in seeking to find they found something less.

(Chorus)

So piper, pipe a lament sad and low

For on the “road to the Isle”, the wrong way I go

Leaving behind me all that I know

The Highlands high and the lowlands low.

(Chrous)

As I cross the Strait -a mile or so span-

I look to the woods and the dark timber strand

And deep in my mind I can’t understand

Why I break my heart to find work with my hands.

(Chorus)

Oh the Canso Causeway, this wonder they say

I wish it were sand and covered over with clay

And the water and weather would wear it away

And on Cape Breton Island forever I’d stay.

(Chorus)

The Four Mary’s

Chorus

Last night there were four Marys

Tonight there'll be but three

There was Mary Seaton and Mary Beaton

And Mary Carmichael and me.

Oh, often have I dressed my Queen

And put on her braw silk gown

But all the thanks I've got tonight

Is to be hanged in Edinborough Town.

Full often have I dressed my Queen

Put gold upon her hair

But I have got for my reward

The gallows to be my share.

Oh, little did my mother know

The day she cradled me

The land I was to travel in

The death I was to dee

Oh, happy, happy is the maid

That's born of beauty free

Oh, it was my rosy, dimpled cheeks

That's been the devil to me.

They'll tie a kerchief around my eyes

That I may not see to dee

And they'll never tell my father or mother

But that I'm across the sea.

Red is the Rose

Come over the hills, my bonnie Irish lass

Come over the hills to your darling

You choose the rose, love, and I'll make the vow

And I'll be your true love forever.

Chorus

Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows

Fair is the lily of the valley

Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne

But my love is fairer than any.

'Twas down by Killarney's green woods that we strayed

When the moon and the stars they were shining

The moon shone its rays on her locks of golden hair

And she swore she'd be my love forever.

Chorus

It's not for the parting that my sister pains

It's not for the grief of my mother

'Tis all for the loss of my bonny Irish lass

That my heart is breaking forever.

Chorus

Kiss me Goodnight Sergeant Major (John A sang this quite a bit)

Chorus

Kiss me goodnight Sergeant Major,

Tuck me in my little wooden bed.

We all love you Sergeant Major,

When we hear you bawling show a leg.

Don't forget to wake me in the morning,

and bring me round a nice hot cup of tea.

Kiss me goodnight Seargeant Major.

Seargeant Major be a Mother to me.

Bless 'Em All (Another one of John A's)

Bless 'em all!

The long and the short and the tall;

Bless all the sergeants and WO ones,

Bless all the corp'rals and their blink-in sons,

`cause we're saying good-bye to them all

As back to their billets they crawl,

You'll get no promotion

This side of the ocean,

So cheer up, my lads,

Bless 'em all!

Nobody knows what a twirp you've been,

So cheer up, my lads,

Bless 'em all!

You Can’t Marry Ten Pretty Girls (John A.)

There were ten pretty girls at a village school

Picture Ten pretty girls at a village school

They were short, sweet and tall and a boy loved them all

But you can’t marry ten pretty girls

5 were blondes and four brunettes

and one was a saucy little red head

The boys grew up,

The girls left school

And at 21 you wedded the saucy little red headed

Oh there were ten pretty girls and I will tell you this

A boy’s biggest thrill was to steal a kiss

Kissing girls may be fun, but your heart picks the one

Cause you can’t marry ten pretty girls

THE WILD COLONIAL BOY

There was a wild colonial boy, Jack Dugan 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 shores he was inclined to roam

He robbed the rich and he helped the poor, he stabbed James Mac Evoy

A terror to Australia was the wild colonial boy

For two long years this daring youth ran on his wild career

With a heart that knew no danger, and their justice he did not fear

He robbed the lordly squatters, their flocks he would destroy

A terror to Australia was the wild colonial boy

He bade the judge "Good morning!" and he told him to beware

For he never robbed an honest judge who acted "on the square"

"Yet you would rob a mother of her son and only joy

And breed a race of outlaws like the wild colonial boy!

One morning on the prairie while Jack Dugan rode along

While 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 Dugan, for you see there'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

And turning round to Davis he received his fatal wound

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

And that was how they captured him the wild colonial boy

THE WILD ROVER

I've been a wild rover for many a year

I've spent all my money on whiskey and beer

Now I'm returning with gold in great store

And I swear that I'll play the wild rover no more

Chorus

And its no, nay, never

No, nay, never, No more

Will I play the wild rover

No, never, no more

I went into an ale house that I used to frequent

And I told the lady my money was spent

I asked her for credit and she answered me nay

Such a custom as yours I can get day

Chorus

And out of my pocket and pulled sovereigns bright

The landlady's eyes opened wide with delight

She said I have whiskey and wines of the best

Chorus

I'd go home to my parents confess what I've done

And ask them to pardon their prodigal son

And if they'll caress me as oft times before

Then I swear that I play the wild rover no more

Chorus

WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING

Chorus

When Irish eyes are smiling

Sure it's like a morning spring

In the lilt of Irish laughter

You can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy

All the world seems bright and gay

And when Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, they steal your heart away

There's a tear in your eye,

and I'm wondering why

For it never should be there at all

With such power in your smile,

sure a stone you'd beguile

So there's never a teardrop should fall

When your sweet lilting laughter's like some fairy song

And your eyes twinkle bright as can be

You should laugh all the while and all other times smile

And now smile a smile for me

Chorus

A MOTHER'S LOVE IS A BLESSING

An Irish boy was leaving,

Leaving his native home,

Crossing the broad Atlantic,

Once more he wished to roam,

And as he was leaving his mother,

Who was standing on the quay,

She threw her arms around his waist,

And this to him did say,

Chorus:

A mother's love's a blessing,

No matter where you roam,

Keep her while she's living,

You'll miss her when she's gone,

Love her as in childhood,

Though feeble, old and gray,

For you'll never miss a mother's love,

Till she's buried beneath the clay.

And as the years go onwards,

I'll settle down in life,

And choose a nice young colleen,

And take her for my wife,

And as the babes grow older,

And climb around my knee,

I'll teach them the very same lesson,

That my mother taught to me.

Chorus

THE BLACK VELVET BAND

In a neat little town they call Belfast,

An apprentice to trade I was bound,

And many's the happy hour

I have spent in that neat little town.

A sad misfortune came o'er me,

Which caused me to stray from the land,

Far away from friends and relations,

Betrayed by the black velvet band.

Chorus

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

Chorus

As I was walking down Broadway

not meaning to stay very long

I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid,

and a gentleman passed us along

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

Chorus

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"

Chorus

So come all you jolly young fellows

a warning take by me

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

Chorus

LAVENDER BLUE (Dilly, Dilly) - (John A. Sings this Song Often)

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly,

Lavender's green

When you are King, dilly dilly,

I shall be Queen

Who told you so, dilly dilly,

Who told you so?

'Twas my own heart, dilly dilly,

That told me so

Call up your friends, dilly, dilly

Set them to work

Some to the plough, dilly dilly,

Some to the fork

Some to the hay, dilly dilly,

Some to thresh corn

Whilst you and I, dilly dilly,

Keep ourselves warm

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly,

Lavender's green

When you are King, dilly dilly,

I shall be Queen

Who told you so, dilly dilly,

Who told you so?

'Twas my own heart, dilly dilly,

That told me so

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

You'll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you in my arms

But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

So I hung my head and I cried.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

You'll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

I'll always love you, and make you happy

If you will only say the same

But if you leave me to love another

You will regret it all some day

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

You'll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

You told me once, dear, You really loved me

And no one else could come between

But now you've left me, And love another

You have shattered all my dreams

You are my sunshine, My only sunshine.

You make me happy When skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear, How much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away

YOU'RE CHEATING HEART

Your cheatin' heart will make you weep

You'll cry and cry and try to sleep

but sleep won't come the whole night through

Your cheatin' heart will tell on you

When tears come down like fallin' rain

you'll toss around and call my name

You're gonna walk that floor the way I do

Your cheatin' heart will tell on you

Your cheatin' heart will pine some day ,

And crave the love,you threw away.

The time will come when you'll be blue,

Your cheatin' heart will tell on you.

When tears come down like fallin' rain

you'll toss around and call my name

You're gonna walk that floor the way I do

Your cheatin' heart will tell on you

Clementine

In a cavern, in a canyon,
Excavating for a mine
Dwelt a miner forty niner,
And his daughter Clementine

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Light she was and like a fairy,
And her shoes were number nine,
Herring boxes, without topses,
Sandals were for Clementine.

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Drove she ducklings to the water
Ev'ry morning just at nine,
Hit her foot against a splinter,
Fell into the foaming brine.

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

Ruby lips above the water,
Blowing bubbles, soft and fine,
But, alas, I was no swimmer
So I lost my Clementine.

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

How I missed her! How I missed her,
How I missed my Clementine,
But I kissed her little sister,
I forgot my Clementine.

Oh my darling, oh my darling,
Oh my darling, Clementine!
Thou art lost and gone forever
Dreadful sorry, Clementine

I’m a Nut

I'm an acorn, small and round
Lying on the cold, cold ground
Everyone walks over me
That is why I'm cracked you see

I'm a nut!
(Click, click with tongue)
I'm a nut!
(Click, click with tongue)
I'm a nut!
(Click, click with tongue)

Called myself on the telephone
Just to hear my golden tone
Asked me out for a little date
Picked me up about half past eight

I'm a nut!
(Click, click with tongue)
I'm a nut!
(Click, click with tongue)
I'm a nut!
(Click, click with tongue)

Took myself to the movie show
Stayed too late and said : Let's go
Took my hand and led me out
Drove me home and gave a shout!

I'm a nut!
(Click, click with tongue)
I'm a nut!
(Click, click with tongue)
I'm a nut!
(Click, click with tongue)

GALWAY BAY

If you ever go across the sea to Ireland
Then maybe at the closing of your day
You will sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh
And see the sun go down on Galway Bay

Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream
The women in the meadows making hay
And to sit beside a turf fire in the cabin
And watch the barefoot gosoons at their play.

For the breezes blowing over the seas from Ireland
Are perfumed by the heather as it blows
And the women in the uplands diggin' pralies
Speak a language that the strangers do not know

For the strangers came and tried to teach us their way
They scorn'd us just for being what we are
But they might as well go chasing after moonbeams
Or light a penny candle from a star.

And if there is going to be a life hereafter
And somehow I am sure there's going to be
I well ask my God to let me make my heaven
In that dear land across the Irish sea.

DANNY BOY

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling
'Tis you, 'tis you must go, and I must bide.

But come you back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

But if you come, and all the flowers are dying
And if I am dead, as dead I may well be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams shall warm and sweeter be
If you will bend and tell me that you love me
Then I will sleep in peace until you come to me.

SONG FOR THE MIRA

Out on the Mira one warm afternoon,
Old men go fishing with black line and spoon
And if they catch nothing they never complain,
I wish I was with them again.

As boys in their boats call to girls on the shore,
Teasing the one that they really adore,
And into the evening the courting begins,
I wish I was with them again.

Can you imagine a piece of the universe
more fit for princes and kings?
I'll give you ten of your cities
for Marion bridge and the pleasure it brings

Out on the Mira on soft summer nights
Bonfires blaze to the children's delight
They dance round the flames singing songs with their friends;
I wish I was with them again.

And over the ashes the stories are told
Of witches and werewolves and Oak Island gold
The stars on the river they sparkle and spin;
I wish I was with them again.

Can you imagine a piece of the universe
more fit for princes and kings?
I'll give you ten of your cities
for Marion bridge and the pleasure it brings

Out on the Mira the people are kind,
They'll treat you to home-brew and help you unwind.
And if you come broken they'll see that you mend
I wish I was with them again.

And thus I conclude with a wish you go well,
Sweet be your dreams, may your happiness swell,
I'll leave you here, for my journey begins,
I'm going to be with them, going to be with them,
I'm going to be with them again

BARRETTS PRIVATEERS

Oh, the year was 1778,
HOW I WISH I WAS IN SHERBROOKE NOW!
A letter of marque come from the king,
To the scummiest vessel I'd ever seen,
GOD DAMMED THEM ALL

CHORUS

I was told we'd cruise the seas for American gold
We'd fire no guns-shed no tears
Now I'm a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers.

Oh, Elcid Barrett cried the town, HOW I WISH I WAS . . .
For twenty brave men all fishermen who
would make for him the Antelope's crew

(chorus)

The Antelope sloop was a sickening sight,
She'd a list to the port and and her sails in rags
And the cook in scuppers with the staggers and the jags

(chorus)

On the King's birthday we put to sea,
We were 91 days to Montego Bay
Pumping like madmen all the way

(chorus)

On the 96th day we sailed again,
When a bloody great Yankee hove in sight
With our cracked four pounders we made to fight

(chorus)

The Yankee lay low down with gold,
She was broad and fat and loose in the stays
But to catch her took the Antelope two whole days

(chorus)

Then at length we stood two cables away,
Our cracked four pounders made an awful din
But with one fat ball the Yank stove us in

(chorus)

The Antelope shook and pitched on her side,
Barrett was smashed like a bowl of eggs
And the Maintruck carried off both me legs

(chorus)

So here I lay in my 23rd year,
It's been 6 years since we sailed away
And I just made Halifax yesterday

(chorus)

45 YEARS

Where the earth shows its bones of wind-broken stone
And the sea and the sky are one
I'm caught out of time, my blood sings with wine
And I'm running naked in the sun
There's God in the trees, I'm weak in the knees
And the sky is a painful blue
I'd like to look around, but Honey, all I see is you.

And I just want to hold you closer than I've ever held anyone before
You say you've been twice a wife and you're through with life
Ah, but Honey, what the hell's it for?
After twenty-three years you'd think I could find
A way to let you know somehow
That I want to see your smiling face forty-five years from now.

The summer city lights will soften the night
Til you'd think that the air is clear
And I'm sitting with friends, where forty-five cents
Will buy another glass of beer
He's got something to say, but I'm so far away
That I don't know who I'm talking to
Cause you just walked in the door, and Honey, all I see is you

So alone in the lights on stage every night
I've been reaching out to find a friend
Who knows all the words, sings so she's heard
And knows how all the stories end
Maybe after the show she'll ask me to go
Home with her for a drink or two
Now her smile lights her eyes, but Honey, all I see is you

MY CAPE BRETON HOME

Round the home of my childhood
My memory doth cling
Though others great stories
Of many lands sing
They tell of the grandeur
Of Italy and Rome
But they say not a word
Of my Cape Breton Home

Whenever I wanser
On land sea or foam
The home of my childhood
Remembered shall be
God's blessing rest on it;
Wherever I roam
I shall never forget it-
My Cape Breton Home

I love every inch
Of its wild rugged shore
And listen with joy
To the old oceans roar
Or gaze with delight
On its bright sparkling foam
As it sweeps round the shores
Of my Cape Breton Home

In a small quiet village
That stands by the sea
I played with my comrades
Lighthearted and free
Some sleep in the churchyard
While others have roamed
And left far behind them
Their Cape Breton Home

Thy lake and thy rivers
And pastures so green
And great wooded hillsides
I see in my dreams
With friends of my childhood
In fancy I roam
Amid the dear scenes
Of my Cape Breton Home

Let others tell tales
Of the golden west
The home of my childhood
Is the land I love best
Though there's many fair countries
Beneath heavens bright dome
Theres none to surpass thee
My Cape Breton Home

RISE AGAIN

When the waves roll on, over the waters
And the ocean cries
We look to our sons and daughters
To explain our lives-
As if a child could tell us why
That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees

We rise again in the faces of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise again

When the light goes dark with the forces of creation
Across a stormy sky
We look to reincarnation
To explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why
That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees

ATLANTIC LULLABY(Allie's song)

Theres a place so dear to me
Nestled by the blue blue sea
Where the womenfolk are notices for their pie
Where the sweet mayflower grows,
It's the home of the bluenose
Where you slumber to the Atlantic Lullaby

Fields so green and skies so blue
Friendly folk will welcome you
In her city where the famous gardens grow
I remember well the charm
Of the lovely Northwest Arm
And the harbour watching the great ships come and go

Where the breakers rock and roll
Till they stir your very soul
And the seagulls scream and circle toward the sky
Where lovers stroll beneath moonbeams
In Nova Scotia land of dreams
Where you slumber to the Atlantic Lullaby

Everyone who wants to rove,
Loves to visit Peggys Cove
Where a lighthouse send its message out to sea
Valley of Evangeline
Where the poets love to dream
And the beauty of blossoms beckons me

How I love the Cabot Trail
Winding over hill and dale
In Cape Breton with its scenery so fair
Where a fellow takes a wife
And he loves her all his life
Children singing, church bells ringing
God is there

FAREWELL TO NOVA SCOTIA

The sun was setting in the west
The birds were singing on every tree
All nature seemed inclined to rest
But still there was no rest for me

Chorus Farewell to Nova Scotia, the sea-bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
And when I am far away on the briny oceans tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh and a wish for me?

I grieve to leave my native land
I grieve to leave my comrades all
And my aged parents whom I always held so dear
And the bonnie, bonnie lass that I do adore

Chorus

The drums they do beat and the wars do alarm
The captain calls, we must obey
So farewell, farewell to Nova Scotia's charms
For it's early in the morning I am far, far away

Chorus

I have three brothers and they are at rest
Their arms are folded on their breast
But a poor simple sailor just like me
Must be tossed and driven on the dark blue sea

Chorus

GETTING DARK AGAIN

There’s a piper in the corner.
There’s a dancer on the floor
Friends around the table,
there’s one who calls for more
And there’s Gaelic in the fiddle
like the Gaelic in the Glen
And the songs take on new meaning boys
It’s getting dark again

CHORUS

Getting dark again
Getting dark again
For the second time since we got up
It’s getting dark again

There was tea and tunes this morning
or was it yesterday
When friends and fiddles gathered
where friends and fiddles played
There were lots of those were good times
and do you remember when
But that was jigs and reels ago
Now it’s getting dark again

CHORUS

Now if any of you were slighted by the deeds that now are done
By the fellowship of music and the fantasy of fun
Well we’d like to say we’re sorry
shed a tear for you but then
We haven’t got the time right now ‘cause
It’s getting dark again

CHORUS

And the songs take on new meaning boys
It’s getting dark again

THE ISLAND

Over an ocean and over a sea
Beyond these great waters, oh what do I see?
I see the great mountains
climb from the coastline
The hills of Cape Breton, this new home of mine
Oh they come from the countries all over the world
To hack at the forest, to plow the land down
Fishermen, farmers and sailors all come
To clear for the future this pioneer ground

CHORUS

We are an island, a rock in a stream
We are a people as proud as there’s been
In soft summer breeze or in wild winter winds
The home of our hearts, Cape Breton

Over the rooftops and over the trees
Within these new townships, oh what do I see?
I see the black pitheads, the coal-wheels are turning
The smokestacks are belching and the blast furnace burning
Oh the sweat on the back is no joy to behold
In the heat of the steel plant or mining the coal
And the foreign-owned companies
force us to fight
For our survival and for our rights

CHORUS

Over the highways and over the roads
Over the causeway, stories are told
They tell of the coming and the going away
The cities of America draw me away
Ah the companies come, the companies go
And the ways of the world we may never know
We’ll follow the footsteps of those on their way
And we’ll ask for the right to leave or to stay

CHORUS

EYES OF MARGARET

When morning comes to me
I see the eyes of Margaret
I see the eyes of Margaret
When morning comes around

When she comes near me
I see the eyes of Margaret
I see the smiles of margaret
And time rolls around

When darkness comes near her
I see a side
A pen and a letter
Have faded and died
A promise is broken
A change in the tide
Someone is singing here song
And it's na na na...

And when she is lonely
I'll take the hand of Margaret
I'll hold the hand of Margaret
And she'll come around

And when she is toubled
I'll hear the cries of Margaret
I'll wipe the eyes of Margaret
And she always comes around

When darkness comes near her
I see a side
A pen and a letter
Have faded and died
A promise is broken
A change in the tide
Someone is singing her song
And it's na na na..

JOHNNY TULLOCH

Johnny Tulloch agus Mary
agus Iain Alex Rory
Angus Hector, Mary Sarah,
Archie Dan, Alex Joe
Little Johnny Dougal agus
Theresa Duncan Peter
All piled in a wagon for
a dance in Glencoe

Well they barreled down
the back roads
By the farmhouse and the pasture
They barreled down the back roads
Where the bochans wouldn't go
Sipped a little dealach just to
get the diddle flowing
Sang a gaelic song there was no radio

When they got to the dance
They could hear the fiddle playing
The could see the couples swaying
Through a window by the door
Shoveled out a nickel to a man
behind the wicket
Then heard the prompter holler
"Four couples on the floor"

Well they danced all night there
was nobody caring
Shuffled in the gravel and they
shuffled in the snow
Stepped 'er in the hall and
they stepped 'er in the parking lot
Didn't give a damn they just had to
let her go

Johnny Tulloch agus Mary
agus Iain Alex Rory
Angus Hector, Mary Sarah,
Archie Dan, Alex Joe
Little Johnny Dougal agus
Theresa Duncan Peter
All piled in a wagon for
a dance in Glencoe

All piled in a wagon for
a dance in Glencoe
All piled in a wagon for
they were heading home.

MR. BOJANGLES

Knew a man bojangles and he danced for you
In worn out shoes
Silver hair ragged shirt and baggy pants
The old soft shoe

He jumped so high
He jumped so high
And he’d lightly touched down

Mr bojangles mr bojangles mr bojangles dance

Met him in a cell
New orleans he was down and out
He looked to me to be the eyes of age as he
He spoke right out

He talked about life
He talked of life
He lightly slapped his leg instead

He said the name bojangles and he danced a lick
Across the cell
He grabbed his pants and took a stance
And he jumped so high

He clicked his heels
And he let go a laugh
He let go a laugh
Shook his clothes all around

Mr bojangles mr bojangles mr bojangles dance

We danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the south
We spoke in tears of fifteen years
How his dog and him

They travelled about
The dog up and died
He up and died
After twenty years he still grieves

They said I dance now at every chance and honky tonks
For drinks and tips
But most the time I spend behind these county bars
Cause I drinks a bit

And he shook his head now
He shook his head
And I heard someone ask please

Mr bojangles mr bojangles hey mr bojangles dance

Girls of Neil’s Harbour

Sail, Sail away into another day
And I heard someone say it may be farther
For the morning comes so soon
Let’s sing another tune
And we’ll drink to the girls of Neil’s Harbour

Sail, sail the coast, to the one you love the most
A seaman hates to boast but my heart’s larger
For a girl named Jenny Lou
With the giant eyes of blue
And I’m thinking of you in Neil’s Harbour

Oh the waves they roll along, and the sea she sings her song
And it’s home where I belong beside the fire
With a good drink in my hand
Just listening to the band
And I’m home once again in Neil’s Harbour

Sail, Sail away, into another day
And I heard someone say it may be farther
For the morning comes so soon
Let’s sing another tune
And we’ll drink to the girls of Neil’s Harbour

COTTON FIELDS

When I was a little bitty baby,
My momma would rock me in that cradle,
In them old cotton fields back home
When I was a little bitty baby,
My momma would rock me in that cradle,
In them old cotton fields back home.

And when them cotton balls get rotten,
You can't pick very much cotton,
In them old cotton fields back home,
It was down in Louisiana
Just about a mile from Texarkanna,
In them old cotton fields back home.

I was over in Arkansas
When the people asked me
"What'd you come here for?"
In them old cotton fields back home,
I was over in Arkansas
When the people asked me
"What'd you come here for?"
In them old cotton fields back home.

It might sound a little bit funny,
But you don't make very much money,
In them old cotton fields back home,
It might sound a little bit funny,
But you don't make very much money,
In them old cotton fields back home,

South Australia

In South Australia I was born!
Heave away! Haul away!
In South Australia round Cape Horn!
We're bound for South Australia!

Haul away, you rolling king,
Heave away! Haul away!
Haul away you'll hear me sing
We're bound for South Australia!

As I walked out one morning fair,
’Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair.

There’s just one thing that’s on my mind,
To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind.

And we walk around Cape Horn,
You'll wish to Christ you'd never been born!

Up the coast to Vallipo,
Northward on to Callao.

It's back again to Liverpool,
I spent me pay like a bloody fool!

I'm Liverpool born and Liverpool bred,
Long in the arm and thick in the head.

Oh, rock and roll me over boys,
Let's get this damn job over boys.

In South Australia I was born!
In South Australia round Cape Horn!

Irish Lullaby

Over in Killarney
Many years ago,
Me Mither (My Mother) sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
In her good 'ould' (old) Irish way,
And I'd give the world if she could sing
That song to me this day.

"Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby."

Oft in dreams I wander
To that cot again,
I feel her arms a-huggin' me
As when she held me then.
And I hear her voice a-hummin'
To me as in days of yore,
When she used to rock me fast asleep
Outside the cabin door.

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

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

Banks of Loch Lomond

By yon bonnie banks,
And by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond,
Where me and my true love
Were ever want to gae,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Oh! ye'll take the high road and
I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye;
But me and my true love
Will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

'Twas then that we parted
In yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep side of Ben Lomond,
Where in purple hue
The Highland hills we view,
And the moon coming out in the gloaming.

Oh! ye'll take the high road and
I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye;
But me and my true love
Will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

The wee birdie sang
And the wild flowers spring,
And in sunshine the waters are sleeping,
But the broken heart it kens
Nae second Spring again,
Tho' the waeful may cease frae their greeting.

Oh! ye'll take the high road and
I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye;
But me and my true love
Will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

The White Cliffs of Dover

There'll be blue birds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow
Just you wait and see.

There'll be joy and laughter
And peace ever after,
Tomorrow
When the world is free,

The shepherd will count his sheep
The valleys will bloom again,
And Jimmy will go to sleep
In his own little room again,

There'll be blue birds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow
Just you wait and see.

ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY

I am an old woman
Named after my mother
My old man is another
Child that's grown old

If dreams were thunder
And lightnin' was desire
This old house would'a burned down
A long time ago

Make me an angel, to fly from Montgomery
Make me a poster, of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing, I can hold onto
To believe in this living is just a, hard way to go

When I was a young girl
I had me a cowboy
He wasn't much to look at
Just a free ramblin' man

Aw, but that was a long time
And no matter how I try
Those years they just flow by
Like a broken - down dam

Make me an angel, to fly from Montgomery
Make me a poster, of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing, I can hold onto
To believe in this living is just a, hard way to go

There's flies in the kitchen
I can hear 'em a - buzzin
But I ain't done nothin
Since I woke up today

How the hell can a person
Go to work in the mornin'
And come home in the evenin'
And have nothin' to say?

Make me an angel, to fly from Montgomery
Make me a poster, of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing, I can hold onto
To believe in this living is just a, hard way to go

SONNY'S DREAM

Sonny lives on a farm on a wide open space
Where you can take off your sneakers and give up the race
You could lay down your head by a sweet river bed
But Sonny always remembers what it was his Mama said

Sonny carries a load though he's barely a man
There ain't all that to do, still he does what he can
And he watches the sea from a room by the stairs
And the waves keep on rollin', they've done that for years

Oh, Sonny don't go away, I am here all alone
And your daddy's a sailor who never comes home
And the nights get so long and the silence goes on
And I'm feeling so tired, I'm not all that strong

And it's a hundred miles to town, Sonny's never been there
And he goes to the highway and stands there and stares
And the mail comes at four and the mailman is old
Oh, but he still dreams his dreams full of silver and gold

Sonny's dreams can't be real, they're just stories he's read
They're just stars in his eyes, they're just dreams in his head
And he's hungry inside for the wide world outside
And I know I can't hold him though I've tried and I've tried

Oh, Sonny, don't go away, I am here all alone
And your daddy's a sailor who never comes home
And the nights get so long and the silence goes on
And I'm feeling so tired, I'm not all that strong

MARI MAC

There's a cute little lass and her name is Mari-Mac
And make no mistake she's the girl I'm gonna track
Lots of other fellas try to get her on the back.
But I'm thinkin' they'll have to get up early.

Chorus

Mari-Macs mother's makin' Mari-Mac marry me
My mother's makin' me marry Mari-Mac
Well I'm gonna marry Mari cause Mari's takin' care o' me.
We'll all be feelin' marry when I marry Mari-Mac.

Now Mari and her mother are an awful lot together
In fact you hardly see the one without the other
And people often wonder if it's Mari or her mother
Or both of them together I'm courting

(chorus)

Well up among the heather in the hills of Benafee
Well I had a Bonnie lass sittin' on my knee
A bumble bee stung me right above the knee
Up among the heather in the hills of Benafee

(chorus)

Well I said to bonnie lass how we gonna pass the day
She said among the heather in the hills of Benafee
Where all the boys and girls are making up a fray
Up among the heather in the hills of Benafee

(chorus)

Wedding's on a Wednesday, everything's arranged
Soon you'll never change your mind unless you minus change
Of making the arrangements and feelings lots of rage
Marriage is an awful undertaking

(chorus)

Sure to be a grand for grand of that a fair
Gonna be a fork and plate for every man that’s there
And I'll be a bugger if I don't get my share
All though I may be very much mistaken

(chorus)

There's a neat little lass and her name is Mari Mac
Make no mistake, she's the girl I'm gonna track
Lot's of other fellas try to get her on her back
But I think they're gonna have to get up early

(chorus)

THE GREEN GREEN GRASS OF HOME

The old home town looks the same
As I step down from the train,
And there to meet me is my mama and papa.
Down the road I look and there runs Mary,
Hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It's good to touch
The green, green grass of home.

Chorus

Yes, they'll all come to meet me,
Arms reaching, smiling sweetly;
It's good to touch
The green, green grass of home

The old house is still standing
Tho' the paint is cracked and dry,
And there's that old oak tree that I used to play on.
Down the lane I walk with my sweet Mary,
Hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It's good to touch
The green, green grass of home.

Chorus

Then I awake and look around me
At four grey walls that surround me
And I realize that I was only dreaming.
For there's a guard, and there's a sad old padre,
Arm in arm we'll walk at daybreak.
Again I'll touch
The green, green grass of home.

Chorus

Yes, they'll all come to see me
In the the shade of that old oak tree
As they lay me
'neath the green, green grass of home.

WORKING MAN

It's a working man I am,
And I've been down underground,
And I swear to God, if I ever see the sun,
Or for any length of time,
I can hold it in my mind,
I never again will go down underground.

At the age of sixteen years,
He quarrels with his peers,
Who vow they'll never see another one,
In the dark recess of the mine,
Where you age before your time,
And the coal dust lies heavy on your lungs.

It's a working man I am,
And I've been down underground,
And I swear to God, if I ever see the sun,
Or for any length of time,
I can hold it in my mind,
I never again will go down underground.

At the age of sixty-four,
He'll greet you at the door,
And he'll gently lead you by the arm,
Through the dark recess of the mine,
Oh, he'll take you back in time,
And he'll tell you of the hardships that were his.

It's a working man I am,
And I've been down underground,
And I swear to God, if I ever see the sun,
Or for any length of time,
I can hold it in my mind,
I never again will go down underground.

Room Full of Roses

If I sent a rose to you for every time you made me blue
You’d have a room full of roses
And if I sent a rose of white, for every time I cried all night
You’d have a room full of roses
And if you took the petals and took them all apart
You’d be tearing at the roses just the way you tore my heart
If someday you were feeling blue and you could send me some roses too
Well I don’t want a room full of roses
I just want my arms full of you

MULL OF KINTYRE

Mull of Kintyre oh mist rolling in from the sea
My desire, is always to be here, Oh Mull of Kintyre

Far have I travelled, and much have I seen
Darkest of mountains with valleys of green
Vast painted deserts, the sun sets on fire
As we carries home to, the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre oh mist rolling in from, the sea
My desire, is always to be here, Oh Mull of Kintyre

Sweep through the heather, like deer in the glen
Carry me back to the days I knew then
Nights when we sang like a heavenly choir
Are the life and the times of, the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre oh mist rolling in from, the sea
My desire, is always to be here, Oh Mull of Kintyre

Smiles in the sunshine and tears in the rain
Still take me back where my memories, remain
Flickering ambers grow higher and high
As they carry me back to, the Mull of Kintyre

Mull of Kintyre oh mist rolling in from, the sea
My desire, is always to be here, Oh Mull of Kintyre

ALL MY LIFE'S A CIRCLE

Chorus
All my life's a circle;
Sunrise and sundown;
Moon rolls thru the nighttime;
Till the daybreak comes around.
All my life's a circle;
But I can't tell you why;
Season's spinning round again;
The years keep rollin' by.

It seems like I've been here before;
I can't remember when;
But I have this funny feeling;
That we'll all be together again.
No straight lines make up my life;
And all my roads have bends;
There's no clear-cut beginnings;
And so far no dead-ends.

Chorus

I found you a thousand times;
I guess you done the same;
But then we lose each other;
It's like a children's game;
As I find you here again;
A thought runs through my mind;
Our love is like a circle;
Let's go 'round one more time.

Chorus

On Top of Old Smokey

On top of old Smokey
All covered with snow
I lost my true lover
By courting to slow

Courintg is a pleasure
But parting is a grief
An' a false hearted lover
Is worst than a thief

For a thief will rob you
An' take what you gave
But a false hearted lover
Will lead you to your grave

The grave will decay
An' turn you to dust
Not a boy in a hundred
That a poor girl can trust

For, they'll hug an' they'll kiss you
An' tell you more lies
Than the crossties on a railroad
Or the stars in the sky

Come all you young girls
An' listen to me
Don't place your affection
On a green growin' tree

For, the leaves they will wither
An' the roots will decay
An' a false hearted lover
Will soon fade away

KING OF THE ROAD

Trailers for sale or rent
Rooms to let fifty cents.
No phone, no pool, no pets
I ain't got no cigarettes
All but two hours of pushin' brooms
Buys an eight by twelve four-bit room
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road.

Third boxcar, midnight train
Destination...Bangor, Maine.
Old worn out suit and shoes,
I don't pay no union dues,
I smoke old stogies I have found
Short, but not too big around
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road.

I know every engineer on every train
All of their children, and all of their names
And every handout in every town
And every lock that ain't a lock
When no one's around,

I sing,
Trailers for sale or rent
Rooms to let, fifty cents
No phone, no pool, no pets
I ain't got no cigarettes
All but, two hours of pushin' broom
Buys an eight by twelve four-bit room
I'm a man of means by no means
King of the road.

STREETS OF LONDON

Have you seen the old man
In the closed-down market
Kicking up the paper,
with his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride
And held loosely at his side
Yesterday's paper telling yesterday's news

Chorus

So how can you tell me you're lonely,
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old girl
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talking,
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.

Chorus

In the all night cafe
At a quarter past eleven,
Same old man is sitting there on his own
Looking at the world
Over the rim of his tea-cup,
Each tea last an hour
Then he wanders home alone

Chorus

And have you seen the old man
Outside the seaman's mission
Memory fading with
The medal ribbons that he wears.
In our winter city,
The rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn't care

Chorus

Oh Do You Remember?

Oh do you remember sweetheart of mine,
Come turn back the pages of time
To the night that you promised that you would be mine
While strolling along in the moonlight

Oh yes I remember, remember my dear
Possessions were meager but love so sincere
And I can recall so vivid and clear
Just strolling along in the moonlight

Oh do you remember that little farm gate
favorite spot, and the hours ran late
Where we never did part without making a date
Then we’d both kiss goodnight in the moonlight

Oh yes I remember we laughed and we’d sing
’Twas there that you gave me a small diamond ring
And we spoke of the joys that our wedding would bring
As you held me so close in the moonlight

Oh do you remember while gazing above
We spoke of God’s wisdom, His power and His love
And visioned Him near on wings like a dove
And we felt secure in the moonlight

Oh yes I remember we gazed at the sky
We counted the stars in the dipper on high
And vowed to be true
’Till the day that we die
Just strolling along in the moonlight

Oh do you remember that beautiful morn
We wed on the date that our Savior was born
And the pretty gay trimmings your home did adorn
Then came the sleigh ride in the moonlight

Oh yes I remember sleigh bells in the snow
With the northern lights in the heavens aglow
Old Dobbin sped forward and onward did go
Was a real complete night in the moonlight

Oh do you remember ‘twas just yesterday
But that little farm gate has long gone to decay
Our families some married have kiddies so gay
But we still take a stroll in the moonlight

Oh yes I remember it doesn’t seem long
We can’t help but wonder where the years they have gone
But our love will still remain we’ll keep singin’ our song
And keep playing along in the moonlight.

Bottle of Wine

Bottle of wine, fruit of the vine
When you going’ let me get sober
Leave me alone, let me go home
Let me go home and start over

Rambled around this dirty old town
Singing for nickels and dimes
Times getting tough, I ain’t got enough
To buy me a bottle of wine

Little hotel, older than Hell,
Dark as the coal in a mine,
Blanket are thin, I lay there and grin,
'Cause I got a little bottle of wine.

Pain in my head, bugs in my bed,
Pants are so old that they shine,
Out on the street, tell the people I meet,
Wont you buy me a bottle of wine?

A preacher will preach, a teacher will teach,
A miner will dig in the mine,
I ride the roads, trusting in God,
And hugging my bottle of wine.

The Emigrant’s Lament

I’m sitting on the stile Mary
Where we once sat side by side
On a bright May morning long ago
When first you were my bride
The corn was springing fresh and green
And the lark sang loud and high
The red was on your lips Mary
And the love light in your eye

The place is little changed, Mary
The day is bright as then
The larks’ loud song is in my ear
And the corn is green again
But I miss the soft clasp of your hand
And your warm breath on my cheek
And I’ll still keep listening for the words
That you nevermore shall speak

‘Tis but a step down yonder lane
And the little church stands near
The church where we were wed Mary
I can see the spire from here
But the graveyard lies between Mary
And my step might break your rest
Where I laid you darling down to sleep
With the baby on your breast

I’m very lonely now Mary
For the poor make no new friends
But oh they love them better still
For the few our father sends
And you were all I had Mary
My blessing and my pride
There’s nothing left to care for now
Since my poor Mary died

I’m bidding you a fond farewell
My Mary kind and true
But I’ll not forget you darling
In the land I’m going to
They say there’s bread and work for all
And the sunshine’s always there
But, I’ll not forget old Ireland
Were it fifty times as fair

They had Neither Pole Nor Paddle

Gentle friends, come hear my story
It will melt your hearts tho’ stony
Marooned on an island lonely
Were three boatmen of Margaree

English Chorus:
They had neither pole nor paddle
Gasoline or steam to travel
They had neither pole nor paddle
Hence they could not cross the stream

Gaelic Chorus:
Oichoin, a chridh, gur truagh a bha iad
Oidche fuar air eilean gabhaidh
Açuimhneachadh air Chriosd a Slanáir
Ag uirneadh, ged a bha iad sgith

What a night of fear and sorrow
Wintery winds to freeze the marrow
Thoughts of God for on the morrow
They might with the angels be

Chorus

Gladly they’d have crossed the river
For to shove a helpless fliver
Fate had willed that they should never
Cross in safety over the stream

Chorus

Donald said, I’ve done duty
But, what grieves me absolutely
Void of wine and women’s beauty
Shall our lonely vigil be

Chorus

Alan said I am not whining
And I’ll meet my marker smiling
T’was the licking I gave Simon
That has brought ill luck on me

Chorus

Johnny said I am a spender
And I’ve been on many a bender
Now to death I’ll not surrender
Gee, a fence pole would be keen

Chorus

When the crow of cock presaged the morning
Warning lovers of the dawning
Malcom Joe to home returning
Heard their voices in the stream

Chorus

Twilight and the mist of morning
Made them silhouettes appalling
And their ceaseless plaintive calling
Didn’t help the dismal scene

Chrous

Man of action fearless ever
Malcom swam they icy river
With a fence pole free of sliver
For his friends to set them free

Chorus

Rising sun shone on the highland
Ere he reached the tiny island
Where the trio never silent
Grabbed the pole in loudest glee

Chorus

Volga boatman drifting lonely
Thinking of his Olga comely
Famed like him in song and story
Shall our Margaree boatmen be

Chorus

Two Little Fleas

There were two little fleas
They wanted to roam
They packed their bags
And they left their home
They flew thru the fields with
a high and a hum
And they told their parents to kiss
their bum

They flew right over the grocery store
They shit on the ceiling and they
shit on the floor
They shit on the ham and the lamb and the jam
And they shit all over the grocery man

They flew right over the grocery clerk
They shit on her hair and they shit on her skirt
They shit on the sugar and they shit on the tea
And if I was their , they’d a shit on me…..

The Alphabet Song???(not sure of the name)

A your adorable
B your so beautiful
C you’re a cutie full of charm
D your a darling
And E your exciting
And F you’re a feather in my arms
G you look good to me
H your so heavenly
I you’re the one I Idolize
J your like Jack and Jill
K your so kissable
L is the love light in your eyes
M, N, O, P
I could go on all day
Q, R, S, T
Alphabetically speaking your ok
U make my life complete
V means your very sweet
W, X, Y Z
It’s nice to wander thru
The alphabet with you
To tell you what you mean to me

Pay My Alimony

Come all you handsome single men
And listen to my story
Once I wed a lovely girl
Just because my heart was lonely

We were wed about a year
When everything went phoney
She had me up in every court in town
Just to pay her alimony

Chorus

Oh pay my alimony
Oh pay my alimony
She had me up in every court in town
Just to pay her alimony

She followed me everywhere I went
She counted every dollar
And every time I spent a dime
You were sure to hear her holler

My pocketbook I’ve thrown away
I live on stale balony
Just to keep on paying my wife
Her gall darn alimony

Chorus

One day I got a letter
That my wife was slowly sinkin
I hastened to her bedside
Just to see what she was thinkin

And in that sad and solemn hour
Her voice grew cold and stoney
She opened up her fading eyes
And she whispered alimony

Chorus

Many years have come and gone
My heart once more was gay
When I happened to be passing
By the graveyard where she lay
And out from behind a ghostly tomb
Came a form all lank and boney
A voice rang out in the midnight air
Oh pay my alimony

GYPSY ROVER

Chorus Ah-dee-doo-ah-dee-doo-dah-day
Ah-dee-doo-ah-dee-day-dee
He whistled and he sang 'til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.

A gypsy rover came over the hill
into the valley so shady.
He whistled and he sang 'til the green woods rang
and he won the heart of a lady.

Chorus...

She left her father's castle gate.
She left her own true lover.
She left her servants and her estate
to follow her gypsy rover.

Chorus...

Her father mounted his fastest stead
and searched the valley all over.
He sought his daughter at great speed
and the whistlin' gypsy rover.

Chorus...

At last he came to a mansion fine
down by the river glady.
And there was music and there was wine
for the gypsy and his lady.

Chorus...

"He is no gypsy, my Father," she cried
"but Lord of these lands all over.
And I shall stay 'til my dying day
with my whistlin' gypsy rover."

THE SEA CRAB

Good morning, mister fisherman, I wish you well.
Please tell me have you any sea crabs to sell?"
Mush a ding eye, mush a toodle eye day.
"Yes, I have got sea crabs, one, two and three.
Take any you want; it makes no matter to me."
Mush a ding eye, mush a toodle eye day.

He grabbed one old sea crab by his back bone.
He hustled and tussled 'til he got that crab home.
Mush a ding eye, etc.

When the old man got home, the old wife was asleep,
So he put him in the pisspot just for to keep.
Mush a ding eye, etc.

The old wife got up for to take a long shit.
The God damned old sea crab grabbed her by the clit.
Mush a ding eye, etc.

"Husband, oh, husband, now what shall I do?
The devil's in the pisspot and he's got me by the flue."
Mush a ding eye, etc.

The old man ran over and lifted her clothes,
And he took his other pincher and he grabbed at his nose.
Mush a ding eye, etc.

"Now Johnny, have the doctor hitch his horse and cart,
Come get your father's nose and your mother's cunt apart."
Mush a ding eye, etc.

It tickled the children right down to their soul
To see their pa's nose in their mother's peehole.
Mush a ding eye, etc.

TIREE LOVE SONG

Chorus

he-ree he-ro my bonnie wee girl.
he-ree he-ro my fair one.
Will you come away my love.
To be my own my rare one.

Smiling the land, shining the sea.
Sweet is the smell o' the heather.
Would we were younger you and me.
The two of us together.

Chorus

All the day long, out on the peat.
Then on the shore in the gloaming.
Stepping it lightly with dancing feet.
And then together roaming.

Chorus

Laughter above, singing below.
Tripping it lithsome and airy.
Could we be asking of life for more.
My own my darling Mary.

Chorus

WHEN WE WERE SWEET SIXTEEN

When first I saw the love light in your eye
I dreamt the world held naught but joy for me
And even though we drifled far apart
I never dream, but what I dream of thee

I love you as I never loved before
Sincefirst I met you on the village green
Come to me or my dream of love is O'er
I love you as I loved you,
When you were sweet
When you were sweet sixteen

Last night I dreamt I held your hand in mine
And once again you were my happy bride
I kissed you as I did in Auld Lang Syne
As to the church we wandered side by side

I love you as I never loved before
Sincefirst I met you on the village green
Come to me or my dream of love is O'er
I love you as I loved you,
When you were sweet
When you were sweet sixteen

Mary Ellen carter

She went down last October in the pouring, driving rain.
The skipper he’d been drinking and the mate he felt no pain.
Too close to Three Mile Rock and she was dealt her mortal blow
And the Marry Ellen Carter sitting low.

There was just us five aboard her when she finally was a-wash.
We worked like hell to save her all heedless of the cost.
And the groan she gave as she went down, it caused us to proclaim
That the Mary Ellen Carter’d rise again.

Well, the owners wrote her off, not a nickel would they spend.
"She gave twenty years of service, boys, and met her sorry end.
But insurance paid the loss to us, so let her rest below,"
They laughed at us and said we’d have to go.

But we talked of her all winter, some days around the clock,
She’s worth a quarter million, a-floating at the dock.
And with every jar that hit the bar we swore we would remain
And watch the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.

Chorus:

Rise again, rise again,
Let her name not be lost to the knowledge of men
For those who loved her best and were with her to the end,
We’ll make the Mary Ellen Cater, rise again.

All spring, now, we’ve been with her on a barge lent by a friend.
Three dives a day in a hard hat suit and twice I’ve had the bends.
Thank God it’s only sixty feet and the currents here are slow
Or I’d never have the strength to go below.

But we’ve patched her rents, and stopped her vents,
dogged hatch and porthole down
Put cables to her fore and aft and girded her around;
And tomorrow, noon, we hit the air and then take up the strain
And watch the Mary Ellen Carter rise again.

Chorus

For we couldn’t leave her there, you see, to crumble into scale.
She’d saved our lives so many times, living through the gale;
And the laughing, drunken rats who left her to a sorry grave,
They won’t be laughing in another day.

And you, to whom adversity has dealt that final blow,
With smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go
Turn to and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain
And like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again!

Last Chorus 2x

Rise again, rise again,
Thou your heart, it be broken, your life about to end,
No matter what you’ve lost, be it a home, a love, a friend,
Be like the Mary Ellen Carter:
RISE AGAIN!

GESIHA GIRL

Have you ever heard a love song,
that you didn't understand
Where you met her in a teahouse,
on the Island of Japan
And have you ever travelled over
many thousand miles
To see a pretty Gesiha Girl,
dressed in Oriental style.

CHORUS

They read it in the tealeaves
and it's written in the sand
I found love by the heart full,
in a foreign distant land
Tell the home folks that I'm happy,
with someone that's true, I know
I love a pretty Geisha Girl,
where the ocean breezes blow.

I have stood and watched the sun rise,
from the waters of the sea
And wondered how much beauty,
in this whole world can there be
My dreams are all worth dreamin'
and it makes my life worthwhile
To see my pretty Geisha Girl,
dressed in Oriental style

Chorus

THE LITTLE OLD SHACK OUT BACK

They passed an ordinance in the town:
they said we'd have to tear it down,
That little old shack out back so dear to me,
Though the Health department said,
"Its day was over and dead"
It will stand forever in my memory.

Chorus:

Don't let em tear that little brown building down,
Don't let em tear that precious building down,
Don't let em tear that little brown building down,
For there's not another like it in the country or the town.

It was not so long ago that I went trippin' through the snow
Out to that house behind my old hound dog
Where I would sit me down to rest like a snowbird on his nest
and read the Sears and Roebuck catalog

I would hum a happy tune,
Peepin' through the quarter-Moon,
As my daddy's kin had done before;
It was in that quiet spot,
That daily cares could be forgot...
It gave the same relief to rich and poor.

Chorus:

Now it was not a castle fair
But I could build my future there,
an' build my castles to the yellow jacket's drone:
I could orbit round the Sun,
Fight with General Washington,
Or be a King upon his golden throne.

It wasn't fancy built at all.
It had newspapers on the wall
It was air-conditioned in the wintertime;
It was just a humble hut but its door would never shut,
And a man could get inside without a dime.

Chorus:

COAL TOWN ROAD

We get up in the black
Down the coal town road
And we hike along the track
Where the coal trains load
And you make the ponies pull
Till they almost break their backs
And they'll never see again
Down the coal town road.

We hear the whistle call
Down the coal town road
And we take our towels and all
Where the coal trains load
In the cages then we drop
Till there's nowhere else to fall
And we leave the world behind
Down the coal town road.

We never see the sun
Down the coal town road
At a penny for the ton
Where the coal trains roll
When the shift comes up on top
We're so thankful to be done
We head home to sleep and dream
About the coal town road.

There's miners' little sons
Down the coal town road
Playing with their cowboy guns
Where the coal trains roll
But they'd better make the best
Of their childhood while it runs
There's a pick and shovel waitin'
Down the coal town road.

If there's a God for us
Down the coal town road
All the miners he can bless
Where the coal trains roll
For we're sweatin' in the hole
Suckin' down that Devil's dust
Just to keep the fires blazin'
Down the coal town road.

THE GIFT

A poor orphan girl named Maria
Was walking to market one day
She stopped for to rest by the roadside
Where a bird with a broken wing lay
A few moments passed till she saw it
For it's feathers were covered with sand
But soon clean and wrapped it was traveling
In the warmth of Maria's small hand

She happily gave her last peso
On a cage made of rushes and twine
She fed it loose corn from the market
and watched it grow stronger with time

Now the Christmas Eve service was coming
And the church shone with tinsel and light
And all of the townfolk brought presents
To lay by the manger that night
There were diamonds and incense and perfumes
In packages fit for a king
But for one ragged bird in a small cage
Maria had nothing to bring

She waited till just before midnight
So no one would see her go in
And crying she knelt by the manger
For her gift was unworthy of Him

The a voice spoke to her through the darkness
Maria, what brings you to me
If the bird in the cage is your offering
Open the door, let me see
Though she trembled, she did as he asked her
And out of the cage the bird flew
Soaring up into the rafters
On a wing that had healed good as new

Just then the midnight bells rang out
And the little bird started to sing
A song that no words could recapture
Whose beauty was fit for a king

Now Maria felt blessed just to listen
To that cascade of notes sweet and long
as her offering was lifted to heaven
By the very first nightengales's song

FATHER AND SON

Its not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but Im happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that its not easy,
To be calm when youve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything youve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
Its always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

Its not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
Youre still young, thats your fault,
Theres so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but Im happy.

All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
Its hard, but its harder to ignore it.
If they were right, Id agree, but its them you know not me.
Now theres a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go

THE WEIGHT

I pulled into Nazareth, I was feelin' about half past dead;
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.

(Chorus:)

Take a load off Fannie, take a load for free; Take a load off Fannie, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown."
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around."

(Chorus)

Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day.
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, woncha stay an' keep Anna Lee company?"

(Chorus)

Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.
He said, "I will fix your rags, if you'll take Jack, my dog."
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man."
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can."

(Chorus)

Catch a Cannonball, now, t'take me down the line
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time.
To get back to Miss Annie, you know she's the only one.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.

(Chorus)

DEAR ABBEY

Dear Abby, Dear Abby ...
My feet are too long
My hair's falling out and my rights are all wrong
My friends they all tell me that I've no friends at all
Won't you write me a letter, Won't you give me a call
Signed Bewildered
Bewildered, Bewildered...

Chorus:

You have no complaint
You are what your are and you ain't what you ain't
So listen up Buster, and listen up good
Stop wishing for bad luck and knocking on wood

Dear Abby, Dear Abby...
My fountain pen leaks
My wife hollers at me and my kids are all freaks
Every side I get up on is the wrong side of bed
If it weren't so expensive I'd wish I were dead
Signed Unhappy
Unhappy, Unhappy...

Repeat Chorus

Dear Abby, Dear Abby...
You won't believe this
But my stomach makes noises whenever I kiss
My girlfriend tells me It's all in my head
But my stomach tells me to write you instead
Signed Noise-maker
Noise-maker, Noise-maker

Repeat Chorus

Dear Abby, Dear Abby...
Well I never thought
That me and my girlfriend would ever get caught
We were sitting in the back seat just shooting the breeze
With her hair up in curlers and her pants to her knees
Signed Just Married
Just Married, Just Married...

Repeat Chorus

IN SPITE OF OURSELVES

She don't like her eggs all runny
She thinks crossin' her legs is funny
She looks down her nose at money
She gets it on like the Easter Bunny
She's my baby I'm her honey
I'm never gonna let her go

He ain't got laid in a month of Sundays
I caught him once and he was sniffin' my undies
He ain't too sharp but he gets things done
Drinks his beer like it's oxygen
He's my baby
And I'm his honey
Never gonna let him go

In spite of ourselves
We'll end up a'sittin' on a rainbow
Against all odds
Honey, we're the big door prize
We're gonna spite our noses
Right off of our faces
There won't be nothin' but big old hearts
Dancin' in our eyes.

She thinks all my jokes are corny
Convict movies make her horny
She likes ketchup on her scrambled eggs
Swears like a sailor when shaves her legs
She takes a lickin'
And keeps on tickin'
I'm never gonna let her go.

He's got more balls than a big brass monkey
He's a wacked out werido and a lovebug junkie
Sly as a fox and crazy as a loon
Payday comes and he's howlin' at the moon
He's my baby I don't mean maybe
Never gonna let him go

PLEASE DON'T BURY ME

Woke up this morning
Put on my slippers
Walked in the kitchen and died
And oh what a feeling!
When my soul
Went thru the ceiling
And on up into heaven I did ride
When I got there they did say
John, it happened this way
You slipped upon the floor
And hit your head
And all the angels say
Just before you passed away
These were the very last words
That you said:

Chorus:

Please don't bury me
Down in that cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have "em" cut me up
And pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane
And the blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears
If they don't mind the size

Give my stomach to Milwaukee
If they run out of beer
Put my socks in a cedar box
Just get "em" out of here
Venus de Milo can have my arms
Look out! I've got your nose
Sell my heart to the junkman
And give my love to Rose

Repeat Chorus

Give my feet to the footloose
Careless, fancy free
Give my knees to the needy
Don't pull that stuff on me
Hand me down my walking cane
It's a sin to tell a lie
Send my mouth way down south
And kiss my ass goodbye

Repeat Chorus

GOODNIGHT IRENE

Last saturday night, I got married,
Me and my wife settled down
Now me and my wife are parted,
I'm gonna take another stroll downtown

CHORUS

Irene Goodnight Irene,
Irene Goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I'll see you in my dreams

Sometimes I live in the country,
sometimes I live in town
Sometimes I take a great notion,
To jump into the river and drown.

CHORUS

I love Irene, God knows I do,
I'll love her till the seas run dry
But if Irene should turn me down,
I'd take the morphine and die.

CHORUS

Stop rambling, stop your gambling
Stop staying out late at night,
Go home to your wife and your family
Stay there by your fireside bright.

CHORUS

PEGGY GORDON