The Dubliners

[fox69]

"I'll Tell My Ma"

"I'll Tell My Ma"



I'll tell my ma when I get home,
The boys won't leave the girls alone
They pull my hair and stole my comb
But that's all right till I go home

She is handsome, she is pretty,
She is the Belle of Belfast city
She is a courtin' one, two, three,
Please won't you tell me who is she

Albert Mooney says he loves her,
All the boys are fightin' for her
Knock at the door and ring at the bell,
Saying oh my true love, are you well

Out she comes as white as snow,
Rrings on her fingers, bells on her toes
Ould Johnny Morrissey says she'll die
If she doesn't get the fella with the roving eye

Let the wind and the rain and the hail blow high
And the snow come travellin' through the sky
She's as sweet as apple pie,
She'll get her own lad by and by

When she gets a lad of her own
She won't tell her ma when she gets home
Let them all come as they will
For it's Albert Mooney she loves still

 

[fox69]

"I'm A Rover"

"I'm A Rover"



There's ne'er a nicht I'm gane to ramble, there's ne'er a nicht I'm gane to roam
There's ne'er a nicht I'm gane to ramble, intae the erms of me ain true love

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

Though the nicht be as dark as dungeon, not a star can be seen above
I will be guided without a stumble, intae the erms of my ane true love

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

He stepped up tae her bedroom winday, kneeling gently upon a staine
He whispers through her bedroom winday, my darling dear do you lie alaine

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

She raised her head from her down soft pillow, wi' her erms around her breasts
Says: ”Why is that that my bedroom winday is 'sterbing me at my long nicht's rest?”

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

Says I: ”My love it's I thy true lover, open the door and let me in
For I have come on a long nights journey more than near drenched to my skin”

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

She opened the door wi' the greatest pleasure, she opened the door and she let him in
They both shook hands and embraced each other, until the morning they lay as one

I'm a rover, seldom sober, I'm a rover of high degree
It's when I'm drinkin' I'm always thinkin' how to gain my love's company

Says I: My love I must go and leave you, to climb the hills they are far above
But I will climb wi' the greatest pleasure, since I've been in the arms of my love

 

[fox69]

"If Ever You Go To Dublin Town"

"If Ever You Go To Dublin Town"



If you ever go to Dublin town
In a hundred years or so
Inquire for me in Baggot street
And what I was like to know
O he was the queer one
Fol dol the di do
He was a queer one
And I tell you

My great-grandmother knew him well,
He asked her to come and call
On him in his flat and she giggled at the thought
Of a young girl's lovely fall.
O he was dangerous,
Fol dol the di do,
He was dangerous,
And I tell you

On Pembroke Road look out for me ghost,
Dishevelled with shoes untied,
Playing through the railings with little children
Whose children have long since died.
O he was a nice man,
Fol do the di do,
He was a nice man
And I tell you

Go into a pub and listen well
If my voice still echoes there,
Ask the men what their grandsires thought
And tell them to answer fair,
O he was eccentric,
Fol do the di do,
He was eccentric
And I tell you

He had the knack of making men feel
As small as they really were
Which meant as great as God had made them
But as males they disliked his air.
O he was a proud one,
Fol do the di do,
He was a proud one
And I tell you

If ever you go to Dublin town
In a hundred years or so
Sniff for my personality,
Is it Vanity's vapour now?
O he was a vain one,
Fol dol the di do,
He was a vain one
And I tell you

I saw his name with a hundred more
In a book in the library,
It said he had never fully achieved
His potentiality.
O he was slothful,
Fol do the di do,
He was slothful
And I tell you

He knew that posterity had no use
For anything but the soul,
The lines that speak the passionate heart,
The spirit that lives alone.
O he was a lone one,
Fol do the di do
O he was a lone one,
And I tell you

O he was a lone one,
Fol do the di do
Yet he lived happily
And I tell you.

 

[fox69]

"Jar Of Porter"

"Jar Of Porter"



Toora loora loora la, toora loora loora la
Toora loora loora la, give the child a jar of porter
Toora loora loora la, toora loora loora la
Sing toora loora loora la, give the child a jar of porter

If you want your child to grow, your child to grow, your child to grow
If you want your child to grow, give 'im a jar of porter

Sing toora loora loora la, toora loora loora la
Sing toora loora loora la, give 'im a jar of porter

When I was young and cradle cake, no drop of milk now would I take
Me father up, then had his spake, "Give the child a jar of porter"

Sing toora loora loora la, toora loora loora la;
Sing toora loora loora la, give the child a jar of porter

When I am dead and in my grave, I hope for me a prayer you'll say
And as you're passing by that you'll throw in a jar of porter

Toora loora loora la, toora loora loora la
Sing toora loora loora la, throw in a jar of porter

And when I reach the golden gates, I hope I'll not have long to wait
I'll call Saint Peter aside and say "Brought yup a jar of porter"

Sing toora loora loora la, toora loora loora la
Sing toora loora loora la, brought yup a jar of porter

 

[fox69]

"Joe Hill"

"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
'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
I never died, says he.

 

[fox69]

"Johnny Doyle"

"Johnny Doyle"



You sons of Dan O'Connels Isle
Pray pay attention to my ditty
For it's all about a fair young man
His birthplace it was Dublin city

My song is for to demonstrate
A story with a pius moral
Beginning by the Carlisle bridge
And ending on the Isles of Coral

A scooner stood by George's Quay
With sails all furled one saltry season
A maiden paced upon that quay
She wept like one bereft of reason

Oh Johnny Doyle's me love it's true
It's true but full of deep contrition
For what will all the neighbours say
About yourself and my condition

Well the sails unfurled while the capstan turned
The scooner scudded down the Liffey
The maid she gave one piercing wail
She was a mother in a jiffy

They sailed across the harbour bar
And headed east for foreign waters
To China where they think they're wise
And drown at birth their surplus daughters

Now years and yeas had come and gone
'Till Mary's child grew self supporting
But how her poor old heart would break
When that young buck went out a-courting

He leaved me all alone she said
He leaved me alone in melancoly
I'll dress meself in man's attire
And sail the seven seas for Johnny

She signed on board of a pirate barque
That raided 'round the hot equator
And with them hairy buccaneers
There sailed a sweet and virtuos creature

Well the captain thought her name was Bill
His caracter it was nefarious
And with them hairy buccaneers
Her situation was precarious

Now in the Saragosa sea
Two rakish barques were idly lollin'
And Mary on the quarterdeck
The middlewatch was she patrolling

She gazed upon the neighbouring barque
And suddenly became exclaiment
For there upon that gilded poop
Stood Johhny Doyle in gorgeous raiment

They're happy now in sweet Ringsend
The jewl that sparkles on the dodder
They lead a peaceful merchants life
A do a trade in oats and fodder

By marriage lines she's Mrs Doyle
She keeps a store of periwinkles
When she says she's in thay way again
His one good eye with joy it twinkles

 

[fox69]

"Johnny McGory"

"Johnny McGory"



Hey, Johnny Mcgory
Tell me where's your glory gone
I saw you up in the Monto
With your old leg gone
A dirty Flanders bullet
Sure it left you half a man
Hey, Johnny Mcgory
Where's your old leg gone

Up the Sally Gardens
Around the back of the pipes
Messing with the liberty bells
A man could lose his stripes
Trading on your troubles
And grabbing every chance
To show the randy old ones
All the things you learned in France

Hey, Johnny Mcgory
Tell me where's your glory gone
I saw you up in the Monto
With your old leg gone
A dirty Flanders bullet
Sure it left you half a man
Hey, Johnny Mcgory
Where's your old leg gone

Up the Gloucester Diamond
Red Biddy on your mind
Not a tosser in your pocket
Nor a soul you could remind
The lord knows you're a darling

You never did give in
Your neck's as hard as concrete
And your laugh's a mortal sin

Hey, Johnny Mcgory
Tell me where's your glory gone
I saw you up in the Monto
With your old leg gone
A dirty Flanders bullet
Sure it left you half a man
Hey, Johnny Mcgory
Where's your old leg gone

Monday in the Iveagh
Tuesday in the dregs
Wednesday's walking wounded
Thursday's soldier begs
Friday's heroes on the touch
And Saturday's lost again
How if Sunday's good intentions
Sure we start the week again

Hey, Johnny Mcgory
Tell me where's your glory gone
I saw you up in the Monto
With your old leg gone
A dirty Flanders bullet
Sure it left you half a man
Hey, Johnny Mcgory
Where's your old leg gone

 

[fox69]

"Johnson's Motorcar"

"Johnson's Motorcar"



'Twas down by Brannigan's Corner, one morning I did stray
I met a fellow rebel, and to me he did say
"We've orders from the captain to assemble at Dunbar
But how are we to get there, without a motor car?"

"Oh, Barney dear, be of good cheer, I'll tell you what we'll do
The specials they are plentiful, the I.R.A. are few
We'll send a wire to Johnson to meet us at Stranlar
And we'11 give the boys a bloody good ride in Johnson's Motor Car

When doctor Johnson heard the news he soon put on his shoes
He says this is an urgent case, there is no time to lose
He then put on his castor hat and on his breast a star
You could hear the din all through Glenfin of Johnson's Motor Car

But when he got to the railway bridge, some rebels he saw there
Old Johnson knew the game was up, for at him they did stare
He said "I have a permit, to travel near and far"
"You can stick your English permit, we want your motor car"

"What will my local brethren think, when they hear the news
My car it has been commandeered, by the rebels at Dunluce"
"We'll give you a receipt for it, all signed by Captain Barr
And when Ireland gets her freedom, boy, you'll get your motor car"

Well we put that car in motion and filled it to the brim
With guns and bayonets shining which made old Johnson grim
And Barney hoisted a Snn Fein flag, and it fluttered like a star
And we gave three cheers for the I.R.A. and Johnson's Motor Car

 

[fox69]

"Kelly The Boy From Killane"

"Kelly The Boy From Killane"



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
Dauntless Kelly, the boy from Killane.

 

[fox69]

"Killieburn Brae"

"Killieburn Brae"



There was an ould man down by Killiburn Brae - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
There was an ould man down by Killiburn Brae
Had a curse of a wife for most of his days With me riful doldol, tidi folol
Fola doldol da dolda doldey

One day as this man he walked out in the glen - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
One day as this man he walked out in the glen
Well he met with the divil, says "How are ye then?"

The divil he says "I have come for your wife" - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
The divil he says "I have come for your wife"
For I hear she's the curse and the bane of your life

So the divil he hoisted her up on his back - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
So the divil he hoisted her up on his back
And away off to hell, with her he did whack

And when at last they came to hell's gates - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
And when at last they came to hell's gates
Well she lifted her stick and she battered his pate

There were two little divils there tied up in chains - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
There were two little divils there tied up in chains
Well she lifted her stick and she scattered their brains

There were two other divils there roaring like bulls - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
There were two other divils there roaring like bulls
And she lifted her stick and she battered their skulls

There were two other divils there playing at ball - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
There were two other divils there playing at ball
She lifted her stick and she battered them all

So the divil he hoisted her up on his back - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
So the divil he hoisted her up on his back
They were seven years coming and days going back

And when they came back to Killiburn Brae - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
And when they came back to Killiburn Brae
Well the divil he cried and he shouted hooray

Says he, me good man, here's your wife safe and well - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
Says he, me good man, here's your wife safe and well
For the likes of herself we would not have in hell

Which proves that the women are worse than the men - Riful, riful, tidi foldey
Which proves that the women are worse than the men
When they go down to hell they are thrown out again