The Ivory Family's Favorite Irish Songs

I grew up listening to the Clancy Brothers, who, for me, still represent true Irish folk music (hey, be quiet in the pedantic folk purists section over there!). Some of these songs have been rattling around in my head since I was old enough to painstakingly attempt to transcribe my family's Irish records so I could sing along. I particularly remember "I'm a rambler, I'm a gambler, I'm a long ways from home, and if you don't like me well, leave me alone..."

Ballinderry

'Tis pretty to be in Ballinderry,
Pretty to be in Aghalee
'Tis prettier to be on bonny Ram's Island
A-sittin' forever beneath a tree.

Ochone, ochone.
Ochone, ochone.

For often I sailed to bonny Ram's Island,
Arm in arm with Phelim, my love.
He would whistle and I would sing,
And we would make the whole island ring.

Ochone, ochone.
Ochone, ochone.

"I'm going," he said, "from bonny Ram's Island
Out and across the deep blue sea,
And if in your heart you love me, Mary,
Open your arms at last to me."

Ochone, ochone.
Ochone, ochone.

'Twas pretty to be in Ballinderry
But now it's as sad as sad can be,
For the ship that sailed with Phelim, my love,
Is sunk forever beneath the sea.

Ochone, ochone.
Ochone, ochone.

Barnyards of Delgaty

As I got down to Turra market, Turra market for to fee
I fell in with a wealthy farmer, the barnyards of Delgaty

A linten addie toorin addie, linten addie toorin ae
Linten lowrin lowrin lowrin, the barnyards of Delgaty

He promised me the ain best pair that e'er I set my eyes upon
But when I got to the barnyards, there was nothing there but skin and bone

A linten addie toorin addie, linten addie toorin ae
Linten lowrin lowrin lowrin, the barnyards of Delgaty

The old gray mare sat on her rump, The old black horse sat on his wime,
For a' that I could whup and crack, She would'na rise at milkin' time.

A linten addie toorin addie, linten addie toorin ae
Linten lowrin lowrin lowrin, the barnyards of Delgaty

As I go down to church on Sunday, many's the bonnie lass I see
Sitting by her mothers side, winkin' o'er the pews at me

A linten addie toorin addie, linten addie toorin ae
Linten lowrin lowrin lowrin, the barnyards of Delgaty

Now, I can drink and no be drunken, I can fight and no be slain
I can lay with another man's lass and still be welcome to me ain

A linten addie toorin addie, linten addie toorin ae
Linten lowrin lowrin lowrin, the barnyards of Delgaty

Ah, now my candle is burnt oot, me snotter's fairly on the wane
Fare ye well ye barnyards, you'll never see me here again

A linten addie toorin addie, linten addie toorin ae
Linten lowrin lowrin lowrin, the barnyards of Delgaty

Bonnie Lass of Fyvie-oh

There once was a troop of Irish dragoons
Come marching down through Fyvie-oh
And their captain fell in love with a very bonnie lass
And her name it was called pretty Peggy-oh

Oh, come down the stairs, pretty Peggy my dear
Oh, come down the stairs, pretty Peggy-oh
Oh, come down the stairs, comb back your yellow hair
Bid a long farewell to your Mammy-oh

I never did intend a soldier's lady for to be
And I never will marry a soldier-oh
I never did intend to go into a foreign land,
And I never will marry a soldier-oh

The colonel he cried mount boys, mount
The captain, he cried tarry-oh
Oh tarry for a while, for another day or twa
'Til I see if this bonnie lass will marry-oh

Long ere we came to the town of Auchterglass,
We had our captain to carry-oh
And long ere we reached the streets of Aberdeen,
We had our captain to bury-oh

Green grow the birks on bonnie Ethanside
And low lie the lowlands of Fyvie-oh
Well, our captain's name was Ned, and he died for a maid
He died for the chambermaid of Fyvie-oh

Brennan on the Moor

'Tis of a brave young highwayman
This story we will tell
His name was Willie Brennan
And in Ireland he did dwell
'Twas on the Kilwood Mountains
He commenced his wild career
And many a wealthy nobleman
Before him shook with fear

And it's Brennan on the moor,
Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted
Was young Brennan on the moor

One day upon the highway
As Willie he went down
He met the mayor of Cashiell
A mile outside of town
The mayor he knew his features
And he said, Young man, said he
Your name is Willie Brennan,
You must come along with me

And it's Brennan on the moor,
Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted
Was young Brennan on the moor

Now Brennan's wife had gone to town
Provisions for to buy
And when she saw her Willie
She commenced to weep and cry
Said, "Hand to me that tenpenny."
As soon as Willie spoke
She handed him a blunderbuss
From underneath her cloak

For young Brennan on the moor,
Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted
Was young Brennan on the moor

Now with this loaded blunderbuss
The truth I will unfold
He made the mayor to tremble
And he robbed him of his gold
One hundred pounds was offered
For his apprehension there
So he, with horse and saddle
To the mountains did repair

Did young Brennan on the moor,
Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted
Was young Brennan on the moor

Now Brennan being an outlaw
Upon the mountains high
With cavalry and infantry
To take him they did try
He laughed at them with scorn
Until at last 'twas said
By a false-hearted woman
He was cruelly betrayed

Was young Brennan on the moor,
Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted
Was young Brennan on the moor

Hey!

Castle of Dromore

The October winds lament around the castle of Dromore
Yet peace is in her lofty halls, my loving treasure store
Though autumn leaves may droop and die, a bud of spring are you

Sing hush-a-bye lú-ló-lú-ló-lán,
Sing hush-a-bye lú-ló-lú.

Bring no ill wind to hinder us, my helpless babe and me
Dread spirits of her black water, Clan Eoin's wild banshee
And Holy Mary pitying us in Heaven for grace doth sue

Sing hush-a-bye lú-ló-lú-ló-lán,
Sing hush-a-bye lú-ló-lú.

Take time to thrive, my ray of hope, in the garden of Dromore
Take heed, young eaglet, till thy wings are feathered fit to soar
A little rest and then the world is full of work to do

Sing hush-a-bye lú-ló-lú-ló-lán,
Sing hush-a-bye lú-ló-lú.
Sing hush-a-bye lú-ló-lú-ló-lán,
Sing hush-a-bye lú-ló-lú.

Eileen Aroon

I know a valley fair,Eileen Aroon
I know a cottage there, Eileen Aroon
Far in the valley shade I know a tender maid
Flow'r of the hazel glade, Eileen Aroon

Who in the dance so fleet, Eileen Aroon
Who in the song so sweet, Eileen Aroon
Dear are her charms to me, dearer her laughter free
Dearest her constancy, Eileen Aroon

Were she no longer true, Eileen Aroon
What would her lover do, Eileen Aroon
Fly with a broken chain, far o'er the sounding main
Never to love again, Eileen Aroon

Youth will in time decay, Eileen Aroon
Beauty must fade away, Eileen Aroon
Castles are sacked in war, chieftains are scattered far
Truth is a fixed star, Eileen Aroon

Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye

When goin' the road to sweet Athy, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
When goin' the road to sweet Athy, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
When goin' the road to sweet Athy,
A stick in my hand and drop in me eye,
A doleful damsel I heard cry:
"Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

"With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, the enemy nearly slew ye.
Arrah darlin' dear, ye look so queer;
Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

"Where are the eyes that looked so mild, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
Where are the eyes that looked so mild, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
Where are the eyes that looked so mild,
When my poor heart you first beguiled?
Why did ye skidaddle from me an' the child?
Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

"With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, the enemy nearly slew ye.
Arrah darlin' dear, ye look so queer;
Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

"Where are the legs with which you run, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
Where are the legs with which you run, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
Where are the legs with which you run,
When first you went to carry a gun?
Indeed, your dancing days are done.
Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

"With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, the enemy nearly slew ye.
Arrah darlin' dear, ye look so queer;
Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

"You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
You haven't an arm, you haven't a leg, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
You haven't an arm, and you haven't a leg,
Your an eyeless, boneless, chickenless egg.
You'll have to be put with a bowl to beg.
Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

"With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, the enemy nearly slew ye.
Arrah darlin' dear, ye look so queer;
Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

"I'm happy for to see you home, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
I'm happy for to see you home, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
I'm happy for to see you home,
All from the island of Ceylon,
So low of flesh, so white of bone.
Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

"With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, hoo-roo hoo-roo,
With your guns an' drums, an' drums an' guns, the enemy never slew ye.
Arrah darlin' dear, ye look so queer;
Johnny, I hardly knew ye."

Roddy McCorley

O see the fleet-foot host of men, who march with faces wan,
From farmstead and from fishers' cot, along the banks of Ban;
They come with vengeance in their eyes. Too late! Too late are they,
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

Up the narrow street he stepped, smiling, proud and young.
About the hemp-rope on his neck, the golden ringlets clung;
There's ne'er a tear in his blue eyes, both glad and bright are they,
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

When he last stepped up that street, his shining pike in hand
Behind him marched, in grim array, an stalwart earnest band.
For Antrim town! For Antrim town, he led them to the fray,
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

There's never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray
Than he who marches to his fate on the bridge of Toome today;
True to the last! True to the last, he treads the upward way,
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.

Stuttering Lovers

A wee bit over the lee me lads
A wee bit over the green
The birds went into the poor man's corn,
I fear they'll never be s-s-s-s-seen
I fear they'll never be seen.

Then out came a bonny wee lass
And she was one so fair,
And she went into the poor man's corn
To see if the birds were th-th-th-th-there my lads
to see if the birds were there.

Then out came a bonny wee lad
And he was a fisherman's son
And he went into the poor man's corn
To see where the birds had r-r-r-r-run, me lads
To see where the birds had run.

Well, he kissed her on the cheek me lad,
And kissed her on the chin
"Uh, don't be kissing me, my wee lad,
I fear it is a s-s-s-s-sin me lad,
I fear it is sin."

He kissed her once and he kissed her twice
He kissed her ten times o'er.
"It's nice to be kissing a bonny wee lass
who's never been kissed bef-f-f-f-fore, me lads,
who's never been kissed before."

Then up came the poor old man,
and he was tattered and torn,
"If that's the way of the mindin' me birds,
I'll do it meself in the m-m-m-m-morn," me lads
I'll do it meself in the morn!"

Tim Finnegan's Wake

Tim Finnegan lived on Watling Street
And a gentle Irishman, mighty odd;
He'd a beautiful brogue so rich and sweet
And to rise in the world he carried a hod.
You see he'd a sort o' the tipplin' way
With a love for the liquor poor Tim was born
To help him on with his work each day
He'd a drop of the craythur every morn.

Whack fol the die do, dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake;
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!

One morning Tim was rather full
His head felt heavy which made him shake;
He fell from the ladder and broke his skull
And they carried him home his corpse to wake.
They rolled him up in a nice clean sheet
And laid him out upon the bed,
With a gallon of whiskey at his feet
And a barrel of porter at his head.

Whack fol the die do, dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake;
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!

His friends assembled at the wake
And Mrs. Finnegan called for lunch,
First they brought in tea and cake
Then pipes, tobacco and whiskey punch.
Biddy O'Brien began to cry
"Such a nice clean corpse, did you ever see?
"Tim avourneen, why did you die?"
"Arragh, hold your gob" said Paddy McGee!

Whack fol the die do, dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake;
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!

Then Maggie O'Connor took up the job
"O Biddy," says she, "You're wrong, I'm sure"
Biddy gave her a belt in the gob
And left her sprawlin' on the floor.
And then the war did soon engage
Woman to woman and man to man,
Shillelagh law was all the rage
And the row and a ruction soon began.

Whack fol the die do, dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake;
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!

Then Mickey Maloney raised his head
When a noggin of whiskey flew at him,
It missed, and fallin' on the bed
The liquor scattered over Tim!
Tim revives! See how he raises!
Timothy rising from the bed,
Says, "Whirl your whiskey around like blazes
Thanum o'n Dhoul! Do you think I'm dead?"

Whack fol the die do, dance to your partner
Welt the floor, your trotters shake;
Wasn't it the truth I told you
Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!

Whiskey in the Jar

As I was going over the far famed Kerry Mountains
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I first produced me pistol and I then produced me rapier
Saying stand and deliver for you are a bould deceiver

Musha ring dumma do dumma da
Whack fol de daddy-o
Whack fol de daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I put it in me pocket and I took it home to Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
But the devil take the women for they never can be easy

Musha ring dumma do dumma da
Whack fol de daddy-o
Whack fol de daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

I went up to my chamber all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of golden jewels and for sure it was no wonder
But Jenny drew me charges and she filled them up with water
Then sent for captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter

Musha ring dumma do dumma da
Whack fol de daddy-o
Whack fol de daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

'Twas early in the morning just 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 me rapier
But I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken

Musha ring dumma do dumma da
Whack fol de daddy-o
Whack fol de daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

Now there's some take delight in the carriages rolling
And others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early

Musha ring dumma do dumma da
Whack fol de daddy-o
Whack fol de daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

If anyone can aid me it's my brother in the army
If I can find a station in Cork or in Killarney
And if he'll go with me we'll go roaming in Kilkenny
And I'm sure he'll treat me better than me only sporting Jenny

Musha ring dumma do dumma da
Whack fol de daddy-o
Whack fol de daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

Musha ring dumma do dumma da
Whack fol de daddy-o
Whack fol de daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

The Wind That Shakes The Barley

I sat within the valley green, I sat me with my true love
My sad heart strove the two between, the old love and the new love
The old for her, the new that made me think on Ireland dearly
While soft the wind blew down the glen and shook the golden barley

'Twas hard the woeful words to frame to break the ties that bound us
But harder still to bear the shame of foreign chains around us
And so I said, "The mountain glen I'll seek at morning early
And join the bold united men, while soft winds shake the barley"

While sad I kissed away her tears, my fond arms round her flinging
The foeman's shot burst on our ears from out the wildwood ringing
A bullet pierced my true love's side in life's young spring so early
And on my breast in blood she died while soft winds shook the barley

But blood for blood without remorse I've taken at Oulart Hollow
And laid my true love's clay cold corpse where I full soon may follow
As round her grave I wander drear, noon, night and morning early
With breaking heart when e'er I hear the wind that shakes the barley

Portláirge

The Parting Glass

Oh, all the money that e'er I spent
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that I ever did
Alas, it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now, I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Goodnight and joy be with you all

If I had money enough to spend
And leisure time to sit a while
There is a fair maid in this town
That sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
I own she has my heart enthralled
So fill to me the parting glass
Goodnight and joy be with you all

Oh, all the comrades that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They'd wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls onto my lot
That I should rise, and you should not
I'll gently rise and softly call
Goodnight and joy be with you all