Lyrics

March 30th, 2009


Song Index

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Dublin in the Rare Old Times

Raised on songs and stories, heroes of renown

The passing tales and glories, that once was Dublin town

The hallowed halls and houses, the haunting children’s rhymes

That once was Dublin city in the rare old times

Chorus:

Ring a-ring a-rosie, as the light declines

I remember Dublin city in the rare oul’ times

My name it is Sean Dempsey, as Dublin as can be

Born hard and late in Pimlico, in a house that ceased to be

By trade I was a cooper, lost out to redundancy

Like my house that fell to progress, my trade’s a memory

And I courted Peggy Dignan, as pretty as you please

A rogue and child of Mary, from the rebel Liberties

I lost her to a student chap, with skin as black as coal

When he took her off to Birmingham, she took away my soul

The years they made me bitter, tha gargle dims me brain

’cause Dublin keeps on changing, and nothing seems the same

The Pillar and the Met have gone, the Royal long since pulled down

As the gray unyielding concrete, makes a city of my town

Fare thee well sweet Anna Liffey, I can no longer stay

And watch the new glass cages, that spring up along the Quay

My mind’s too full of memories, too old to hear new chimes

I’m part of what was Dublin, in the rare old times

Chorus:

Ring a-ring a-rosie, as the light declines

I remember Dublin city in the rare oul’ times

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Fiddler’s Green

As I roved by the dockside one evening so fair

To view the salt waters and take in the salt air

I heard an old fisherman singing a song

Oh, take me away boys me time is not long

Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets

No more on the docks I’ll be seen

Just tell me old shipmates, I’m taking a trip mates

And I’ll see you someday on Fiddlers Green

Now Fiddler’s Green is a place I’ve heard tell

Where the fishermen go if they don’t go to hell

Where the weather is fair and the dolphins do play

And the cold coast of Greenland is far, far away

Now when you’re in dock and the long trip is through

There’s pubs and there’s clubs and there’s lassies there too

And the girls are all pretty and the beer is all free

And there’s bottles of rum growing on every tree.

Where the skies are all clear and there’s never a gail

And the fish jump on board with one swish on their tail

Where you lie at your leisure, there’s no work to do

And the skipper’s below making tea for the crew

Now I don’t want a harp nor a halo, not me

Just give me a breeze and a good rolling sea

I’ll play me old squeeze-box as we sail along

With the wind in the riggin to sing me a song

KEY D

verse:

C F G G
G F C G
F G C
C F C G7

chorus:

C G C
F G
F
C
C F G C

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Flower of Scotland

O Flower of Scotland,

When will we see

Your like again,

That fought and died for,

Your wee bit Hill and Glen,

And stood against him,

Proud Edward’s Army,

And sent him homeward,

To think again.

The Hills are bare now,

And Autumn leaves

lie thick and still,

O’er land that is lost now,

Which those so dearly held,

That stood against him,

Proud Edward’s Army,

And sent him homeward,

To think again.

Those days are past now,

And in the past

they must remain,

But we can still rise now,

And be the nation again,

That stood against him,

Proud Edward’s Army,

And sent him homeward,

To think again.

O Flower of Scotland,

When will we see

your like again,

That fought and died for,

Your wee bit Hill and Glen,

And stood against him,

Proud Edward’s Army,

And sent him homeward,

To think again.

KEY G

verse:

G G D G
C G D D

chorus:

D G C G
C G F G

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Gortnamona

Long long ago, in the woods of Gortnamona

I thought the birds were singing in the blackthorn tree

But oh! It was my heart that was ringing, ringing , ringing

With the joy that you were bringing, oh my love to me.

Long long ago, in the woods of Gortnamona
I thought the wind was sighing, in the blackthorn tree
But oh it was the banshee, crying, crying, crying

And I knew my love was lying far away from me.

Now if you go through the woods of Gortnamona

You hear the raindrops creeping through the Blackthorn tree

But oh! It is the tears, that I am weeping, weeping, weeping

For the loved one that is sleeping far away from me.

Long long ago, in the woods of Gortnamona

I thought the birds were singing in the Blackthorn tree

But oh! It was my heart, ringing, ringing, ringing

With the joy that you were bringing, oh my love to me.

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I Hear You Calling Me

I hear you calling me.

You called me when the moon had veiled her light,

Before I went from you into the night

I came, do you remember, back to you,

For one last kiss, beneath the kind star’s light.

I hear you calling me,

And oh the ringing gladness of your voice.

The words that made my longing heart rejoice,

You told, do you remember, all my heart,

Still hears the distant music of your voice.

I hear you calling me,

Though years have stretched their weary length between,

And on your grave the mossy grass is green,

I stand, do you remember listening here?

Hearing your voice through all the years between.

I hear you calling me.

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Kathleen Mavourneen

Kathleen Mavourneen! The grey dawn is breaking

The horn of the hunter is heard on the hill,

The lark from her light wing the bright dew is shaking

Kathleen Mavourneen - what, slumbering still!

O hast thou forgotten how soon we must sever?

O hast thou forgotten this day we must part?

It may be for years, and it may be forever;

Oh, why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?

It may be for years, and it may be forever;

Then why art thou silent, Kathleen Mavourneen?

Kathleen Mavourneen! Awake from thy slumbers

The blue mountains glow in the sun’s golden light,

Ah! Where is the spell that once hung on my numbers?

Arise in thy beauty, thou star of my night.

Mavourneen, mavourneen, my sad tears are falling

To thin that from Erin and thee I must part.

It may be for years, and it may be forever;

Oh, why art thou silent, thou voice of my heart?

It may be for years, and it may be forever;

Then why art thou silent, Kathleen Mavourneen?

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Macushla

Macushla! Macushla!

Your sweet voice is calling,

Calling me softly,

Again and again,

Macushla! Macushla!

I hear it’s dear pleading,

My blue-eyed Macushla,

I hear it in vain.

Macushla! Macushla!

Your white arms are reaching,

I feel them enfolding,

Caressing me still.

Fling them out from the darkness,

My lost love, Macushla!

Let them find me and bind me

Again, if they will.

Macushla! Macushla!

Your red lips are saying

That death is a dream,

And love is for aye,

Then awaken, Macushla,

Awake from your dreaming,

My flue eyed Macushla,

Awaken to stay.

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Mary From Dungloe (Key Bb/C)

(Intro –first two lines)

Oh then fare thee well, sweet Donegal,

The Rosses and Gweedore,

I’m crossin the main ocean

Where the foaming billows roar

It breaks my heart, from you to part,

Where I spent many happy days,

Farewell to kind relations,

I am bound for Amerikay.

0h then Mary you’re my heart’s delight,

My pride and only care,

It was your cruel father

Would not let me stay here.

But absence makes the heart grow fond,

And when I am over the main,

May the Lord protect my darling girl

‘Till I return again.

(Change Key—-Play Guitar)
C G F C
And I wish I was in sweet Dungloe,
F C
And seated on the grass,
C G F G
And by my side a bottle of wine,
F C
And on my knee a lass,
C G F G
I’d call for liquor of the best,
F C Am
And I’d pay before I would go,
C G F C
And I’d roll my Mary in my arms,
C F C

In the town of sweet Dungloe.

Arranged by Frank Lennon (flennon@indigo.ie)
www.socc.ie/~midiclass
www.socc.ie/~irishmidifiles

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Mother Machree

There’s a spot in my heart which no colleen may own.

There’s a depth in my soul never sounded or known.

There’s a place in my memory, my life that you fill.

No other can take it, no one ever will.

Chorus:

Sure, I love the dear silver that shines in your hair,

And the brow that’s all furrowed and wrinkled with care.

I kiss the dear fingers so toil worn for me.

On, God bless you and keep you, Mother Machree.

Every sorrow or care in the dear days gone by

Was made bright by the light of that smile in your eye.

Like a candle that’s set in the window at night

Your fond love has cheered me and guided me right.

Repeat Chorus.

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My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose

My love is like a red, red rose

That’s newly sprung in June

My love is like the melody

That’s sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in love am I

And I will love thee still, my dear,

Till all the seas gang dry.

Till all the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt with the sun

And I will love thee still, my dear,

While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee well, my only love,

And fare thee well a while!

And I will come again, my love,

Thou’ t’were ten thousand mile.

Chords: KEY Bb

verse:

chorus:

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My Mary of the Curling Hair

My Mary of the curling hair

The laughing cheeks and bashful air

A bridal morn is dawning fair

With blushes in the skies.

Chorus:

Sisul Siul Siul a run.

Siul co socair agus siul go ciuin.

My love my pearl my own sweet girl

My Mountain Maid arise.

For we were know from infancy,

Thy fathers hearth was home to me.

No selfish love was mine for thee,

Unholy and unwise.

Repeat Chorus:

But soon my love shall be my bride,

And happy by our own fireside,

My veins shall feel the rosy tide,

Which lingering hope denies.

Repeat Chorus:

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Remember Me

The last rose of autumn I see through your window

The pale pink is faded but its beauty still shows.

The afternoon sun bathes you softly in light

I stop for a moment to savor the sight.

You turn and you see me as I cross the room ?to you

You wonder if I’m someone you long ago knew.

I see in your eyes you really don’t know me

As I sit down beside you, a glimmer I see.

You ask if I’m Irish and I say sure, I am

“I know you!” you answer and reach for my hand

So I hold you quite tightly and we talk of those days

Of bright mornings in Bewleys and the Abbey for plays.

I remembered a day on the Sandycove strand

When just like today you were holding my hand.

But now the day’s gone, as so many just like it

Your life is a puzzle where the pieces don’t fit.

Your memory’s erasing but I will not speak

To say that as always, I will be here next week.

Because blood of my blood; oh my only one

For you are my mother and I am your son.

You ask if I’m Irish and I say sure, I am

“I know you!” you answer and reach for my hand

So I hold you quite tightly and we talk of those days

Of bright mornings in Bewleys and the Abbey for plays.

You ask if I’m Irish and I say that I am

“I know you!” you answer and reach for my hand

Because blood of my blood; oh my only one

For you are my mother and I am your son.

For you are my mother and I am your son.

Lyrics: Renny V. deGroot
Music: Laurie Johnston
Arranged: K. Kennerney/A. O’Sullivan
2008

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The Rose of Mooncoin

Oh how sweet ’tis to roam by the Suir’s lovely stream,

And to hear the birds coo ‘neath the morning sun beams.

Where the thrush and the robin their sweet notes entwine

On the Banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.

Chorus:

Flow on lovely river flow gently along

By your waters so sweet,

Sounds the lark’s merry song

On your green bank I’ll wander

Where first I did join

With you lovely Molly, the Rose of Mooncoin.

Oh! Molly, dear Molly, it breaks my fond heart

To know that we two, for ever must part

I’ll think of you, Molly, while sun and moon shine

On the Banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.

Repeat Chorus:

She has sailed far away oe’r the dark rolling foam

Far away from the hills of her dear Irish home

Where the fisherman sports with his small boat and line

On the Banks of the Suir that flows down by Mooncoin.

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Slieve Gallion Braes

As I went a’walking one morning in May

To view yon fair mountains and valleys so gay,

I was thinking on the flowers all a-going to decay

That bloom around yon, bonny, bonny Slieve Gallion Braes.

It’s oft I did ramble with my dog and my gun,

I roam through the glens for joy and for fun,

But those days are now all over, I can no longer stay,

So farewell unto you bonny, bonny, Slieve Gallen Braes.

How oft of an evening with the sun all in the west

I roved hand in hand with the one I love best

But the hopes of youth are vanished and now I’m far away

So farewell unto you bonny bonny Slieve Gallion Braes.

It’s not for the want of employment at home,

That caused the poor sons of old Erin to roam,

But the rent was getting higher, I could no longer stay,

So farewell unto you bonny, bonny, Slieve Gallion Braes.

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Silver Threads Among The Gold

Darling, I am growing old,

Silver threads among the gold

Shine upon my brow today,

Life is fading fast away.

But, my darling, you will be, will be,

Always young and fair to me,

Yes, my darling, you will be,

Always young and fair to me.

Love is always young and fair.

What to us is silver hair,

Faded cheeks or steps grown slow,

To the heart that beats below?

Since I kissed you, mine alone, alone,

You have never older grown;

Since I kissed you, mine alone,

You have never older grown.

Chorus:

Darling, I am growing old,

Silver threads among the gold,

Shine upon my brow today,

Life is fading fast away.

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Song For Ireland

Walking all the day, near tall towers

where falcons build their nests

Siver winged they fly,

they know the call of freedom in their breasts

Saw Black Head against the sky

with twisted rocks that run down to the sea

Living on your western shore,

saw summer sunsets, asked for more

I stood by your Atlantic sea

and sang a song for Ireland

Talking all the day with true friends

who try to make you stay

Telling jokes and news,

singing songs to pass the night away

Watched the Galway salmon run

like silver dancing darting in the sun

Living on your western shore

saw summer sunsets, asked for more

I stood by your Atlantic sea

and sang a song for Ireland

Drinking all the day in old pubs

where fiddlers love to play

Someone touched the bow,

he played a reel

it seemed so fine and gay

Stood on Dingle beach

and cast in wild foam we found Atlantic bass

Living on your western shore,

saw summer sunsets asked for more

I stood by your Atlantic sea

and sang a song for Ireland

Dreaming in the night I saw a land

where no man had to fight

Waking in your dawn

I saw you crying in the morning light

Lying where the falcons fly,

they twist and turn all in you e’er blue sky

Living on your western shore,

saw summer sunsets asked for more

I stood by your Atlantic sea

and sang a song for Ireland

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Where The River Shannon Flows

There’s a pretty spot in Ireland

I always claim for my land

Where the fairies and the blarney

Will never, never die

It’s the land of the shillalah

My heart goes back there daily

To the girl I left behind me

When we kissed and said goodbye.

Chorus:

Where dear old Shannon’s flowing

Where the three-leaved shamrock grows

Where my heart is I am going

To my little Irish rose

And the moment that I meet her

With a hug and kiss I’ll greet her

For there’s not a colleen sweeter

Where the River Shannon flows.

Sure no letter I’ll be mailing

For soon I will be sailing

And I’ll bless the ship that takes me

To my dear old Erin’s shore

There I’ll settle down forever

I’ll leave the old sod never

And I’ll whisper to my sweetheart

“Come and take my name Asthore.”

Repeat Chorus

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