Irish Rover

in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and six
we set sail from the fair over cork
we were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
for the grand city hall in new york
twas a wonderful craft she was rigged fore and aft
and oh how the wild winds drove her
she'd got several blasts she'd 27 masts
and we called her the irish rover

singer vocalises

I am a little beggar man a begging I have been
for 3 score or more in this isle of green
I'm known for the liffey down to segue
I'm known by the name of old johnny dhu
of all the trades going sure begging is the best
for when a man is tired he can sit down and rest
beg for his dinner he has nothing else to do
only cut around the corner with his old rigadoo

singer vocalises

says my aul wan to your aul wan
will ye come to the waxies dargle
says your aul wan to my aul wan
I haven't got a farthing
I went up to monto town
to see uncle mcardle
but he wouldn't give me half a crown
for to go to the waxies dargle

what will ya have
I'll have a pint
I'll have a pint with you sir
and if one of ya doesn't order soon
we'll be chucked out of the boozer

tell me ma when I get home
the boys won't leave the girls alone
they pull my hair they stole my combe
but that's alright till I go home
she is handsome she is pretty
she is the belle of Belfast city
she is a courting one two three
please won't you tell me who is she

fare thee well my lovely dinah
a thousand times adieu
for we're going away from the holy ground
and the girls we all love true
we will sail the salt seas over
and then return for shore
to see again the girls we love
and the holy ground once more
fine girl you are
you're the girl that I adore
but still I live in hope to see
the holy ground once more