Song Lyrics
CHILDREN OF HATE
Come and sit my little son upon you daddy's knee
You're almost ten and you're growing up in a land so wide and free
You asked me just this afternoon about the land we left far behind
And why we left old Ireland why it's always, on my mind
Well over here a little boy can grow to be a man
Without the ignorance and the fear that thrives through out our land
Where little boys just the age of you are taught for to kill and to maim
Oh God help them what will they become in a land that's gone insane
Instead of playing at the ball they gather in the night
For to play with toys of more deadly fun petrol bombs and gelignite
And if men must vent their hatred why must they teach their sons
To be just like them and be insane our nation's race is run
Jesus said let all them little children come to him
But the devils got them jumping and I fear he's bound to win
For everyone there of course is right and it seems it's just too late
For to save the future you have to save them children born of hate
CHOLESTEROL
(Adam McNaughtan)
I've been taking advice on the right things to eat since shortly before I was born
From the National dried milk and the cod liver oil to powdered rhinoceros horn
In these days they tell us to lay off the starches the sugar, potatoes and bread
Now they've done a U-turn, tell us bread and potatoes will give us the fiber we need
So I've made up my mind that the menu's designed by the experts just only for me
No trained dietitian or general practitioner dictates what I'll have for my tea
Brown bread with the low fat please thinly spread on May be healthier than a meat pie
But who wants to grow old eating St. Ivel Gold I'd would rather taste butter and die
Chorus:
Cholesterol, Cholesterol—My chance of surviving is small
But I'll not get a dose of Anorexia Nervosa Cause I love my cholesterol
Now the thing that has brought this affair to a head is a good-hearted Hatfield campaign
I just said 'What's that?' and the doc had his needle Sucking blood out of my handiest vein
Two weeks later they measured my height and my weight and took my blood pressure & all
The computer said 'Mate, to survive at your weight you would need to be seven feet tall'
But I'm not going to take the suggestions they're make about changing the food that I eat
Cutting out cheese and no chips if you please No chocolate, no ice cream, no meat
Oh they tell you to give up these goodies below and they promise you pie in the sky
Well semi - skimmed milk might diminish my bulk but I'll take double cream till I die
Chorus:
Cholesterol, Cholesterol—My chance of surviving is small
The cream I consume that could lead to my doom But I love my cholesterol
Now it's all right for you that smoke 40 a day or spend every night in a bar
You can tell the health visitor you'll cut it down She'll say 'What a fine fellow you are'
But when I tell her I'd never smoked in my life and I was teetotal to boot
She said 'Go away there is nothing to do you've no vices that you can cut out
Now I don't mind them probing in my hemoglobin If it's just for a case history
But it puts the health visitor into a tizzy it's her duty to try and save me
She says 'Fresh fruit and yogurt's a lovely dessert Why don't you give it a try
But I don't give a hoot for a yogurt and fruit I'll have Black Forest gateaux and die
Chorus:
Cholesterol, Cholesterol—My chance of surviving is small
The way that I dine 'me is cause for angina But I love my cholesterol
CHRISTMAS IN TRENCHES
Oh my name is Francis Toliver I come from Liverpool,
Two years ago the war waiting for me after school
To Belgium, and to Flanders, to Germany to here,
I fought for King and country I love dear
'Twas Christmas in the trenches where the frost so bitter hung.
The frozen fields of France were still no songs of peace were sung
Our families back in England were toasting us that day,
Their brave and glorious lads so far away
I was lying with my mess mates on the cold and rocky ground
When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound
Now listen up me lads says I each soldier strained to hear
As one young German voice sang out so clear
He's singing bloody well you know my comrade said to me
Soon one by one each German voice was joined in harmony
The canons they were silent and the gas clouds rolled no more
As Christmas brought respite from bloody war
As soon as they had finished and a reverent pause was spent
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" struck up some lads from Kent
The next they sang was "Stilly Noct" 'tis "Silent Night" says I
And in two tongues one song filled up the sky
There's someone coming towards us now our front line sentry cried
All sights were fixed on one lone figure trudging from their side
His truce flag like a Christmas star shone on that plane so bright
As he bravely strolled marched into the night
Then one by one from either side walked into "No Man's Land"
With neither gun nor bayonet they met there hand to hand
We shared some Christmas brandy and we wished each other well
And in a flare lit soccer game we gave them hell
We shared some chocolates, cigarettes and photographs from homes
These sons and fathers far away from families of their own
Young Saunders played the squeeze-box and they had a violin
This curious and unlikely band of men
Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more
With sad farewells we each began to settle back to war
But the question haunted every heart who lived that wondrous night
Whose family have I fixed within my sights
It was Christmas in the trenches and the frost so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were still as songs of peace were sung
And the walls they built between us to exact the work of war
Had been tumbled and were gone for ever more
My name is Francis Toliver in Liverpool I dwell
Each Christmas comes since World War I I've learned its lesson well
That the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and maimed
And on each end of the rifle we're the same
CITY OF CHICAGO
(Barry Moore)
Chorus:
In the city of Chicago
As the evening shadows fall
There all people dreaming
Of the hills of Donegal
Eighteen forty-seven was the year it all began
Deadly pains of hunger drove the millions from the land
They journeyed not for glory their motive wasn't greed
A voyage of survival across the lonely sea
Chorus:
In the city of Chicago
As the evening shadows fall
There all people dreaming
Of the hills of Donegal
Some of them knew fortune some of them knew fame
More of them knew hardship and died upon the plain
They spread throughout the nation they rode the railroad cars
Brought their songs and music to ease their lonely hearts
Chorus:
In the city of Chicago
As the evening shadows fall
There all people dreaming
Of the hills of Donegal
CLANCY LOWERED THE BOOM
Now Clancy was a peaceful man, if you know what I mean.
The cops picked up the pieces after Clancy left the scene.
He never looked for trouble that's a fact you can assume.
But never the less, when trouble would press Clancy lowered the boom!
Chorus:
Oh, that Clancy! Oh, that Clancy!
Whenever they got his Irish up,
Clancy lowered the boom!
O'Leary was a fighting man; they all knew he was tough.
He strutted round the neighborhood, a shootin' off his guff.
He picked a fight with Clancy; then and there he sealed his doom.
Before you could shout "O'Leary, look out!"
Clancy lowered the boom!
Chorus
Clancy left the barbershop with tonic on his, hair,
He walked into the poolroom and he met O'Reilly there.
O'Reilly said, "For goodness sake, now do I smell perfume?"
Before you could stack your cue in the rack,
Clancy lowered the boom!
Chorus
Mulrooney walked into the bar and ordered up a round.
He left his drink to telephone, and Clancy drank it down.
Mulrooney said "Who drunk me, drink? I'll lay him in his tomb!"
Before you could pat the top of your hat,
Clancy lowered the boom!
Chorus
The neighbors all turned out for Kate O'Grady's wedding night.
McDougal said, "Let's have some fun, I think I'll start a fight!"
He wrecked the hall, then kissed the bride and pulverized the groom.
Then quick as a wink, before you could think,
Clancy lowered the boom!
Chorus
CLARE TO HERE
(Ralph McTell)
Oh there's four that share the room
And we work hard for the for the crack
And getting up late on Sunday I never get to mass
Chorus:
It's a long, long way from Clare here
It's a long, long way from Clare here
Oh it's a long, long way it gets further day by day
It's a long, long way from Clare here
When Friday night comes around, he's only into fighting
My ma would like a letter home, but I'm too tired for writing
Chorus
And the only time I feel all right is when I'm into drinking
It eases off the pain a bit and levels out my thinking
Chorus
Well it almost breaks my heart when I think of Josephine
I promised I'd be coming back with pockets full of green
Chorus
I dream I hear a piper play maybe it's a notion
I dream I see white horses dance upon that other ocean
Chorus
CLONAKILTY BLACKPUDDING
(Jimmy Crowley)
Way down in Clonakilty in the year of 89
The locomotive Banba came chugging down the line
On board sat Philip Harrington bound for culinary fame
This place looks good to make me pud; I think I'll call the same…
Chorus:
Clonakilty Blackpudding! Ses me daza, full of pep!
To put the lead back in your pencil and the spring back in your step
Heaven knows what herbs and spices are inside the saucy skin
But it brings a smile to Erin's Isle Agus fágfaimid mar sin.
The man who made the motorcars from Ballinascarthy way
Young Henry Ford who tempered gold from cold black steel, they say
Said the painter in the foundry - which color, Henry, pray?
Tis equal, Jack, once you make it black like that tasty tack!, said he.
Chorus
And when the hills of Carbery with ricochets did ring
And the Black and Tans and Auxies stalked the column in the glen
Up spoke our own Big Fellow saying - here's rations for ye, men!
A half O' tierce of Wrastler, you can guess what's in the fin!
Chorus
Salute, ye sons of rebel Cork, the warriors of yore
Who donned the blood and bandage in fame forever more
Blithe Christy Ring, brave Thady Quill, those hurling heroes bold
What do you think sustained 'em, boys, and fortified their souls?
FINAL Chorus:
Clonakilty Blackpudding! 'Tis me daza full of pep!
To put the lead back in your pencil and the spring back in your step
No one knows what Edward Twomey puts inside his saucy skin
But it brings a smile to Erin's Isle Agus fágfaimid mar sin.
Notes: Ballad makers were traditionally commissioned to sing and compose the praises of their patron's wares. Throughout the Middle Irish period, the Fili sustained themselves by eulogizing the Irish aristocracy. So, things haven't changed that much and I'm glad that my patron, Mr. Edward Twomey, has a good sense of the tradition.
THE COAL QUAY MARKET
As I went up to the Coal Quay for to by an old chemise
The first thing I picked up in my hand I found it full of fleas
"How much do you want for that?" says I, "Eighteen pence," says she
"Eighteen pence for that old thing, do you think I am a fool?"
Kitty pilolip, pilolip ili Kitty pilolip pilie do
Kitty pilolip, pilolip ili Whith me wack fol ardle ido
So I brought it home and I washed and I hung it out to dry
"How much did you give for that old thing?" "Eighteen pence," says I,
"Eighteen pence for that old thing, do you think I am a fool?"
Take it out of the house ye dirty old thing, or I'll wallop ye with the stool."
Kitty pilolip, pilolip ili Kitty pilolip pilie do
Kitty pilolip, pilolip ili Whith me wack fol ardle ido
I brought it back to the woman and said, "M'am would you be so kind,"
"To take back the old chemise that hangs so long behind."
The woman gave she a look at me and her lips began to squeeze
And all around the Coal Quay, sure, she walloped me with the chemise
Kitty pilolip, pilolip ili Kitty pilolip pilie do
Kitty pilolip, pilolip ili Whith me wack fol ardle ido
So come all you pretty females, if you want buy new clothes
Never buy an old chemise that'll hang down to your toes
Never let your man interfere with your starch of blue
And if you want to by a chemise, be sure you'll buy one new
Kitty pilolip, pilolip ili Kitty pilolip pilie do
Kitty pilolip, pilolip ili Whith me wack fol ardle ido
THE COBBLER
Oh me name is Dick Darby, I'm a cobbler, I served me time at old camp
Some call me an old agitator, but now I 'm resolved to repent
Chorus:
With me ing-twing of an ing-thing of an I-doe
With me ing-twing of an ing-thing of an I-day
With me roo-boo-boo roo-boo-boo randy
And me lab stoned keeps beatin' away
Now me father was hung for sheep stealing, me mother was burned for a witch
Me sister's a dandy housekeeper and I'm a mechanical switch
Chorus
Its forty long years I have traveled, all by the contents of me pack
Me hammers, me awls and me pinchers, I carry them all on me back
Chorus
Oh me wife she is humpy, she's lumpy, me wife she's the divil she's black
And no matter what I may do with her, her tongue it goes clickety clack
Chorus
It was early one fine summer's morning, a little before it was day
I dipped her three times in the river and carelessly bade her, 'Good day.'
Chorus
COD LIVER OIL
(Traditional)
I'm a young married man and I'm tired of me life
For lately I married a nailing young wife
She does nothing all day only sits down and sigh
Sayin: "I wish to the lord that I only could die"
Chorus:
Oh doctor, dear doctor, oh doctor d'Jean
Your cod liver oil is so pure and so strong
I'm afraid of me life, I'll go down in the soil
If me wife don't stop drinkin' your cod liver oil
Till a friend of me own came to see me one day
And he told me wife was just pining away
But he afterwards told me that she would get strong
If I'd buy her a bottle from doctor d'Jean
Chorus
So I bought her a bottle it was just for to try
And the way that she stuffed it, you'd swear she was dry
I bought her another, it went just the same
Till I own she's got cod liver oil on the brain
Chorus
My house it resembles a big doctors shop
With bottles and bottles from bottom to top
And when in the morning the kettle's a boil
You'd swear it was singin' out: Cod Liver Oil
Chorus
COD LIVER OIL AND THE ORANGE JUICE
(Ron Clark & Karl McDougall)
Oot o' the East there came a hard man
Oh oh, a' the way frae Brigton
Ah haw, glory hallelujah
Cod liver oil and the orange juice
He went intae a pub, cam oot paralytic
Oh oh, Lanliq and cider
Ah haw, what a helluva mixture
In the dancin' he met Hairy Mary
Oh oh, the floo'er o' the Gorbals
Ah haw, glory hallelujah
Oh Mary, are ye dancin'
Naw, naw, it's jist the way ah'm stannin'
Ah haw, glory hallelujah
Oh Mary, yer wan in a million
Oh oh, so's yer chances
Ah haw, glory hallelujah
Oh Mary, can ah run ye hame
Oh oh, ah got a pair o' sandshoes
Ah haw, yer helluva funny
Through the back close, intae the donny
It wasnae for the first time
Ah haw, glory hallelujah
Oot cam her mammy, she's goin' tae the cludgie
Oh oh, ah buggered off sharpish
Ah haw, glory hallelujah
Hairy Mary's looking for her hard man
Oh oh, he's jined the Foreign Legion
Ah haw, Sahara and a camel
Hairy Mary had a little baby
Oh oh, its faither's in the army
Ah haw, glory hallelujah
COME DANCE TO PADDY'S REELS
(Will Millar & George Millar)
I've played the tunes around the world and now I'm home again
I've dance heathen maidens and with drunken hairy men
Through far and distant countries I have rosined up my bow
And the doors were always open when old Paddy let her go
Chorus:
Come dance to Paddy's reels and share a bottle with a friend
It won't be long till we're too old for whiskey in the glen
So while the fiddle string is new and the pipers reed's in tune
We can dress her out into the yard and dance around the room
Somewhere in the deepest heart of every mother's son
I taught you what was Ireland through the soul begins to run
When the jigs and reels begin to flow they seem to weave a spell
They're as old as time and laughter and what stories they can tell
Chorus
Come out and dance to Paddy's reels for we might not meet again
But while we've soles beneath our boots we'll dance from now till then
And heaven might just take us for St. Peter's bound to feel
That the angel choir can use a night of Paddy's jigs and reels
Chorus
Chorus