Song Lyrics
HOME BOYS HOME
Ah, well who wouldn't be a sailor lad, a sailin' on the main
To gain the good will of his Captain's good name
He came ashore, one evening from the sea
And that was beginning of me own true love and me
Chorus:
And it's home boys, home
Home I'd like to be, home for awhile
In me own country, where the oak and the ash and the bonny rowan tree
Are all a growin' greener, in the North Country
I asked her for a candle for to light me way to bed
Likewise for a handkerchief to tie around me head
She tended to me needs, like a young maid ought to do
Then I says to her, why don't you jump in with me too
Chorus
She jump into bed and makin' no alarm,
Thinking a young sailor lad could do to her no harm
I hugged her; I kissed her, the whole night long
Till she wished the short night had been seven years long
Chorus
Early next morning the sailor lad arose
And into Mary's apron, threw a handful of gold
Sayin' "Take this, my dear. For the damage that I've done,
For tonight I fear I've left you with a daughter or a son."
Chorus
And if it be a girl child, send her out to nurse
With gold in her pocket and with silver in her purse
And if it be a boy child, he'll wear the jacket blue
And go climbing up the riggin', like his daddy used to do
Chorus
So come all of you fair maidens, a warning take be me
Never let a sailor lad an inch above your knee
I trusted one and he beguiled me
He left me with a pair of twins to dandle on me knee
Chorus
HOME FROM THE SEA
(Phil Coulter)
On a cold winter's night, with storm at its height, the lifeboat answered the call
They pitched and they tossed till we thought they were lost, as we watched from the harbor wall
Though the night was pitch black, there was no turning back, for someone was waiting out there
But each volunteer had to live with his fear as the joined in a silent prayer
Chorus:
Home, home, home from the sea
Angels of mercy, answer our plea
And carry us home, home, home from the sea
Carry us safely home from the sea
As they battle their way past the mouth of the bay, it was blowing like never before
As they gallantly fought everyone of them thought of loved ones back on the shore
Then a flicker of light and they knew they were right, there she was, on the crest of a wave
"She's an old fishing boat and she's barely afloat. Please God there are souls we can save".
Chorus
And back in the town, in a street that runs down to the sea and the harbor wall,
They gathered in pairs at the foot of the stairs to wait for the radio call
And just before dawn, when all hope was gone, came a hush and a far away sound
"Twas the coxswain—he roared—all survivors on board. Thank God and we're homeward bound"
Chorus
HOME IN DONNEGAL
I wish that I was home in Donegal
To be with you beside the sea
To hear your sweet voice calling me
Back to my home in Donegal
He walks upon the streets of New Orleans
There's a strange and unfamiliar look to every face he sees
He came in for the money, the adventure and the crack
Now all he ever thinks about is someday going back
I wish that I was home in Donegal
To be with you beside the sea
To hear your sweet voice calling me
Back to my home in Donegal
He misses all his family and friends
There's times when he'd give all he has just to be with them again
Before the young ones move away, the old ones are all gone
Before his heart can realize he's been away too long
Sometimes he lays there dreaming in the night
To get a job of extra work he'd save the money for the flight
But lonely dreams and darkness disappear before the dawn
Familiar faces fade away all the dreams are gone
I wish that I was home in Donegal
To be with you beside the sea
To hear your sweet voice calling me
Back to my home in Donegal
HONESTY IS OUT OF FASHION
(Matt McGinn)
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
The publican pays 11 pences a pint for beer from the brewery men
Then he pour me pint on the counter, charges me 2 and 10
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
While the publican is serving me he says "How you like my shop?"
He pour my pint, I look and see an inch of froth on top
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
The grocer sell some ham to me, he charge 10 shilling a pound
Then he put his thumb on the scale and press the damn thing down
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
To separate Dick Turpin from the shopkeepers is a task
I think the difference, Dick Turpin wore a mask
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
St. Dennis had his head cut off, he didn't fancy that
He took in his hands and walked two miles without his hat
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
Honesty is out of the fashion, out of fashion today
THE HOT ASPHALT
(Ewan McColl)
You can talk about the concrete, and the boys who work the train
The fellas in the hoppers, in the sun, and wind, and rain
The boys who lay the blacktop, you ought to see them belt
Workin' on the highway, laying hot asphalt
Chorus:
We laid it in the hollows, and we laid it in the flats
And if it doesn't last forever, I swear I'll ate me hat
I've traveled up and down the world, and sure I never felt
Any surface that was equal, to the hot asphalt
There were boys from Connemara, County Mayo, and Kildare
The Sligo pincher laddies, sure all Ireland was
We were working all around the clock, you should have seen them belt
We were racing up the highway, laying hot asphalt
Chorus
We spread in the summer, and we laid it nice hot
Two million yards or more of it, we had to roll the lot
The sun was burning down; until I thought me back would melt
Working on the Motor highway, laying hot asphalt
Chorus
When you're speeding in your motor car and tearing through the Shires
And the only thing you're hearing is the humming of your tires
You'll be riding nice and easy, with a road as smooth as felt
Then it's don't forget the boys, who lay the hot asphalt
Chorus
HOT ASPHALT
(Traditional)
Good evening all me jolly lads, I'm glad to find you well
If you gather all around, sure a story I will tell
For I've got a situation and begorrah and begob
I can whisper I've the weekly wage of nineteen bob
Its twelve months since October that I left me native home
After helpin' in Killarney to cut harvest down,
But, now I wear a gansey and around me waist a belt
I'm the gaffer of the squads that makes the hot asphalt.
Chorus:
We laid it in the hollows, and we laid it the flats
And if it doesn't last forever, I swear I'll ate me hat
I've traveled up and down the world, and sure I never felt
Any surface that was equal, to the hot asphalt
Well one day a copper comes to me and he says to me, "'McGuire,
Will you kindly let me light me pipe, down at your boiling' fire?"
Well he planks himself right down on there his hobnails up the heat
And sez I, Me decent man, you'd better go and mind your beat
He ups and sez, I'm down on you and up to all your pranks
Don't I know you for a traitor from the Tipperary ranks
Boys I struck right from the shoulder and I gave him such a belt
That he landed in the boiler full of hot asphalt.
Chorus
Well we quickly pulled him out again and we placed him in a tub,
And with soap and heated water we began to rub and scrub.
But the divil the thing it hardened, it turned as hard as stone,
And with every other rub, sure you could hear the copper groan.
I'm thinkin' sez O'Reilly that he's lookin' like old Nick
And burn me if I'm not inclined to cleave him with me pick
Now sez I it would be easier to boil him till he melts
And to stir him nice easy into the hot asphalt
Chorus
You can talk about your sailor lads, ballad singers and the rest
Your tailors and shoemakers, who please the ladies best,
The only ones who the way the flinty hearts to melt
Are the lads around the fire makin' the hot asphalt
With rubbin' and with scrubbin', he caught his death of cold,
And for scientific purposes his body has been sold.
In the Kelvingrove Museum now he's hanging by the belt,
As a monument to the Irish and the hot asphalt.
Chorus
THE HOUSE DOWN IN CARNE
(Tim 'Doc' Whelan)
Well me name is Nuke Power a terror am I;
I can cause such destruction on land, sea and sky
Your Minister tells you I'll do you no harm
If he locks me up in his house down in Carne
Chorus:
Toora loo Toora lay
I can cripple and main cause death and decay
He'll have me well guarded by night and by day
With soldiers on land and with sailors on see'
But no one can tame me I'll be restless I warn
If he tries to lock me in his house down 'in Carne
Chorus
Such a beautiful country I see all around
Where people and flowers and fishes abound
I'll change that whole scene in ten seconds I warn
If he tries to lock me in his house down in Carne
Chorus
I'll poison your children I'll strangle your dog
I'll kill every creature on land, sea and bog
I'll devastate Ireland from Kilarney to Larne
If he tries to lock me in his house down in Carne
Chorus
Now I have three comrades called wind, rain and sun
Very powerful are they and also they're great fun
Treat them with respect and they'll do you no harm
They'll work for you free every day down in Carne
Chorus
Now all you fine people I make a strong plea
Go tell your Minister to let me go free
If you don't try to use me I'll do you no harm
So don't let him let me in his house down in Carne
Chorus
This song was written by my wife's uncle, Jim "Doc" Whelan, when the Irish Government was intent on building Ireland's first nuclear power plant in Carne, near Carnsore Point in 1978. Check out the Carnsore Festival page. It's in "The Christy Moore Songbook", but the Lyrics are slightly different. Sadly, Doc died in October 1996. Here is a letter from Christy Moore to Jim, discussing the song and it's recital on the Late-Late', as well as details of the Antinuclear label.
Martin Jonas informs me that this song was published in a compilation album by Tara Records in 1986. The album is called "The Irish Folk Collection" and consists of releases of rare Tara singles. One of the tracks is called "Nuke Power" by "The Early Grave Band" and is clearly being sung by Christy. Other tracks on this album are Barry Moore: "People Will Die", both sides of Moving Hearts "Oil Sheiks/Promises" single (which does not feature Christy) and "State Music" (with Flo McSweeney, but not
listing Christy). Notes taken from the Christy Moore Website.
HOW'YA JULIA
(Moran/Carton)
How ya Julia, how ya Julia
How ya Julia, did ya hear about yer one
How ya Julia, how ya Julia
How ya Julia, did ya hear about yer one
Did you see yer one with Gay-bo, talkin' on the Late, Late Show
She was tellin' us about the things that happened long ago
How she loved the bishop and he loved her just as well
Only God knows will he go to Heaven or to Hell
He helped the starvin' millions and he got them food to eat
And the homeless Irish immigrants are livin' on the street
And when it came to singin' his repertoire was vast
He swore that he'd be celibate he slipped and broke his fast
Chorus:
Mighty, mighty, Lord almighty, off with the collar, off with the nighttime
Jesus, Mary and Holy Saint Joseph, the beads are rattlin' now
Mighty, mighty, Lord almighty, off with the collar, off with the nightie
Jesus, Mary and Holy Saint Joseph, the beads are rattlin' now
Now when he was up in Galway takin' in the church collection
His lover must be busy writing down her recollections
Like was the poodle black or white and did the moon come out
I'll have to read this thing meself and find this knacker out
Oh the blind and faithful followers are worried and distraught
And the only thing that's botherin' them is that the poor man he got caught
Chorus
Must be funny in the morning he'd be doin' the consecration
After nights of long and passionate, unbridled fornication
Sittin' in the chapel attendin' exposition
Dreaming Karma Sutra and his favorite position
How ya Julia, how ya Julia
How ya Julia, did ya hear about yer one
How ya Julia, how ya Julia
How ya Julia, did ya hear about yer one
Chorus
THE HUMOUR IS ON ME NOW
As I went out one morning it being the month of May
A farmer and his daughter I spied upon me way,
The girl sat down quite calmly to the milking of her cow
Saying I will and I must get married for the humour is on me now.
Ah be quiet you foolish daughter and hold your foolish tongue,
You're better free and single and happy while you're young,
But the daughter shook her shoulders as she milked her patient cow,
Saying I will and I must get married for the humour is on me now.
And who are you to tell me that and you married young yourself
And took me darling mother from off the single shelf,
Ah sure daughter dear go easy and milk your patient cow,
For a man may have his humour but the humour is off me now.
But indeed I'll tell me mother the awful things you say,
Indeed I'll tell me mother this very blessed day,
Now daughter have a heart dear or you'll cause a fearful row,
Well I will unless I'm married for the humour is on me now.
Oh well if you must get married will you tell me who's the man
And quickly she did answer there's William, James and John,
A carpenter, a tailor, and a man to milk the cow,
For I will and I must get married for the humour is on me now.
Well if you must be married will you tell me what you'll do?
Sure I will the daughter answered, sure the same as Ma and you,
I'll be mistress of me dairy, and me butter and me cow,
And your husband too, I'll venture, for the humour is on you now.
So at last the daughter married and married well-to-do,
She loved her darling husband for a month, a year or two;
But John was all a tyrant and she quickly rued her vow,
Saying I'm sorry that I'm married for the humour is off me now.
HUMPTY DUMPTY
(James Joyce)
Have you heard of one Humpty Dumpty
How he fell with a roll and a rumble
Curled up like Lord Oliver Crumble
At the butt of the magazine wall the magazine wall hump helmet and all
He was one time our king of the castle
Now he's kicked about like a rotten old parsnip
And be Green St. he'll sent be order of his Worship
To the penal jail of Mount Joy the jail of Mount Joy jail 'em with joy
He was fa-father of all things for to bother us
Slow coaches and immaculate contraceptives for the populous
Mares milk for the sick seven dry Sundays a week
Open air love and religious reform so hideous in form
And a white as couldn't he mange it
I'll go bail me fine dairy man darlin'
Like the bump and bull of the Cassidy's
All his butter's in his horns his butter's in his horns butter his horns
Sweet luck to the wave's worst to old Ireland
The hookel of the hammer vest Viking
And Gall's cursin' the day when Blana Bay saw his black and tan man o war
Saw his black and tan man o war on the harbour bar
He was joltin' by Wellington's monument
Our retorious hipp-a-ma-potamus
When some bugger let down the back strap of the omnibus
And he caught his death of fusiliers with his rent in his rear's give him six years
Oh we'll have a free trade Gael's band and mass meetin'
For to sod that son of Scand-a-knavery
And we'll bury down in Ox men town
Along with the divil and Danes the deaf and dumb Danes and all their remains
Now all the king's men not his horse's
Could ever resurrect his corpses
For there's no true spell in Connuaght or hell
That's ever to raise a Cain