Song Lyrics
THE ROAD TO GUNDAGAI
Oh we started out from Roto, when the sheds had all cut out
We'd whips and whips of money as we meant to push about;
So we humped our blueys serenely and made for Sydney town,
With a three-spot check between us as wanted knocking down.
Chorus:
And we camped at Lazy Harry's on the road to Gundagai,
The road to Gundagai, five miles from Boonabri;
And we camped at Lazy Harry's on the road to Gundagai.
Well, we struck the Murumbidgee near the Yanco in a week,
And passed through old Narrandera, and crossed the Burnett Creek;
And we never stopped at Wagga, for we'd Sydney in our eye,
And we camped at Lazy Harry's on the road to Gundagai.
Well, I've seen a lot of girls, my lads, and drunk a lot of beer,
And I've met with some of both as has left me pretty queer.
But for beer to knock you sideways and for girls to make you cry,
You should camp at Lazy Harry's on the road to Gundagai.
Well, we chucked our flamin' wags off and we walked into the bar
And we called for rum and raspberry and a shilling each cigar;
But the girl that served the poison, she winked at Bill and I,
So we camped at Lazy Harry's on the road to Gundagai.
In a week the spree was over, and our check was all knocked down,
So we shouldered our Matildas and we turned our backs on town.
And the girls stood us a nobblers as we sadly said goodbye,
And we tramped from Lazy Harry's on the road to Gundagai.
Last Chorus:
Yes we tramped from Lazy Harry's on the road to Gundagai,
The road to Gundagai, five miles from Boonabri;
And we tramped from Lazy Harry's on the road to Gundagai.
ROAD TO THE ISLES
(Collected & translated by Kennedy-Fraser and MacLeod)
A far croonin' is pullin' me away
As take I wi' my cromack to the road.
The far Coolins are puttin' love on me
As step I wi' the sunlight for my load.
Chorus:
Sure by Tummel and Loch Rannoch and Lochaber I will go
By heather tracks wi' heaven in their wiles.
If it's thinkin' in your inner heart the braggart's in my step,
You've never smelled the tangle o' the Isles.
Oh the far Coolins are puttin' love on me
As step I wi' my cromack to the Isles.
It's by Shiel water the track is to the west
By Aillort* and by Morar to the sea,
The cool cresses I am thinkin' of for pluck
And bracken for a wink on Mother knee.
Chorus
The blue islands are pullin' me away
Their laughter puts the leap upon the lame;
The blue islands from the Skerries to the Lewis**
Wi' heather honey taste upon each name.
Aillort - pronounced Isle-ort
Lewis - pronounced Lews
THE ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN
In the merry month of May from my home I started,
Left the girls of Tuam, nearly broken hearted
Saluted father dear, kissed me darlin' mother,
Drink a pint of beer me grief and tears to smother
Then off to reap the corn, and leave where I was born,
Cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins
In a brand new pair of brogues I rattled o'er the bogs
And frighten all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin
Chorus:
One, two, three, four, five hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, whack fol al de rah
In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next morning light and airy,
Took a drop o' the pure, to keep me heart from sinkin'
That's the Paddy's cure whenever he's on for drinkin'
To see the lassies smile, laughin' all while
At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a-bubblin'
They asked if I was hired, the wages I required
Till I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city
Then I took a stroll, all among the quality
Me bundle it was stolen in a neat locality
Something crossed me mind, then I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin'
Enquirin' after the rogue, the said me Connaught brogue
Wasn't much in vogue, on the rocky road to Dublin
From there I got a way, me spirits never failin'
Landed on the quay just as the ship was sailin'
Captain at me roared, said that no room had he
When I jumped aboard, a captain found for Paddy
Down among the pigs, I skipped some funny rigs
I played some hearty jigs, the water round me bubblin'
When off Holyhead, I wished meself was dead
Or better far instead, on the rocky road to Dublin
The boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed
Call myself a fool; I could no longer stand it
Blood began to boil, temper I was losin'
Poor ould Erin's isle the began abusin'
"Hurrah me soul," says I, my shillelagh I let fly
Galway boys were by, saw I was a hobblin'
With a loud a hurray, they joined in the affray
We quickly cleared the way on the rocky road to Dublin
RODDY McCORLEY
See the fleet foot host of men that speed with faces wan,
From farmstead and from fisher's cot along the banks of Bann,
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 steps smiling, proud and young
About the hemp rope on his neck the golden ringlets clung
There was never a tear in his blue eye, both sad and bright are they,
For 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 a 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 was never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray
Than he who marches to his fate on the bridge on 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
ROLL OF HONOUR
Read the roll of honour for Ireland's bravest men
We must be united in memory of the ten,
England you're a monster, don't think that you have won
We will never be defeated while Ireland has such sons.
In those weary H-Block cages ten brave young Irishmen lay
Hungering for justice as their young lives ebbed away,
For their rights as Irish soldiers and to free their native land
They stood beside their leader the gallant Bobby Sands.
Now they mourn Hughes in Bellaghy, Ray McCreesh in Armagh's hill
In those narrow streets of Derry they miss O'Hara still,
They so proudly gave their young lives to break Britannia's hold
Their names will be remembered as history unfolds.
So read the roll of honour for Ireland's bravest men
We must be united in memory of the ten,
England you're a monster, don't think that you have won
We will never be defeated while Ireland has such sons.
Through the war torn streets of Ulster the black flags did sadly sway
To salute ten Irish martyrs the bravest of the brave,
Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Docherty
They gave their lives for freedom with Thomas McElwee.
Michael Devin from Derry you were the last to die
With your nine brave companions with the martyred dead you lie
Your souls cry out remember, our deaths are not in vain
Fight on and make our homeland a nation once again.
So read the roll of honour for Ireland's bravest men
We must be united in memory of the ten,
England you're a monster, don't think that you have won
We will never be defeated while Ireland has such sons
ROLLING HILLS OF THE BORDER
(Matt McGinn)
Chorus:
When I die, bury me low
Where I can here the bonny Tweed flow
A sweeter place I never will know
Than the rolling hills of the Borders
I traveled far and wandered wide
I've seen the Hudson and the Clyde
I wandered by Loch Lomond side
But I dearly love the Borders
Chorus:
When I die, bury me low
Where I can here the bonny Tweed flow
A sweeter place I never will know
Than the rolling hills of the Borders
Oft do I remember the day
When wi' my love I strolled by the Tay
But all its beauty fades away
Among the hills of the Borders
Chorus:
When I die, bury me low
Where I can here the bonny Tweed flow
A sweeter place I never will know
Than the rolling hills of the Borders
There's a certain peace of mind
Bonny lassies there you will find
Men so strong and men so kind
Among the hills of the Borders
Chorus:
When I die, bury me low
Where I can here the bonny Tweed flow
A sweeter place I never will know
Than the rolling hills of the Borders
The rolling hills of the Borders
RORY MURPHY
(Trad)
Chorus:
Saw ye Rory Murphy, Rory Murphy, Rory Murphy
Saw ye Rory Murphy, piper o' Dumbarton
Now Rory was a piper guid
As ever came o' Hieland blood
And lowland buddies' hearts aye glowed
To the tunes of Rory Murphy
He filled the warriors' breasts wi' fire
He pleased the heart o' sage and sire
Made the listening groups admire
As he gae'd through Dumbarton
His beard was made o' lammer gloss
His sparkling eye as black's a sloe's
His cheeks were fresher than the rose
And the nose as red's a partan
When Rory drank an extra gill
He made his chanter sound so shrill
You'd hear him on Ben Lomond hill
As clear as in Dumbarton
But whisky proved to him a fey
While stottering hame mair drunk each day
Fell tapsalteerie doon the brae
That left him deid for certain
Nae mair he'll blow his Highland drones
Nae mair we'll hear his witching tones
His banes lie cauld beneath the stones
In the kirkyard o' Dumbarton
THE ROSE OF ALLENDALE
The morn was fair, the sky was clear, no breath came o'er the sea
When Mary left her Heiland cot and wandered forth with me
Though flowers decked the mountain side and fragrance filled the vale
By far the sweetest flower there was the Rose of Allendale
Chorus:
Twas the Rose of Allendale, twas the Rose of Allendale
By far the sweetest flower there was the Rose of Allendale
Where e'er I wandered east or west, though fate began to lo'er
A solace still was she to me in sorrow's lonely hour
When tempest lashed our gallant barge and rent her shivering sail
One maiden form withstood the storm, the Rose of Allendale
Chorus:
Twas the Rose of Allendale, twas the Rose of Allendale
By far the sweetest flower there was the Rose of Allendale
And when my fevered lips were parched on Africa's burning sand
She whispered hopes of happiness and tales of distant lands
My life had been a wilderness, unblessed by fortune's gale
Had fate not linked my love to hers, the Rose of Allendale
Chorus:
Twas the Rose of Allendale, twas the Rose of Allendale
By far the sweetest flower there was the Rose of Allendale
Twas the Rose of Allendale, twas the Rose of Allendale
By far the sweetest flower there was the Rose of Allendale
ROSES OF PRINCE CHARLIE
(Ronnie Browne)
Chorus:
Come now; gather now, here where the flowers grow
White is the blossom as the snow on the bend
Here now, freedom's call, we'll make a solemn vow
Now by the Roses of Prince Charlie
Fight again at Bannockburn your battle-axe to wield
Fight by your grand sire on Floddin's bloody field
Fight at Calouden the bonnie prince to shield
Fight by the Roses of Prince Charlie
Chorus:
Come now; gather now, here where the flowers grow
White is the blossom as the snow on the bend
Here now, freedom's call, we'll make a solemn vow
Now by the Roses of Prince Charlie
Spirits of the banished in far and distant lands
Carved out the new world with sweat, blood and hands
Return now in glory and on the silver sand
Fight by the Roses of Prince Charlie
Chorus:
Come now; gather now, here where the flowers grow
White is the blossom as the snow on the bend
Here now, freedom's call, we'll make a solemn vow
Now by the Roses of Prince Charlie
Take your strength from the green fields, blanket, peat and cove
Ships from the Clyde have a Nation in their hold
The water of life some men need to make them bold
Black gold and fishes from the sea man
Chorus:
Come now; gather now, here where the flowers grow
White is the blossom as the snow on the bend
Here now, freedom's call, we'll make a solemn vow
Now by the Roses of Prince Charlie
Repeat Chorus
ROSIN THE BOW
I've traveled this world all over and now to another I go
And I know that good quarters are waiting for to welcome old Rosin the Bow
To Welcome old Rosin the Bow me lad to welcome old Rosin the Bow
And I know that good quarters are waiting for to welcome old Rosin the Bow
When I'm dead and laid out on the counter a voice you will hear from below
Saying send down a hogs head of whiskey to drink with old Rosin the Bow
To drink with old Rosin the Bow me lad to drink with old Rosin the Bow
Saying send down a hogs head of whiskey to drink with old Rosin the Bow
An get a half dozen stout fellows and stack them up all in a row
Let them drink out of half gallon bottles to the memory of Rosin the Bow
To the memory of Rosin the Bow me lad to the memory of Rosin the Bow
Let them drink out of half gallon bottles to the memory of Rosin the Bow
Get this half dozen stout fellows and let them all stagger and go
And dig a great hole in the meadow and in it put Rosin the Bow
And in it put Rosin the Bow me lad and in it put Rosin the Bow
And dig a great hold in the meadow and in it put Rosin the Bow
Get ye a couple of bottles put one at me head and me toe
With a diamond ring scratch upon them the name of old Rosin the Bow
The name of old Rosin the Bow me lad the name of old Rosin the Bow
With a diamond ring scratch upon them the name of old Rosin the Bow
I feel that old Tyrant approaching that cruel remorseless old foe
And I lift up me glass in his honor take a drink with old Rosin the Bow
Take a drink with old Rosin the Bow me lad take a drink with old Rosin the Bow
And I lift up my glass in his honor take a drink with old Rosin the Bow
ROTHSAY-O
One Hogmany at Glesca' Fair, There was me, my'sel' and' sev'ral mair
And we all went off tae hae a tear, and spend the night in Rothsay-o
We wandered thru the Broomielaw Thru frost and rain and hail and snaw
And at forty minutes after twa we'd got the length of Rothsay-o
Chorus:
Diddum a doo a dum a day, diddum a doo a dy dum do
Diddum a doo a dum a day, the night we went tae Rothsay-o.
A soldier lad named Ru'glen Will, wha' regiment's lyin' at Barn Hill
He went off wi' a tanner to get a gill in a public hoose in Rothsay-o
Says he: "I think I'd like to sing." Says I "y'll no do sic a thing!"ldquo;
So clear the room and I'll make a ring and I'll fecht y'all in Rothsay-o!"
Chorus:
Diddum a doo a dum a day, diddum a doo a dy dum do
Diddum a doo a dum a day, the night we went tae Rothsay-o.
In search of lodgin's we did slide to find a place where we could bide
There was eighty-twa of us inside in a single room in Rothsay-o!
We all lay doon t'take our ease, when somebody happened for to sneeze
And he wakened half a million fleas in a lodgin' hoose in Rothsay-o!
Chorus:
Diddum a doo a dum a day, diddum a doo a dy dum do
Diddum a doo a dum a day, the night we went tae Rothsay-o.
There were several different kinds of bugs, some had feet like dyer's clogs
And they sat on the bed and they cockit their lugs and cried:
"Hurrah! for Rothsay-o!" Says I: "I think it's time to slope!" for the polis wouldn'a let us stop,
So we went and joined the Band O'Hope and said farewell tae Rothsay-o!
Chorus:
Diddum a doo a dum a day, diddum a doo a dy dum do
Diddum a doo a dum a day, the night we went tae Rothsay-o.
THE ROVIN' JOURNEYMAN
I am a rovin' journeyman I roam from town to town
And whenever I get a job of work I'm willing to sit doon
My kit's all on my shoulder and my graftin' tool in hand
And around the country I will go a rovin' journeyman
Whenever I come tae Glasgow toon the lassies jump for joy
Say one unto the other "Well here comes a rovin' boy"
Some treat me to a bottle and the others to a dram
And the toast goes round the table "Health unto the journeyman"
Chorus:
Wi' yer linten addie, toorin' addie linten addie
Tooral linten addie tooral linten addie aye
Pots and pans and helping hands will see you thru the day
Gie a penny to the journeyman tae help him on his way
I hadnae been in Glasgow toon a week but barely three
Before the provost's daughter went and fell in love wi' me
She asked me for to dine wi' her and took me by the hand
And she proudly told her mother that she loved the journeyman
Ach! away ye go ye sill maid, I'll hear ye speak no more
How can ye love a journeyman ye've never seen before?
Mother sweet i do entreat I love him all I can
And around the country I will go tae see my journeyman
Chorus
Ye'll need nae mair tae trudge on foot ye'll hae a horse and pair
My wealth with thee and poverty contented I will share
So overflow the flowing bowl and drain it if ye can
Toast the provost's daughter and the roving journeyman
I am a rovin' journeyman I roam from town to town
And whenever I get a job of work I'm willing to sit doon
My kit's all on my shoulder and my graftin' tool in hand
And around the country I will go a rovin' journeyman
Chorus
RUBBER BULLETS
Chorus:
Rubber bullets for the ladies, catch them in a CS can
Three inches wide, six inches long, take 'em home to you oul man
It's an instrument of torture to break your leg in two
It'll stop you feeling lonely, but leaves you black and blue
When you've had your fill of CS gas behind the barricade
And served your time with half bricks, you've learned a brand new trade
Fighting for your freedom, the dignity of man
Look out for rubber bullets, the Army's latest plan
Chorus
If your family's going hungry, curfew needn't break your heart
The Army's solved your problem; you can bake a rubber tart
When you're under house arrest and your nerves are getting frayed
The prescription rubber bullets fired underneath the bed
Chorus
Don't forget the highway code when crossing of the street
A bullet doing ninety could leave obsolete
Watch when stepping off the curb, I'm being quite sincere
A bullet in a proper place could leave you feeling queer
Chorus
When a soldier says he loves you behind the barricade
Look out for rubber bullets and grab his red cockade
The bullet's meant to stun you, be careful how you bend
If it breaks a leg or two the Army will commend
Chorus