Song Lyrics
THE SONG OF DIGGERS
(Leon Rosselson)
In Sixteen forty-nine, in St. Georges Hill, a ragged band they called the diggers
Came to show the peoples will,
They defied the landlords, they defied the law
They were the dispossessed, reclaiming what was theirs
The sin of property, we do disdain,
No man has the right to buy and sell the earth for private gain
By theft or murder, they took they land,
Now everywhere the walls spring up at their command
Chorus:
"We come in peace," they said, "to dig and sow."
"We come to work the land together and to make the wastelands grow."
This earth divided, we will make whole
So it can be a common treasury for all
They make the laws to chain us well
The clergy dazzle us with heaven, then they damn us into hell
We will not worship, the God they serve
A life of greed that feeds the rich while people starve
We work, we eat together, we need no swords
We will not bow to the masters; play no rent to the lords
We are free men, though we are poor
You diggers all stand up for glory, stand up now
Chorus
From the men of property, the orders came
They brought the hired men and troopers to wipe out the diggers claim
Tear down their cottages, destroy their corn
They were dispersed only their legend lingers on
You poor take courage, you rich take care
This earth was made a common treasury for every man to share
All things in common, all people one
We can in peace the orders came to cut them down
Chorus
Chorus
SONG OF THE IRON ROAD
(Ewan MacColl)
The Iron road's a hard road and the work is never ending
Working night and day on the iron way
We're the boys who keep the engines rolling
You sigh on at the loco shed, they put you to the cleaning
In your dungarees, cleaning super dees
You're a sweeper-upper, brewer-upper, shovel slinger, spanner bringer
Steam raiser, fire dropper, general cook and bottle washer
Learning how to keep ’em rolling
When you've done your time at the loco shed and had your share of trouble
On the old footplate, you're the driver's mate
And you're married to a lousy shovel
It's check the water, check the tools and chuck the blooming coal in
Give the gauge a wipe, check injector pipe, now it's
Swing your shovel at the double, give her rock watch the clock
Steam rising, sweat running, back aching, bone shaking
Fireman, fireman, keep her rolling
When you've shoveled a million tons of coal some ten or twelve years later
And your only dream is of raising steam
Then they hand to you your drivers papers
The iron road is a hard road and the work is never ending
Working night and day on the iron way, we're the
Loco drivers, early riser, lodging turners, mile burners
Eleven quid a week earners
We're the boys that keep ’em rolling
©Stormking Music, Inc.
SONNY'S DREAM
(Ron Hynes)
Sonny don't go away, I'm here all alone
Your daddy's a sailor, never comes home
Nights are so long, silence goes on
I'm feeling so tried and not all that strong
Sonny lives on a farm in a wide open space
Take off your shoes son, stay out of the race
Lay down your head by the soft river bed
Sonny always remembers the words his mammy said
Sonny works on the land, though he's barely a man
There's not much to do, he just does what he can
He sits at the window in a room by the stairs
He watches the waves gently wash on the pier
Many years have passed on, Sonny's old and alone
His daddy the sailor never came home
Sometimes he wonders what his life might have been
But from the grave mammy still haunts his dreams
Sonny don't go away, I'm here all alone
Your daddy's a sailor, never comes home
Nights are so long, silence goes on
I'm feeling so tried and not all that strong
Sonny don't go away
THE SONS OF MOLLY
(Chuck Rogers)
When the wind blows wild at night past the breaker melancholy
If you stand in the dark with your ears to the wind you can hear the sons of Molly.
Deep in the dark of the old mine shaft you can smell the smoke and the fire
And the whisper low from the mine below is the ghost of Molly Maguire.
I'll tell ya boys Mickey Doyle is my name and I come from Carbon County
And I shot the boss of the Lansford mine now my soul is up for bounty
But I will die with my head held high for I fought for the men below
Those men who slave and sweat and die down in a black hell hole.
So I'll tell ya boys Edward Kelly is my name and I'm hanging in the morning
For I shot Jack Jones for skinning my bones now I curse the sound of mourning
And I will die with my head held high for I fought for the men below
Those men who slave and sweat and die down in a black hell hole
So I'll tell ya boys Alex Campbell is my name and no pistol did I fire
But I will fall from the gallows wall just for being a Molly Maguire
And I will die with my held high for I fought for the men below
Those men who slave and sweat and die down in a black hell hole.
SOUND THE PIBROCH
Sound the pibroch loud and high frae John o' Groats tae the Isle o' Skye
Let ev'ry clan their slogan cry rise and follow Charlie
Chorus:
Hatcheen foam, foam, foam; hatcheen foam, foam, foam
Hatcheen foam, foam, foam, rise and follow Charlie
See the small-devoted band by dark Loch Shiel have ta'an their stand
And proudly vow with heart and hand to fight for Royal Charlie
Chorus
From every hill and every glen are gathering fast the loyal men
They grasp their dirks and shout again, hurrah for Royal Charlie
Chorus
On dark Culloden's fled of gore hark they shout Claymore, Claymore
They bravely fight what can they more than die for Royal Charlie
Chorus
How on the barren heath they lie their Funeral Dirge the eagle's cry
And mountain breezes o'er them sigh wha' fought and died for Charlie
Chorus
No more we'll see such deeds again deserted is each highland glen
And ye lonely cairns are o'er the men wha' fought and died for Charlie
Chorus
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
In South Australia I was born
Heave away, Haul away
South Australia round Cape Horn
We're bound for South Australia
Chorus:
Haul away you rovin' king
Heave away, Haul away
Haul away you'll hear me sing
We're bound for South Australia
As I walked out one morning fair
Heave away, Haul away
'Twas there I met Miss Nancy Blair
We're bound for South Australia
Chorus
I shook her up I shook her down
Heave away, Haul away
I shook her round and round the town
We're bound for South Australia
Chorus
There ain't but one thing grieves my mind
Heave away, Haul away
To leave Miss Nancy Blair behind
We're bound for South Australia
Chorus
And as we wallop round Cape Horn
Heave away, Haul away
You'll wish to God you'd never been born
We're bound for South Australia
Chorus
In South Australia I was born
Heave away, Haul away
South Australia round Cape Horn
We're bound for South Australia
Chorus
SPANCIL HILL
Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by
Me mind being bent on rambling to Ireland I did fly
I stepped on board a vision and followed with a will
Till next I came to anchor at the cross at Spancil Hill
Delighted by the novelty enchanted by the scene
When in my early boyhood oft times I have been
I thought I heard a murmur and I think I hear it still
It's the little stream of water that flows down Spancil Hill
To amuse a passing fancy I lay down on the ground
Where all my school companions they shortly gathered round
When we were home returning we danced with bright goodwill
To Martin Moylan's music at the cross at Spancil Hill
In being on the 23rd of June the day before the fair
When Ireland's sons and daughters and friends assembled there
The young the old the brave and the bold came their duty to fulfill
At the parish church in Clooney a mile from Spancil Hill
I went to see my neighbours to see what they might say
The old ones were all dead and gone the young ones turning grey
I met the tailor Quigley he's as bold as ever still
Sure he used to mend my britches when I lived in Spancil Hill
I paid a flying visit to my first and only love
She's as white as any lily as gentle as a dove
She threw her arms around me saying Johnny I love you still
She's the Nell the farmer's daughter and the pride of Spancil Hill
Oh I dreamt I held and kissed her as in the days of yore
Sez Johnny you're only joking as manys the time before
The cock she crew in the morning she crew both loud and shrill
I awoke in California many miles from Spancil Hill
SPANCIL HILL [2]
(Michael Considine)
Last night as I lay dreaming of the pleasant days gone by
My mind being bent on rambling and to Erin's Isle I did fly
I stepped on board a vision and sailed out with a will
'till I gladly came to anchor at the Cross of Spancil Hill
Enchanted by the novelty delighted with the scenes
Where in my early childhood I often times have been
I thought I heard a murmur I think I hear it still
'Tis that little stream of water at the Cross of Spancil Hill
And to amuse my fancy I lay upon the ground
Where all my school companions in crowds assembled 'round
Some have grown to manhood while more their graves did fill
Oh I thought we were all young again at the Cross of Spancil Hill
It being on a Sabbath morning I thought I heard a bell
O'er hills and valleys sounded in notes that seemed to tell
That Father Dan was coming his duty to fulfill
At the parish church of Clooney just one mile from Spancil Hill
And when our duty did commence we all knelt down in prayer
In hopes for to be ready to climb the Golden Stair
And when back home returning we danced with right good will
To Martin Moylan's music at the Cross of Spancil Hill
It being on the twenty third of June the day before the fair
Sure Erin's sons and daughters they all assembled there
The young the old the stout and the bold they came to sport and kill
What a curious combination at the Fair of Spancil Hill
I went into my old home as every stone can tell
The old boreen was just the same and the apple tree over the well
I miss my sister Ellen my brothers Pat and Bill
Sure I only met strange faces at my home in Spancil Hill
I called to see my neighbors to hear what they might say
The old were getting feeble and the young ones turning grey
I met with tailor Quigley he's as brave as ever still
Sure he always made my breeches when I lived in Spancil Hill
I paid a flying visit to my first and only love
She's as pure as any lily and as gentle as a dove
She threw her arms around me saying Mike I love you still
She is Mack the Rangers daughter the Pride of Spancil Hill
I thought I stooped to kiss her as I did in days of yore
Says she Mike you're only joking as you often were before
The cock crew on the roost again he crew both loud and shrill
And I awoke in California far from Spancil Hill
But when my vision faded the tears came in my eyes
In hope to see that dear old spot some day before I die
May the Joyous King of Angels His Choicest Blessings spill
On that Glorious spot of Nature the Cross of Spancil Hill
SPANISH LADIES
Farewell and adieu to you, Spanish ladies,
Farewell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain;
For we have received orders to sail to old England,
But we hope in a short time to see you again.
Chorus:
We'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors,
We'll rant and we'll roar across the salt seas;
Until we strike soundings in the Channel of old England:
From Ushant to Sicily 'tis thirty-five leagues.
Then we hove our ship to, with the wind at sou'-west, my boys,
Then we hove our ship to, for to strike soundings clear;
Then we filled the main topsail and bore right away, my boys,
And straight up the Channel of old England did steer.
So the first land we made it is called the Deadman,
Next Ram Head off Plymouth, Start, Portland and the Wight;
We sailed by Beachy, by Fairly and Dungeness,
And then bore away for the South Foreland light.
Now the signal it was made for the Grand Fleet to anchor,
All on the Downs that night for to meet;
Then stand by your stoppers, see clear your shank-painters,
Haul all your clew garnets, stick out tacks and sheets.
Now let every man take off his full bumper,
Let every man take off his full bowl;
For we will be jolly and drown melancholy,
With a health to each jovial and true-hearted soul.
THE SPANISH LADY
As I went out through Dublin City at the hour of twelve in the night
Who should I see but the Spanish lady washing feet by the candle light
First she washed them, then she dried them, over a fire of amber coals
In all my life I ne'er did see a maid so sweet about the soul
Chorus:
Whack for the too-ra-loo-ra laddie
Whack for the too-ra-loo-ra-la
As I came back through Dublin City at the hour of half past eight
Bumped into the Spanish lady, cause her bus was running late
She said Coolock, I said James Gate, why don't we go for a bite to eat
Followed by a Geezer with a big gray beard, I hope he wasn't one of your mates
Chorus:
Whack for the too-ra-loo-ra laddie
Whack for the too-ra-loo-ra-la
As I went round old Dublin City when the sun began to set
Who should I meet but the Spanish lady catching a moth in a golden net
When she spied me, quick she fled me lifting her petticoats over her knee
In all my life I ne'er did see a maid so sweet as the Spanish Lady
Chorus:
Whack for the too-ra-loo-ra laddie
Whack for the too-ra-loo-ra-la
I've wandered North and I've wandered South,
Through Stoneybatter and Patrick's Close
Up and around by the Gloucester Diamond
And round by Napper Tandy's house
Old age has laid her hand upon me, cold as a fire of ashy coals
In all my life I ne'er did see a maid so sweet about the soul
Chorus:
Whack for the too-ra-loo-ra laddie
Whack for the too-ra-loo-ra-la
THE SPANISH LADY SONG
(Martin Denning)
When I hear the Spanish Lady Song it takes me back to some years ago
When summer strolled the streets ago and Stephen's Green was all a glow
She loved to listen to our singing to the strummin' of my old guitar
Every chance she'd get she'd be there sittin' in the corner of the music bar
Chorus:
She had jet black hair her eyes were shining
The sweetest smile that ever you'd see
You'd walk a manys through Dublin City
To see one as fair as the Spanish Lady
Through sun blessed streets we'd walk together holding hands
And laughing on our way
Hoping summertime would last together clinging tightly to each lovely day
We'd feed the ducks out in the park like children on a Sunday spree
I'd take her home just after dark her good night kiss so sweet to me
Chorus
The heat began to leave the sun the autumn winds they soon did blow
The day I dreaded soon did come when back to Spain she'd have to go
And we she let my heart went with her all those miles across the sea
Even memories so sweet and bitter to walk the streets alone with me
Chorus
We wrote as sister would to brother till winter went away once more
Then ages past before another letter come in through my door
She lost her heart to a childhood friend and married they were soon to be
She said she'd love me to attend and an invitation sent to me
Chorus
CODA:
Whack for the too ra loo ra laddy
Whack for the too ra loo ra lay