THE BANDON CAR
(Kevin Beale)
Come all you lads and lassies and listen to my sad tale
And I'll tell to you what happened to me one night down in Kinsale
It being the summer season I found myself a job
Singing ballads in a bar to make a couple of bob
I'd been doing a bit of a stint, me boys down in the Folk House bar
Little did I know in town that night was the Bandon car
Chorus:
Oh, they're baggin' 'em in Berehaven, Kilbrittain and Kinsale
The Fivemile and Belgooly, the story's much the same
No matter where you come from, no matter where you are
If you're a man that likes his porter, beware of the Bandon Car!
And when the gig was over and me gear all packed away
Says I, I'll have one for the road, then leave without delay
But alas! That was the one I fear that caused me my downfall
But how was I to know me fate? Sure I didn't have a clue at all
When I had donned me cap and coat and drank down my last jar
The barman's final comment was, "Watch out for the Bandon Car.”
Chorus
I was just about to leave for home when much to my dismay
A Garda car with flashing lights came up and barred me way
Says he, have you drink taken? Says I, a small amount
Says he, would that be five or six? Says I, I never count
He made me blow into the bag, saying, tonight you've gone too far!
And to the station I was taken in the back of the Bandon Car
Chorus
Now the doctor he was sent for, looking tired and distressed
Through bleary eyes he asked me, would I mind a urine test
Says I, I like things private when I answer nature's call
But that request was soon shot down I had to bare it all
Oh! what a terrible indignation to take a thing so far
And I wished that they could go to hell, along with th' oul' Bandon Car
Chorus
Now I've been law-abidin' since the day that I was born
But this terrible legislation! I view it now with scorn
There's trickies and there's hooflers who breaks laws every day
But they can't be caught easily and they get clean away
I've tried every means I know to avoid the social scar
But there is no way you'll get fair play from the boys in the Bandon Car
THE BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Oh you Western Ocean labourers, I would have you all beware,
That when you're aboard of a packet-ship, no dungaree jumpers wear,
But have a big monkey jacket always at your command,
And think of the cold Nor'westers on the Banks of the Newfoundland.
Chorus:
So we'll rub her round and scrub her round with holystone and sand,
And say farewell to the Virgin Rocks on the Banks of the Newfoundland.
As I lay in my bunk one night a-dreaming all alone,
I dreamt I was in Liverpool, way up in Marylebone,
With my true love beside of me, and a jug of ale in hand,
When I woke quite brokenhearted on the Banks of Newfoundland.
Chorus
We had one Lynch from Ballinahinch, Jimmy Murphy and Mike Moore;
It was in the winter of sixty-two, those sea-boys suffered sore,
For they'd pawned their clothes in Liverpool, and sold them out of hand,
Not thinking of the cold Nor'westers on the Banks of Newfoundland.
Chorus
We had one female passenger, bridget Riley was her name,
To her I promised marriage and on me she had a claim.
She tore up her flannel petticoats to make mittens for our hands,
For she couldn't see the sea-boys freeze on the Banks of Newfoundland.
Chorus
And now we're off Sandy Hook, my boys, and the land's all covered with snow.
The tug-boat will take our hawser and for New York we will tow;
And when we arrive at the Black Ball dock, the boys and girls there will stand,
We'll bid adieu to the packet-ships and the Banks of Newfoundland.
Chorus
THE BANKS OF THE ROSES
Chorus:
On the Banks of the Roses me love and I sat down
And I took out me fiddle for to play me love a tune
In the middle of the tune, oh she sighed and she said
O-ro Johnny lovely Johnny don't ya leave me
When I was a young man I heard me father say
That he'd rather see me dead and buried in the clay
Sooner than be married to any runaway
By the lovely sweet banks of the roses
Chorus
And then I am no runaway and soon I'll let them know
That I can take the bottle or can leave it alone
If her daddy doesn't like it he can keep his daughter at home
And you Johnny will go rovin' with another
Chorus
And when I get married twill be in the month of May
When the leaves they are green and the meadows they are gay
And me and me true love we'll sit an and sport and play
By the lovely sweet banks of the roses
Chorus
BANNOCKBURN
(Gordon Menzies)
Edward of England northwards did ride
Will yon Scotsman fight was the question that he cried
Will yon Scotsman fight, aye in darkness or daylight
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus:
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Will yon Scotsman fight, aye in darkness or daylight
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
A hundred thousand Sassenachs had rallied to their King
And Edward King of Scots was the boast that he did sing
No English King of Scots no our freedom's nearly bought
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus
The brave and mighty Bruce to his countrymen did turn
He said stand fast and true when you reach the Bannockburn
Stand fast and true for this land belongs to you
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus
Now long-bows of England at forty-thousand force
Deadly and grim fell upon the Scottish gorse
Deadly and grim fell still we sang our battle hymn
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus
The Bannockburn is won the Sassenachs are fled
Nothing now remains but the dying and the dead
Nothing now remains but a Scottish Monarch reigns
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus
THE BANTRY GIRLS LAMENT
Oh who will plough the fields now and who will sell the corn
And who will watch the sheep now and keep them neatly shorn
And the stack that's in the haggard un-threshed it will remain
Since Johnny went a roving all in the wars of Spain
And the girls from the Bawnage in sorrow may retire
And the piper and his bellows go home and blow his fire
For Johnny, lovely Johnny he's sailing o'er the main
He's along with other patriots to fight the King of Spain
And the boys will surely miss him when Moneymore comes round
And they grieve that their brave Captain is nowhere to be found
And the peelers must stand idle against their will and grain
For the gallant boy who gave 'em work now peels the King of Spain
And at wake or hurling matches your likes we'll seldom see
Till you come home again to us astroirin gheal mo chroi
And won't you trouble the buckeens who show us great disdain
Because our are not as bright as those you'll meet in Spain
And if cruel fate does not permit our Johnny to return
His heavy loss, we Bantry girls will never cease to mourn
We'll resign ourselves to our sad loss and die in grief and pain
Since Johnny died for freedom's sake in the foreign land of Spain
THE BARLEY MOW
Oh, here's good luck to the pint pot, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the pint pot, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the pint pot, half a pint, gill, half a gill, quarter gill, nipper kin and a round bowl
Here's good luck, good luck, good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, here's good luck to the half gallon, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the half gallon, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the half gallon, pint pot, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the gallon, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the gallon, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the gallon, half gallon, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the half barrel, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the half barrel, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the half barrel, gallon, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the barrel, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the barrel, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the barrel, half barrel, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the daughter, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the daughter, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the daughter, barrel, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the landlord, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the landlord, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the landlord, daughter, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the brewer, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the brewer, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the brewer, landlord, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the company, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the company, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the company, brewer, etc…
THE BARNYARDS O' DELGATY
As I cam in tae Turra market, Turra market for tae fee
It's I fell in wi' a wealthy fairmer, The barnyards o' Delgaty
Chorus:
Lin-ten addie too rin addie, lin-ten addie toorin ae
Lin-ten low rin, low rin, low rin, the barnyards o' Delgaty
He promised me the ae best pair, that was in a' the kintra roon
Fan I gae hame tae the Barnyards, There was naething there but skin and bone
Chorus
The auld black horse sat on his rump, The auld white mare lay on her wime
For a' that I would hup and crack, They wouldna rise at yokin' time
Chorus
Fan I gang tae the kirk on Sunday, Mony's the bonny lass I see
Sittin' by her faither's side, An' winkin' ower the pews at me
Chorus
Oh, I can drink and no be drunken, An' I can fecht an' no be slain
An' I can lie wi' anither man lass, An' aye be welcome tae my ain
Chorus
My caun'le noo it is burnt oot, It's lo we is fairly on the wane
Sae fare ye weel ye Barnyards, Ye'll never me here again
Chorus
THE BARRAS
(Jim McLean)
There's a spot in Glasgow City that's well ken't the whole world o'er
It's mare famous than the Mona Lisa's face
It is visited by royalty and rouges frae every airt
Everybody kens the barras is the place
Did you ken St. Peter lost the keys to yon big pearly gates
And he thought that he'd get flung oot o' his job
But a clever angel telt him, ach St. Peter dinnae greet
You can buy one at the barras for a bob
Chorus:
Oh the barras, oh the barras, there's no in Rome or Paris
You'll have tae go tae Glasgow's Gallowgate
They sell tickets tae the moon, and a return for half-a-crown
And five bob guarantees a first class seat
You've heard how Samson lost his strength, Delilah cut his hair
He was left as weak and baldy as a wean
So he traveled o'er to Scotland, to the barras for a cure
And he soon was strong and hairy once again
One day a Frenchman noticed that the Eiffel Tower was gone
And the president when notified grew pale
So he called oot all his soldiers and they hunted high and low
Till they found it at the barras up for sale
When the Romans came tae Scotland, many donkeys years ago
They got nae further than the Gallowgate
For the lads who ran the Barras swapped them souvenirs for swords
Then the fly wee Glasgow keelies had them bate (beat)
In a school nae far frae Partick Cross the teacher asked the class
Tell me what do you know about the missing link
Then a wee lad in the front row shot his hand up in the air
You will find one at the Barras, sir, I think
When oor Prince Charlie had tae flee away frae Scotia's shores
Seek refuge far across the friendly main
For the tears ran streaming frae his eyes, hushed words he did speak
Ach, I love to see the Barras once again
So before I close my story let me give you some advice
If you're after something cheap or second-hand
Take a trip up to the barras for there's none that can compare
Tae the things they sell in Glasgow's barrowland
THE BATTLE OF OTTERBOURNE
It fell aboot the Lama's tide when Muir men won the day
The dowty Earl o' Douglas rade in tae England tae catch him a prey
He has chosen the Lindsy's licht with them the Gordon's gade
The Earl o' Fife with vowed and strife and Sir Hugh Montgomery
First they took Northumberland and there to Bambershire
Then on tae dale they burnt it hale and set it all on fire
Then he marched up tae New Castle he raid it roond aboot
Who was the Laird of this castle and was the Lady oot
Up then spake Laird Percy fair and oh but he spake high
I am the Laird o' this castle my wife's the lady gay
If thou art the Laird o' this castle sae weel it pleases me
For ere I cross the border fairs en o' us shall dee
I shall stay at Otterbourne while ye shall welcome me
Yet come ye not in three days time first lord then I'll call ye
Oh I will come proud Percy said by the licht o' loonley dee
I'll wait ye there Lord Douglas said my pledge I give tae thee
He belted en his good braed saird in tae the field he ran
But he forgot the helmet good that should he kept his brains
When Percy wa' the Douglas met I what he was frew frame
He swacked their sairds aye sair they swad till blood ran doon like rain
Percy wa' his good braed saird and good tae sharply wound
Has cut the Douglas on the brood till they fell upon the groond
The wound was deep he' fain would sleep right by the bracken tree
He's laid him doon all wounded sair beside the lily reeds
The moon was clear the day drew near 'the spears and flinders flew
And monys the gallant English man that day the Scotsman slew
The Gordon's gird in English blood they steeped their hose and shoen
The Lindsay's flew like fire aboot until the day was done
Then Percy and Montgomery met with all the fog a'tween
They swapped blaws and aye the swad till the blood ran doon between
We shall not yield tae lord or loon nor shall ye yield tae me
But yield ye tae yon Brackenbush beside the lily reed
I'll not yield tae Brackenbush nor will I tae a fire
But I would yield tae Earl Douglas or tae Hugh Montgomery
When he found out it was Montgomery he stuck his sword in the ground
Said Hugh he was a courteous nicht and took him by the hand
For he had dreamed a dreary dream a fore that fateful day
He saw a deed man win the field a deed man doon he lay
And battle was done at Otterbourne at the breakin' o' the day
Lord Douglas was buried at the Brackenbush and Percy does not away
BEEN ON THE ROAD SO LONG
(Alex Campbell)
I've been on the road, so long
Been tired and broke, so long
I've been to the south where the winds they were warm
Travelling the road of no return, so long
And I've seen what was war, so long
The ruins and scars, so long
The mansions of mud, the wounds and the blood
Seen the dying of all that was good, so long
This world's in a shroud, so long
A mushrooming cloud, so long
The lies and the greed of the leaders of men
Those cheats who would take us to war again
Yet hope lives in me, so long
For it's love that I see, so long
The courage and strength of the young man's smile
The faith that's in a little child, so long
Yes I've travelled this road, so long
Been tired and broke, so long
I've been to the south where the winds they were warm
Travelling the road of no return, so long
THE BELFAST STRIKE
(Colm Gallagher)
While driving through the streets of Belfast with everybody on strike
All me petrol was gone and I knew it wasn't long
Before I'd be using my bike brave boys
Before I'd be using my bike
I drove up to the petrol pump and there to my surprise
Was an English army soldier boy
Pumping petrol before my eyes brave boys
Pumping petrol before my eyes
I said fill her up with premium son check the oil check the water too
Put some air in me tires if any is required
And then you can shine my shoes brave boys
And then you can shine my shoes
I called for the English army man to fix my toilet bowl
Now the soldier came and I pulled on the chain
And I flushed him down the hole brave boys
And I flushed him down the hole
Yes the plumber he is an army man the butcher and the baker too
I went to confession and glory be to god
There was a soldier in there too brave boys
There was a soldier in there too
Now the English say they want to assist so here is your chance at last
You can shine my shoes you can sweep my street
You can kiss my Irish arse brave boys
You can kiss my Irish arse
(Kevin Beale)
Come all you lads and lassies and listen to my sad tale
And I'll tell to you what happened to me one night down in Kinsale
It being the summer season I found myself a job
Singing ballads in a bar to make a couple of bob
I'd been doing a bit of a stint, me boys down in the Folk House bar
Little did I know in town that night was the Bandon car
Chorus:
Oh, they're baggin' 'em in Berehaven, Kilbrittain and Kinsale
The Fivemile and Belgooly, the story's much the same
No matter where you come from, no matter where you are
If you're a man that likes his porter, beware of the Bandon Car!
And when the gig was over and me gear all packed away
Says I, I'll have one for the road, then leave without delay
But alas! That was the one I fear that caused me my downfall
But how was I to know me fate? Sure I didn't have a clue at all
When I had donned me cap and coat and drank down my last jar
The barman's final comment was, "Watch out for the Bandon Car.”
Chorus
I was just about to leave for home when much to my dismay
A Garda car with flashing lights came up and barred me way
Says he, have you drink taken? Says I, a small amount
Says he, would that be five or six? Says I, I never count
He made me blow into the bag, saying, tonight you've gone too far!
And to the station I was taken in the back of the Bandon Car
Chorus
Now the doctor he was sent for, looking tired and distressed
Through bleary eyes he asked me, would I mind a urine test
Says I, I like things private when I answer nature's call
But that request was soon shot down I had to bare it all
Oh! what a terrible indignation to take a thing so far
And I wished that they could go to hell, along with th' oul' Bandon Car
Chorus
Now I've been law-abidin' since the day that I was born
But this terrible legislation! I view it now with scorn
There's trickies and there's hooflers who breaks laws every day
But they can't be caught easily and they get clean away
I've tried every means I know to avoid the social scar
But there is no way you'll get fair play from the boys in the Bandon Car
Chorus
THE BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Oh you Western Ocean labourers, I would have you all beware,
That when you're aboard of a packet-ship, no dungaree jumpers wear,
But have a big monkey jacket always at your command,
And think of the cold Nor'westers on the Banks of the Newfoundland.
Chorus:
So we'll rub her round and scrub her round with holystone and sand,
And say farewell to the Virgin Rocks on the Banks of the Newfoundland.
As I lay in my bunk one night a-dreaming all alone,
I dreamt I was in Liverpool, way up in Marylebone,
With my true love beside of me, and a jug of ale in hand,
When I woke quite brokenhearted on the Banks of Newfoundland.
Chorus
We had one Lynch from Ballinahinch, Jimmy Murphy and Mike Moore;
It was in the winter of sixty-two, those sea-boys suffered sore,
For they'd pawned their clothes in Liverpool, and sold them out of hand,
Not thinking of the cold Nor'westers on the Banks of Newfoundland.
Chorus
We had one female passenger, bridget Riley was her name,
To her I promised marriage and on me she had a claim.
She tore up her flannel petticoats to make mittens for our hands,
For she couldn't see the sea-boys freeze on the Banks of Newfoundland.
Chorus
And now we're off Sandy Hook, my boys, and the land's all covered with snow.
The tug-boat will take our hawser and for New York we will tow;
And when we arrive at the Black Ball dock, the boys and girls there will stand,
We'll bid adieu to the packet-ships and the Banks of Newfoundland.
Chorus
THE BANKS OF THE ROSES
Chorus:
On the Banks of the Roses me love and I sat down
And I took out me fiddle for to play me love a tune
In the middle of the tune, oh she sighed and she said
O-ro Johnny lovely Johnny don't ya leave me
When I was a young man I heard me father say
That he'd rather see me dead and buried in the clay
Sooner than be married to any runaway
By the lovely sweet banks of the roses
Chorus
And then I am no runaway and soon I'll let them know
That I can take the bottle or can leave it alone
If her daddy doesn't like it he can keep his daughter at home
And you Johnny will go rovin' with another
Chorus
And when I get married twill be in the month of May
When the leaves they are green and the meadows they are gay
And me and me true love we'll sit an and sport and play
By the lovely sweet banks of the roses
Chorus
BANNOCKBURN
(Gordon Menzies)
Edward of England northwards did ride
Will yon Scotsman fight was the question that he cried
Will yon Scotsman fight, aye in darkness or daylight
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus:
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Will yon Scotsman fight, aye in darkness or daylight
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
A hundred thousand Sassenachs had rallied to their King
And Edward King of Scots was the boast that he did sing
No English King of Scots no our freedom's nearly bought
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus
The brave and mighty Bruce to his countrymen did turn
He said stand fast and true when you reach the Bannockburn
Stand fast and true for this land belongs to you
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus
Now long-bows of England at forty-thousand force
Deadly and grim fell upon the Scottish gorse
Deadly and grim fell still we sang our battle hymn
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus
The Bannockburn is won the Sassenachs are fled
Nothing now remains but the dying and the dead
Nothing now remains but a Scottish Monarch reigns
We shall die or be free cried the Bruce
Chorus
THE BANTRY GIRLS LAMENT
Oh who will plough the fields now and who will sell the corn
And who will watch the sheep now and keep them neatly shorn
And the stack that's in the haggard un-threshed it will remain
Since Johnny went a roving all in the wars of Spain
And the girls from the Bawnage in sorrow may retire
And the piper and his bellows go home and blow his fire
For Johnny, lovely Johnny he's sailing o'er the main
He's along with other patriots to fight the King of Spain
And the boys will surely miss him when Moneymore comes round
And they grieve that their brave Captain is nowhere to be found
And the peelers must stand idle against their will and grain
For the gallant boy who gave 'em work now peels the King of Spain
And at wake or hurling matches your likes we'll seldom see
Till you come home again to us astroirin gheal mo chroi
And won't you trouble the buckeens who show us great disdain
Because our are not as bright as those you'll meet in Spain
And if cruel fate does not permit our Johnny to return
His heavy loss, we Bantry girls will never cease to mourn
We'll resign ourselves to our sad loss and die in grief and pain
Since Johnny died for freedom's sake in the foreign land of Spain
THE BARLEY MOW
Oh, here's good luck to the pint pot, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the pint pot, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the pint pot, half a pint, gill, half a gill, quarter gill, nipper kin and a round bowl
Here's good luck, good luck, good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, here's good luck to the half gallon, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the half gallon, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the half gallon, pint pot, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the gallon, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the gallon, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the gallon, half gallon, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the half barrel, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the half barrel, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the half barrel, gallon, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the barrel, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the barrel, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the barrel, half barrel, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the daughter, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the daughter, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the daughter, barrel, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the landlord, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the landlord, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the landlord, daughter, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the brewer, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the brewer, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the brewer, landlord, etc…
Oh, here's good luck to the company, Good luck to the Barley mow
Jolly good luck to the company, Good luck to the Barley mow
Oh, the company, brewer, etc…
THE BARNYARDS O' DELGATY
As I cam in tae Turra market, Turra market for tae fee
It's I fell in wi' a wealthy fairmer, The barnyards o' Delgaty
Chorus:
Lin-ten addie too rin addie, lin-ten addie toorin ae
Lin-ten low rin, low rin, low rin, the barnyards o' Delgaty
He promised me the ae best pair, that was in a' the kintra roon
Fan I gae hame tae the Barnyards, There was naething there but skin and bone
Chorus
The auld black horse sat on his rump, The auld white mare lay on her wime
For a' that I would hup and crack, They wouldna rise at yokin' time
Chorus
Fan I gang tae the kirk on Sunday, Mony's the bonny lass I see
Sittin' by her faither's side, An' winkin' ower the pews at me
Chorus
Oh, I can drink and no be drunken, An' I can fecht an' no be slain
An' I can lie wi' anither man lass, An' aye be welcome tae my ain
Chorus
My caun'le noo it is burnt oot, It's lo we is fairly on the wane
Sae fare ye weel ye Barnyards, Ye'll never me here again
Chorus
THE BARRAS
(Jim McLean)
There's a spot in Glasgow City that's well ken't the whole world o'er
It's mare famous than the Mona Lisa's face
It is visited by royalty and rouges frae every airt
Everybody kens the barras is the place
Did you ken St. Peter lost the keys to yon big pearly gates
And he thought that he'd get flung oot o' his job
But a clever angel telt him, ach St. Peter dinnae greet
You can buy one at the barras for a bob
Chorus:
Oh the barras, oh the barras, there's no in Rome or Paris
You'll have tae go tae Glasgow's Gallowgate
They sell tickets tae the moon, and a return for half-a-crown
And five bob guarantees a first class seat
You've heard how Samson lost his strength, Delilah cut his hair
He was left as weak and baldy as a wean
So he traveled o'er to Scotland, to the barras for a cure
And he soon was strong and hairy once again
One day a Frenchman noticed that the Eiffel Tower was gone
And the president when notified grew pale
So he called oot all his soldiers and they hunted high and low
Till they found it at the barras up for sale
When the Romans came tae Scotland, many donkeys years ago
They got nae further than the Gallowgate
For the lads who ran the Barras swapped them souvenirs for swords
Then the fly wee Glasgow keelies had them bate (beat)
In a school nae far frae Partick Cross the teacher asked the class
Tell me what do you know about the missing link
Then a wee lad in the front row shot his hand up in the air
You will find one at the Barras, sir, I think
When oor Prince Charlie had tae flee away frae Scotia's shores
Seek refuge far across the friendly main
For the tears ran streaming frae his eyes, hushed words he did speak
Ach, I love to see the Barras once again
So before I close my story let me give you some advice
If you're after something cheap or second-hand
Take a trip up to the barras for there's none that can compare
Tae the things they sell in Glasgow's barrowland
THE BATTLE OF OTTERBOURNE
It fell aboot the Lama's tide when Muir men won the day
The dowty Earl o' Douglas rade in tae England tae catch him a prey
He has chosen the Lindsy's licht with them the Gordon's gade
The Earl o' Fife with vowed and strife and Sir Hugh Montgomery
First they took Northumberland and there to Bambershire
Then on tae dale they burnt it hale and set it all on fire
Then he marched up tae New Castle he raid it roond aboot
Who was the Laird of this castle and was the Lady oot
Up then spake Laird Percy fair and oh but he spake high
I am the Laird o' this castle my wife's the lady gay
If thou art the Laird o' this castle sae weel it pleases me
For ere I cross the border fairs en o' us shall dee
I shall stay at Otterbourne while ye shall welcome me
Yet come ye not in three days time first lord then I'll call ye
Oh I will come proud Percy said by the licht o' loonley dee
I'll wait ye there Lord Douglas said my pledge I give tae thee
He belted en his good braed saird in tae the field he ran
But he forgot the helmet good that should he kept his brains
When Percy wa' the Douglas met I what he was frew frame
He swacked their sairds aye sair they swad till blood ran doon like rain
Percy wa' his good braed saird and good tae sharply wound
Has cut the Douglas on the brood till they fell upon the groond
The wound was deep he' fain would sleep right by the bracken tree
He's laid him doon all wounded sair beside the lily reeds
The moon was clear the day drew near 'the spears and flinders flew
And monys the gallant English man that day the Scotsman slew
The Gordon's gird in English blood they steeped their hose and shoen
The Lindsay's flew like fire aboot until the day was done
Then Percy and Montgomery met with all the fog a'tween
They swapped blaws and aye the swad till the blood ran doon between
We shall not yield tae lord or loon nor shall ye yield tae me
But yield ye tae yon Brackenbush beside the lily reed
I'll not yield tae Brackenbush nor will I tae a fire
But I would yield tae Earl Douglas or tae Hugh Montgomery
When he found out it was Montgomery he stuck his sword in the ground
Said Hugh he was a courteous nicht and took him by the hand
For he had dreamed a dreary dream a fore that fateful day
He saw a deed man win the field a deed man doon he lay
And battle was done at Otterbourne at the breakin' o' the day
Lord Douglas was buried at the Brackenbush and Percy does not away
BEEN ON THE ROAD SO LONG
(Alex Campbell)
I've been on the road, so long
Been tired and broke, so long
I've been to the south where the winds they were warm
Travelling the road of no return, so long
And I've seen what was war, so long
The ruins and scars, so long
The mansions of mud, the wounds and the blood
Seen the dying of all that was good, so long
This world's in a shroud, so long
A mushrooming cloud, so long
The lies and the greed of the leaders of men
Those cheats who would take us to war again
Yet hope lives in me, so long
For it's love that I see, so long
The courage and strength of the young man's smile
The faith that's in a little child, so long
Yes I've travelled this road, so long
Been tired and broke, so long
I've been to the south where the winds they were warm
Travelling the road of no return, so long
THE BELFAST STRIKE
(Colm Gallagher)
While driving through the streets of Belfast with everybody on strike
All me petrol was gone and I knew it wasn't long
Before I'd be using my bike brave boys
Before I'd be using my bike
I drove up to the petrol pump and there to my surprise
Was an English army soldier boy
Pumping petrol before my eyes brave boys
Pumping petrol before my eyes
I said fill her up with premium son check the oil check the water too
Put some air in me tires if any is required
And then you can shine my shoes brave boys
And then you can shine my shoes
I called for the English army man to fix my toilet bowl
Now the soldier came and I pulled on the chain
And I flushed him down the hole brave boys
And I flushed him down the hole
Yes the plumber he is an army man the butcher and the baker too
I went to confession and glory be to god
There was a soldier in there too brave boys
There was a soldier in there too
Now the English say they want to assist so here is your chance at last
You can shine my shoes you can sweep my street
You can kiss my Irish arse brave boys
You can kiss my Irish arse