RED YO YO
(Matt McGinn)
Wee Anne took her yo-yo, to School she did go though, she shouldna hae taen it at a',
It fell oot her haun', and it rolled on the grun', and it went through a hole in the wa',
Chorus:
Did ye find a red yo-yo, red yo-yo, red yo-yo,
Did ye find a red yo-yo wi' a wee yella string.
The darin' wee Annie, She went tae the jannie, adecent wee man as a rule,
It's pleasin' tae tell, That he rang on his bell, And asked every wean in the school,
Chorus
The kids left their pencils and papers and stencils to knock on the doors a' aroon.
And as they went rapping and ringing and chapping they asked a' the folk o' the toon.
Chorus
The polis soon learned and they were so concerned that they left a' their murders aside,
The whole of the force was alerted of course, and they went on the telly and cried.
Chorus
All over the country the common and gentry were watching their big T.V. screen,
Things really got gaun' some when President Johnson received an appeal from the Queen.
Chorus
The wires they were tremblin' when he phoned the Kremlin to ask aboot Annie's yoyo,
But Kosygin agreed with the greatest of speed. "Sio phonvo orchen strativichen.' (whatever it means)
Chorus
In Peking and Paris and a' round the Barras the people they searched high and low,
Till finally Annie announced that her Granny had bought her another yo-yo.
Last Chorus:
And it was a red yo-yo, red yo-yo, red yo-yo,
And it was a red yo-yo wi' a wee yellow string.
Redmond O'Hanlon
(Tommy Makem)
There was a man lived in the North a hero brave and bold
Who robbed the wealthy Landlords of their sliver and their gold
He gave the money to the poor to pay their rent and fee
Count Redmond O'Hanlon the gallant rapparee
Chorus:
Then Hurrah for Count O'Hanlon, Redmond O'Hanlon
Hurrah for Count O'Hanlon, the gallant rapparee
He had a noble big black horse that was his joy and pride
A brace of loaded pistol he carried at his side
He roamed the hills and valleys, with a spirit wild and free
Count Redmond O'Hanlon the gallant rapparee
Chorus
Twas high upon Slieve Gullion Brae's he used to ply his trade
And Squire Johnson from the Fews this handsome offer made
He said, "I'll give 100 pounds to hang him from a tree.”
But not a man in all the land would sell the rapparee
Chorus
They sent the soldiers after him to try and bring him back
But O'Hanlon only laughed at them upon the mountain's track
And while the soldiers slept that night upon the mountain gorse
He stole their guns and road away upon his noble horse
Chorus
Twas back in 1681 when Count O'Hanlon died
And still along Slieve Gullion slopes they speak of him with pride
And anyone will tell you from Rathfriland to Forkhill
That in the silence of the night you'll see him riding still
Chorus
Chorus
THE REEL IN THE FLICKERING LIGHT
(Colm Galagher)
As I was walking home one evening I know this takes some believing
I met a group of creatures with the strangest looking features
A poor old dog and a worm and a weed and a fine old pigeon yes indeed
Then the Daddy Longlegs jumped up sprightly and danced to the reel in the flickering light
Round we go heel to the toe
Then the Daddy Longlegs jumped up sprightly and danced to the reel in the flickering light
On his thin and wispy spindles he was deft and he was nimble
He eyes were scientific and his dancin' was terrific
The rats and the worms they made a din and the nettles in the corner took it in
Oh God sez I tonight's the night we'll dance to reel in the flickering light
Round we go heel to the toe
Oh God sez I tonight's the night we'll dance to reel in the flickering light
Then he looked at me directly with a gaze that could dissect me
And he asked me in a whisper "Have you got any sisters?"
"Good God Almighty," sez I to him, "What sort of a man do you think I am,"
"I've only one she's not your type; she wouldn't dance a reel in the flickering light.”
Round we go heel to the toe
"I've only one she's not your type; she wouldn't dance a reel in the flickering light.”
Sez he "Does she come from another planet? Does she have a bee in her bonnet?"
"Does she do her daily duties? You never know we might be suited.”
And the rats and the worms began to laugh and some of them started shufflin' off
We're goin' to have some fun tonight gettin' ready for the reel in the flickering light
Round we go heel to the toe
We're goin' to have some fun tonight gettin' ready for the reel in the flickering light
I could see he had no scruples as I looked into his pupils
They were purple or magenta like a statue during Lent
I said I'll get her right away "Good man," sez he, "now don't delay.”
We're goin' to have some fun tonight and he flipped his legs in the flickering light
Round we go heel to the toe
We're goin' to have some fun tonight and he flipped his legs in the flickering light
Then up stepped a red carnation and they gave her an ovation
She was warm and enchanting as she slowly started dancing
And the bright auld pigeon peeled his eye and nettles and the weeds began to sigh
Daddy Longlegs said, "My, on my, are we ready for the reel in the flickering light?"
Round we go heel to the toe
Daddy Longlegs said "My, oh my, are we ready for the reel in the flickering light?"
She gentle she was charming and I heard him call her darling
He was graceful as a whisper on his delicate legs of silver
And the rats and the worms were still as mice and the poor auld pigeon said that's nice
A shimmering veil on a lovely bride and they danced to the reel in the flickering light
Round we go heel to the toe
A shimmering veil on a lovely bride and they danced to the reel in the flickering light
THE REGULAR ARMY, OH
(Harrington and Hart)
Three years ago, this very day, I went to Governor's Isle
To stand ferinst the cannon in true military style,
Thirteen American Dollars each month we surely get,
To carry a gun and a bayonet with a military step.
Chorus:
There's Sergeant John McCafferty and Corporal Donahue
They make us march up to the crack in gallant Company Q;
The drums they roll, upon my soul, for that's the way we go
Forty miles a day on beans and hay in the Regular Army, Oh.
We had our choice of going to the army or to jail,
Or it's up the Hudson River with a cop to take a sail;
So we puckered up our courage and with bravery we did go
And we cursed the day we marched away with the Regular Army, Oh!
The captain's name was Murphy, of "decent French descent"
Sure he knew all the holy words in the Hebrew testament;
And when he said to Hogan: "Just move your feet a foot,"
Sure, Hogan jumped a half a mile on Sergeant Riley's boot.
The best of all the officers is Second Lieutenant McDuff;
Of smoking cigarettes and sleep he never got enough.
Says the captain, "All we want of you is to go to Reveille,
And we'll let the first sergeant run the company.”
There's corns upon me feet, me boy, and bunions on me toes,
And lugging a gun in the red hot sun puts freckles on me nose
And if you want a furlough to the captain you do go,
And he says, "Go to bed and wait till you're dead in the Regular Army, Oh"
We went to Arizona for to fight the Indians there;
We were nearly caught bald-headed but they didn't get our hair
We lay among the ditches in the dirty yellow mud,
And we never saw an onion, a turnip or a spud.
We were captured by the Indians and brought ferinst the chafe
Says he, "We'll have an Irish stew," the dirty Indian thief.
On the telegraphic wire we skipped to Mexico,
And we blessed the day we marched away from the Regular Army, Oh!
RELUCTANT PATRIOT
(Sean McCarthy)
Oh then Paddy dear and did you hear the awful thing they say
Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden they have joined the IRA
They are drilling in the mountains to the sound of fife and drum
Young Tony's taking snapshots while young Maggie fires the gun
While young Maggie fires the gun while young Maggie fires the gun
Young Tony's taking snapshots while young Maggie fires the gun
When the news reached mother England filled the good queen with delight
She reared up on Prince Phillip in the middle of the night
And says she get thee thy Rolls Royce out and get thee ready quick and soon
For we must reach dear old Ireland by the rising of the moon
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
We must reach dear old Ireland by the rising of the moon.
When the news reached Dublin Castle De Velera danced with joy
Ah said he that Jones a camera he's a decent Irish boy
And the dear one Princess Margaret she's a darling sweet colleen
I knew her uncle very well he came from Skibbereen
Oh he came from Skibbereen, Oh he came from Skibbereen
I knew her uncle very well, he came from Skibbereen.
Oh then Paddy dear and did you hear there's trouble in the land
For the queen and DeValera they are walking hand in hand
And the most disgraceful thing me boys that you have ever seen
Was Prince Phillip playing polo on an ass in Stephen's Green.
On an ass in Stephen's Green, on an ass in Stephen's Green
Prince Phillip playing polo on an ass in Stephen's Green.
Rule Britannia, the leader of our gang
Five Chinese crackers up your bum
Go bang, bang, bang, bang bang.
REMEMBER JOHN MacLEAN
You working of Scotland all you who want her free
Remember John MacLean right well or free you'll never be
What freedom you call is not freedom at all, till tyranny is done
Not the English alone, but the tyrants at home must go before we've won
What good's your flags and banners, what good's your Bannockburn
When Scotland's full of moneymen, who will rob you in their turn
What freedom you call is not freedom at all, till tyranny is done
Not the English alone, but the tyrants at home must go before we've won
We'll proudly build a Scotland where landlord's fences fall
Where in the streets for you and me, where each can work for all
What freedom you call is not freedom at all, till tyranny is done
Not the English alone, but the tyrants at home must go before we've won
RIDE ON
(Jimmy McCarthy)
True you ride the finest horse I've ever seen
Standing sixteen one or two with eyes wild and green
And you ride the horse so well, hands light to the touch
I could never go with you no matter how I wanted to
Chorus:
Ride on, see you, I could never go with you
No matter how I wanted to
When you ride into the night, without a trace behind
Run your claw along me gut, one last time
I turn to see an empty space where you used to lie
And look for a smile to light night through a teardrop in my eye
Chorus:
Ride on, see you, I could never go with you
No matter how I wanted to
RIDING THE HIGH STOOL
(Christy Moore)
I was riding the high stool, expandin' and expoundin',
On the price of rice in Sierra Leone and the height of the beef mountain.
As to where did Jack Doyle meet Movita. How many wives did the Aga Khan.
Dismountin' from my high horse, I couldn't find the handle of the bar room door!
Yeah sure I knew it all then up again' the counter,
I'd weigh you up in ten seconds flat.
Ya see I was a great judge of character, my instincts always tellin' me exactly what kinda guy I got.
'Til I turned to go that is, whereupon I couldn't tell my arse from my well-bent elbow.
I was heading down the streets of Laredo singin' Red Sails in the Sunset,
Sure it was no wonder, we knew it all then.
Twas like drinkin' porter off a sore leg sez Ber Murphy.
"Would ye ever ask me bollix", sez Kenny Barry.
I showed them the colour of me money when I got back from Katanga,
There's no business like show business sez Titch Maher in Flood's bar.
After snaggin' turnips for the Holy Fathers,
But after it got dark, much later; down by the Pinkeen Bridge. I cried buckets in the river,
When Mickser sang "Oh gentle Swallows"…….oh gentle swallows
For knowin' it all is a lonely place to be. Yet still I found it very hard to say,
"Hey man, this load is too much for me, til I was completely terrified.
Whereupon a light ship came upon my way, and caught me in its beam.
Before I went under, yet again, for the very last time.
I was ridin' the high stool, expandin' and expoundin'.
Swimming in the wine lakes and climbing the beef mountains.
Ridin' the high stool expandin' and expoundin',
On the price of rice in Sierra Leone and the height of the beef mountain.
Ridin' the high stool expandin' and expoundin'….
RIFLES OF THE I.R.A.
In nineteen hundred and sixteen, the forces of the crown
To take the orange, white and green, bombarded Dublin town
But in "twenty-one" Britannia's Huns were forced to earn their pay
And the Black and Tans like lighting ran from the rifles of the I.R.A.
They burned their way through Munster and laid Leinster on the rack
In Connaught and in Ulster marched the men of brown and black
They shot down wives and children in their own heroic way
And the Black and Tans like lighting ran from the rifles of the I.R.A.
They hanged young Kevin Barry high, a lad of eighteen years
Cork city's flames lit up the sky, but the brave boys knew no fear
The Cork Brigade with hand grenades in ambush waiting lay
And the Black and Tans like lighting ran from the rifles of the I.R.A.
The Tans were got, taken out and shot, by the brave and gallant few
Sean Tracy, Dinny Lacy and Tom Barry's gallant crew
Though we're not free yet, we won't forget until our dying day
How the Black and Tans like lighting ran from the rifles of the I.R.A.
RINGSEND ROSE
(Pete St. John)
In Dublin Town there lived a girl
Fairer than the flower I'm wearin'
Rose Donoghue--all fresh and new
And I love her past all carin'
Chorus:
And there she goes my Ringsend Rose
In God's Garden there's none rarer
And there she goes my Ringsend Rose
Dublin Town has seen none fairer
Sweet seventeen, my seamstress queen
She's no bigger than a thimble
Soft satin skin, street Arab's grin
Sure she makes the work looks simple
Chorus:
And there she goes my Ringsend Rose
In God's Garden there's none rarer
And there she goes my Ringsend Rose
Dublin Town has seen none fairer
Three yards of lace to walk with grace
And the golden ring she's askin'
The savin's slow--ah but still I know
That our love is ever-lasting
Chorus:
And there she goes my Ringsend Rose
In God's Garden there's none rarer
And there she goes my Ringsend Rose
Dublin Town has seen none fairer
And there she goes my Ringsend Rose
In God's Garden there's none rarer
And there she goes my Ringsend Rose
Dublin Town has seen none fairer
THE RISING OF THE MOON
Oh, then tell me Sean O'Farrell, Tell me why you hurry so?
Hush me Buchall hush and listen, and his cheeks were all a-glow,
I bear orders from the captain; get you ready quick and soon,
For the pikes must be together by the Rising of the Moon.
Chorus:
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
The pikes must be together by the rising of the moon
Oh, then tell me Sean O'Farrell, where the gathering is to be?
In the old spot by the river, right well known to you and me
One more word for signal token, whistle up the marching tune.
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon
Chorus:
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon
Out of many a mud wall cabin, eyes were watching through the night,
Many a manly heart was throbbing, for the coming morning light
Murmurs ran along tile valley, like the banshees lonely croon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon
Chorus:
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon
There beside the singing river, that dark mass of men were seen
Far above their shining weapons hung their own beloved green
Death to every foe and traitor, forward strike the marching tune
And hurrah me boys for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon
Chorus:
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
And hurrah me boys for freedom, by the rising of the moon
By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
And hurrah me boys for freedom, by the rising of the moon
THE ROAD TO DUNDEE
Cauld winter was howlin' o'er moor and o'er mountain
And wild was the surge o' the dark rolling sea
When I met about daybreak a bonnie wee lassie,
Who asked me the road and the miles tae Dundee
Says, I my young lassie, canna weel tell ya
The road and the distance I canna weel gie:
But if ye'll permit tae gang a wee bittie.
I'll show ye the road and the miles tae Dundee
At once she consented and gave me her arm;
Ne'er a word did I speir wha the lassie might be,
She appeared like an angel in feature and form,
As she walked by my side on the road to Dundee.
At length wi' the Howe o' Strathmartine behind us,
And the spires of the toon in full view we could see;
She said “Gentle sir, I can never forget ye
For showing me so far on the road to Dundee.”
“This ring and this purse take to prove I am grateful
And some simple token in trust ye'll gie me,
And in times to come I'll the laddie remember
That showed me the road and the miles to Dundee.”
I took the gowd pin from the scarf on my bosom,
And said “Keep ye this in remembrance o' me”
Then bravely I kissed the sweet lips o' the lassie
Ere I parted wi' her on the road to Dundee.
So here's to the lassie I ne'er can forget her
And ilka young laddie that's listening to me
No never be sweir to convoy a young lassie
Though it's only to show her the road to Dundee.