Anybody know where Jackie Small (I think it was him) got this (below)? I always assumed that he had crafted the song around some written piece that he had found somewhere. Sorry, I only recall this:

"Seven of our Irish boys came down by George's(?) St.
when one of them Yankee dogs they happened for to meet
he offered them employment in a brickyard near the town
and then he did invite them all their names to write down.

he took them to an alehouse where they had drinks galore
and such an entertainment the boys had never seen before
and when he thought he had them drunk then this to them did say
"You're enlisted now, you're soldiers boys. Defend your country."

Twelve Yankees dressed in soldiers clothes came in without delay
they (lah dah dah dah dah dah dah) (a heros debt to pay(?)
Said, "Here's your commanding officer, he's enlisting you complete
ya need not think but to resist - we have you five to three."

They looked at one another and one of them did say
"Twas never to join your army we came to Americay
but to seek for better bread and board as manys the man before
and that's the only reason we left the shore."

Their Irish blood began to boil it made them Yankees frown
as soon as they could strike a blow they knocked them Yankees down
with bloody head and broken bones they'll mind 'em ever more
fromthe swing of sweet shilleleagh that they brought from Erin's shore

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My version is ridden with errors but maybe somebody has a more complete hearing of it.   At any rate, it seems to fit with the thread.

Peace,

Danny

line break fixed...hope I got it right. If not, please post to let us know. - joe clone -