his is the setting I have of Sullivan John, note how it differs from here

Sullivan's John



O Sullivan's John to the road you've gone
far away from your native home.
You've gone with the tinker's daughter
for along the road to roam.
O Sullivan's John you won't stick it long
'till your belly will soon get slack.
Up along the old road, with a mighty load.
And your toolbox on your back.

There's an oldJill
from oer the hill
with her babe to her back strapped on.
She has an oul ash plant in her hand
For to drive her oul donkey along.
Enquiring in every public house
on the way
as along the road she passed,
Is there anyone here
to stand me a beer,
and some where to rest me ass.

There's a old horse fair
in County Clare
in a place they call Spancil Hill.
Where my brother James got a rap of a hames,
and poor Paddy they tried to kill,
They loaded him up in an oul ass and cart,
as along the road to go.
Oh bad luck to the day that he roved away
for to join with the tinker band.

And I substitute Good luck instead of bad luck.

I much prefer this version, it trips off the tongue in a mighty fine fashion. Reminiscent of other Irish Tongue twisters, such as Mary Mac, or Lannigans ball. A double entendre at the end of vs 2,great stuff
Now I don't know whether I've ever heard a recorded renditio.n of this song, though maybe from a you tube clip. but the tune I have is highly ornamented in an Irish style.