This is almost the same as what Paddy posted above, but there are a few interesting differences.
-Joe-

IN PRAISE OF THE CITY OF MULLINGAR

You may strain your muscles To brag of Brussels,
Of London, Paris or Timbuctoo
Constantinople Or Sebastople,
Vienna, Naples or Tongataboo
Of Copenhagen, Madrid, Kilbeggan
Or the capital of the Rooshian Czar
But they're all infarior to The vast, suparior,
And gorgeous city of Mullingar

That fair metropolis So great and populous,
Adorns the region of sweet Westmeath,
That fertile county Which nature's bounty
Has richly gifted with bog and heath.
Them scenes so charming Where snipes a-swarming
Attract the sportsman that come from far;
And whoever wishes May catch fine fishes
In deep Loch Owel near Mullingar

I could stray forever By Brusna's river,
And watch its waters in their sparkling fall
And the ganders swimmin' And lightly skimmin'
O'er the crystal bosom of the Roy'l canal;
Or on Thursdays wander 'Mid pigs so tender,
And geese and turkeys on many a car,
Exchangin' pleasantry With the fine bold peasantry
That throng the market at Mullingar.

Ye nine, inspire me, With rapture fire me
To sing the buildings, both old and new,
The majestic court-house And the spacious workhouse,
And the church and steeple which adorn the view.
Then there's barracks airy For the military,
Where the brave repose from the toils of war;
Five schools, a nunnery, And a thrivin' tannery,
In the lovely city of Mullingar.

The railway station With admiration
I next must mention in terms of praise,
Where trains a-rollin' And ingines howlin'
Strike each beholder with wild amaze.
And then there's Main Street That broad and clean street,
With its rows of gas-lamps that shine afar;
I could spake a lecture on the architecture
Of the gorgeous city of Mullingar.

The men of genius, Contemporaneous
Approach spontaneous this favoured spot,
Where good society And great variety
Of entertainment is still their lot.
The neighbouring quality For hospitality
And conviviality unequalled are;
And from December Until November
There's still divarsion in Mullingar.

Now, in conclusion, I make allusion
To the beauteous females that here abound;
Celestial creatures With lovely features
And taper(ed) ankles that skim the ground.
But this suspends me, The theme transcends me -
My muse's powers are too weak by far;
It would take Catullus, Likewise Tibullus,
To sing the beauties of Mullingar.


from More Irish Street Ballads, by Colm O Lochlainn, 1965
page 172, #87

O Lochlainn found the lyrics in Songs and Fables, by Professor W.J. Rankine (Glasgow: Maclehose, 1874)


tune (written by Colm O Lochlainn):

Click to play