The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2144   Message #7875
Posted By: Jon Whitney
01-Jul-97 - 04:49 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Farewell to Whiskey / Johnnie My Man
Subject: Lyr Add: FAREWELL TO WHISKEY (Boys of the Lough)
On an early self-titled Boys of the Lough album from 1974, there's a song called FAREWELL TO WHISKEY. I'm usually pretty good at picking out lyrics, but there are a few places I just can't understand in this one. I've put down what I did get. Can anyone help me fill in the missing places where I put ????. Also, does anyone know where I can get a clean copy (LP or cassette, I don't think its on CD) of the album? I consider it one of the Boy's best.

Oh, Johnny, my man, do ye no think o' risin'
For the day is weel spent and the night's comin' on
The cellars are dim, and the doorstoop is empty
O rise up my Johnny and come awa' hame

The bairnies at hame, they are ???? and greetin'
The meal in the barrow, the ????
While you sit here drinkin', you leave us lamentin'
O rise up my Johnny, and come awa' hame.

Wha's that at the door, that is speakin' sae kindly
It's the voice of my wee wifie, Maggie by name,
Come in, my dear lassie, and sit doon beside me.
O rise up my Johnny, and come awa' hame.

O Johnny, my man, do ye no mind the courtin'?
The ale-hoose or tavern ?????
We spent lang days ???? the sweet scent of roses,
And ne'er gie a thought upon gon' awa' hame.

Oh, weel dae I mind O these times that ye speak o'
But these days they are gone and will ne'er come again
But as for the present, we will try for to mend it
So gie's your heart, Maggie, and I'll awa' hame.

Then it's Johnny arose, and he bangs the door open,
Saying cursed be the tavern, that e'er let me in
And cursed be the whiskey, that made me aye thirsty,
And fare thee well whiskey, for I'm awa' hame.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 19-Mar-02.