Lyr Ad: The Irish, the Irish (Billy Murray)

Subject: Lyr Add: The Irish, the Irish by Billy Murray
From: AmyLove
Date: 03 Mar 17 - 11:23 PM

Obviously this song can be considered offensive, but hopefully some can find some enjoyment in it. And because from what I can tell the lyrics aren't online anywhere, I decided to share my transcription of them. I'm confident about most of it, though "fools" in the third line of the second to last stanza may be wrong.


Several links for the recording:


http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/detail/200001914/B-1078-The_Irish_the_Irish

http://www.loc.gov/jukebox/recordings/detail/id/389/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyZshi8LHJU

Someone whistling the tune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbI8f4Vv_-Y


The lyrics:


THE IRISH, THE IRISH
(words by Joseph Farrell, music by Henry Frantzen)

About four hundred years ago the Indians got a shock
A schooner from Kilkenny came a sailin' to the dock
"We're politicians," said the crew. "We'll rule this land or die."
They proved they were like Washington — they did not tell a lie

The Irish, the Irish, they always set the pace
You'll always find them up in front, they're always in the race
'Twas they who found Milwaukee in 1492
While sailing cross the ocean in the good ship Buggyboo (Bugaboo?)

Who built the streets on which we walk in this land of the free?
Who helped the ladies cross the street with noble gallantry?
And who's the busiest man in all upon election day?
And thankful are the rulers of the mighty USA

The Irish, the Irish, they're always full of tricks
They take the lead in many things, they lead in politics
I'd rather be an Irishman and never have a thin'
Than own the Philadelphia mint or be the president

Tim Clancy and his wife one night were havin' quite a fight
When Pat McGinny came along and saw the awful sight
"Leave off, you brute," says he to Tim. "'Tis wrong to strike your wife."
Then both the Clancys turned on Pat and nearly took his life

The Irish, the Irish, sometimes they're mighty queer
It's best to leave them quite alone — don't ever interfere
When they commence to scrappin', that's just your cue to see
If you can break the record climbin' up the nearest tree

One night McGuinness came home full and tried to kiss his wife
She looked into his goo-goo eyes and said, "Not on your life."
"The fools are not all dead, my dear," said he to her right back
"I wish they were," said she to him. "I look quite well in black."

The Irish, the Irish, they answer very quick
She said, "Please turn your head away — your breath is very thick.
You brute, I'm goin' to leave you. I'm goin' to Mother dear."
Said he, "That's better far than bringin' darlin' Mother here."


(as sung by Billy Murray)

Subject: RE: ADD: The Irish, the Irish, sung by Billy Murray
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 May 17 - 08:59 AM

I hear:

I'd rather be an Irishman and never have a cent

(It rhymes with "president.")

I think "fools" is correct—and the rest of your transcription is correct. Good job.

Subject: RE: ADD: The Irish, the Irish, sung by Billy Murray
From: Thompson
Date: 17 May 17 - 02:14 AM

Fascinating as an example of how hate songs are written - choose a group, write four verses of hinting sneering about their public life, then four more in the same tone about their private life.

Are we going to get some more about Jews, blacks, gypsies, etc posted here?

Subject: RE: ADD: The Irish, the Irish, sung by Billy Murray
From: gnu
Date: 17 May 17 - 04:45 PM

Thanks. Great research!

Thompson... "Are we going to get some more about Jews, blacks, gypsies, etc posted here?"

History is history. Good or bad, history needs to be studied. Lighten up your tone. Make up your own mind and not minds of others with your comment about you wanting to censor history. Post your interpretation and/or your opinion but don't try to censor the study of history with such derision.

Subject: RE: ADD: The Irish, the Irish, sung by Billy Murray
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 May 17 - 03:25 AM

Billy Murray (1877-1954) was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century. He was born in Philadelphia. His parents came to the U.S. from County Kerry, Ireland.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: ADD: The Irish, the Irish, sung by Billy Murray
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 19 May 17 - 05:05 AM

Well, as a singer and Kilkenny born Irishman, I couldn't make out any of the words in the recordings and found the tune incredibly irritating. But thanks for including the lyrics. It's obviously one of those American written pieces of rubbish probably meant to be a humorous'Irish ditty' but hopefully long ago died the death it deserved. Offensive? Only if you care about atrocious songs