Lyr Req: Irish Jaunting Car

Subject: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Jennifer Burdoo
Date: 18 Oct 98 - 10:22 PM

I'm looking for the -original- words to 'The Irish Jaunting Car' (Cart?). Not the Civil-War-Era songs based on the tune, mind you (which are in the database). Is this an Irish song, or just a tune?

Jennifer

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Also see Low Backed Car

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Oct 98 - 10:46 PM

Come back in a couple of hours, Jennifer. I'll have it posted after my sweetie leaves for work. In the meantime, click here for a picture.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: MY IRISH JAUNTING CAR (Wilson Crean)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Oct 98 - 03:02 AM

MY IRISH JAUNTING CAR
by Wilson Crean
©copyright 1952 by James S. Kerr, Glasgow, Scotland and assigned to MCA Music

I am an Irish carman,
Ould Ireland is my home;
There's not a spot on all the earth
From here (in which) I wish to roam.
Now I like to treat the strangers
As I drive them near and far;
To the sights and scenes of Ould Ireland
On my Irish Jaunting car.

Chorus:
For driving on my jaunting car
From Roscommon to Kildare,
From Dublin down to Castle Bar
And from that to County Clare.
From Cork to Lim'rick and Athlone
Then home by Mullingar,
You can view the lakes of Killarney,
From my Irish Jaunting Car.

Some people now for a change of air,
Go far across the main;
To view the sights and scenery
Of Italy and Spain.
But if nature only could command,
They wouldn't go so far;
But would come and have a jaunt with me,
On my Irish Jaunting car.
CHORUS

Ould Ireland now for scenery
Commands the poet's pen;
Sure Ireland on the battlefield
Produces the best of men.
And on the field, humanity
Is Ould Ireland's guiding star;
Now, come and have a jaunt with me,
On my Irish Jaunting car.
CHORUS

---

Click to play

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ABC format:

X:1
T:My Irish Jaunting Car
M:6/8
Q:1/4=120
K:G
DD2DDB,|DG3B2|BAGED2|B,C5|B,/2C/2D2DDB,|DG2AB2|
BAFDDE|FG5|G/2A/2B2GGA|Bc2BA2|d/2c/2B2GD2|
B,C5|B,/2C/2D2DDB,|DG2ABB|Bc2AF2|DG5|cB2GGA|
Bc2BA2|d/2c/2B2GDB,|C5B,/2C/2|D2DDB,D|G2ABBB|
AFDDEF|G5B|B2GGAB|c2BA2d/2c/2|B2GD2B,|C5B,/2C/2|
D2DDB,D|G2ABAB|c2AF2D|G4||

Is this it, Jennifer?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Jennifer
Date: 19 Oct 98 - 06:11 AM

Can't get and use the MIDI program from here (I'm on a college campus), so I can't be sure of the tune, but the meter doesn't look right. The original must have been written prior to 1861 as well, check Bonny Blue Flag and Homespun Dress (both in the database) to get an idea of the meter and style. Thanks for the help! This is a great forum -- wish I'd found it earlier.

Jennifer

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: alison
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 12:15 AM

hi,

There's a great little song called "The Jarvey was a leprechaun", (Jarvey being the name given to the men who drive the jaunting cars). All about the leprechaun ripping off tourists.

Let me know if anyone's interested.

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 12:29 AM

If it's half as good as the one about the scimitar, you can count me in.

All the best, Dan

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 04:58 AM

Post away, Alison. I'm interested.
...Mick is interested, too, darn him.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 08:44 AM

Yes, fair one, post away. I am fairly breathless with anticipation. :-))

Mick

Subject: DTADD: The Jarvey Was a Leprechaun (J Kennedy)
From: alison
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 09:12 AM

Hi,

Here you go..... I'll work on the tune....

slainte

alison

THE JARVEY WAS A LEPRECHAUN
(Jimmy Kennedy )

A half a dozen tourists stood outside a Lim'rick bar,
And thought they'd like to take a trip by Irish jaunting car,
They jumped up on the side seats and it started down the street,
But they never saw the character upon the driver's seat.

The Jarvey was a leprechaun and had some magic power,
He toured them thro' the Em'rald Isle at a thousand miles an hour,
A phantom horse was in the shafts and no one was surprised,
For the Jarvey was a leprechaun and he had them hypnotised.

He showed them Connemara on the way to Ireland's eye,
They heard him say that Galway Bay was frozen in July,
He had them kiss the Blarney Stone on Ballybunion Strand,
And a football team from Donegal was Macnamara's band.

The Jarvey was a leprechaun and really took them round,
They went thro'' Tipperary town at twice the speed of sound,
He told them it was Mullingar when passing by Clonmel,
For the Jarvey was a leprechaun and the truth he couldn't tell!

He told them it was Cromwell lost the battle of Clontarf
He said the famous Finn Mac'coul was nothing but a dwarf,
He swore the Giant's Causeway had been in the Phoenix Park,
And it was by Killarney's lakes that Noah built the ark!

The Jarvey was a leprechaun and did the trip so fast,
Although the horse had spouted wings the pace just couldn't last,
He drove them up the airy mountain, down the rushy glen,
And the Jarvey and the passengers were never seen again.

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 11:05 AM

I love that song. Get us the tune, will ya, luv? I must bring this one on line.

Great chatting wi'ya.

All the best,

Big Mick the woodcuttin' madman.

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 01:23 PM

Jennifer-- Check again--I have no trouble at all fitting the lyrics to Bonnie Blue Flag to the Irish Jaunting Car.

It seems to me that I have read somewhere that the air for the Bonnie Blue Flag was sometimes given as "The Low Back'd Car," and you can find that by going to the following: http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/bibliosearch.html

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Jennifer Burdoo
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 04:23 PM

Thanks Bill, but I know the tune to Irish Jaunting Car and the lyrics to the Bonnie Blue Flag. What I want to know is what the original lyrics to Irish Jaunting Car were. The lyrics I mentioned were in the third message of this thread, and they were published in 1952 -- far too late. They don't match the tune used by Bonnie Blue Flag, so it's evidently not the same tune.

Thanks for the help, folks. I've found over a dozen songs right here on the forum that I've been hunting for years!

Jennifer

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 07:53 PM

Jennifer, did you miss the version of "Jaunting Car" that's in the database? It seems to be much older than the 1952 version I posted.
Ooops! I found one more in Sam Henry's Songs of the People, but I don't have time to type it now. I'll post it tomorrow.

Sarch oul' Ireland through and through, sarch it near and far,
The divil a wan can aquail me at drivin' a jaunting car.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: John Nolan
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 10:33 PM

Joe: The database one you indicated was sung by Jeannie Robertson of Aberdeen. Kevin Mitchell of Ulster collected a fairly similar version which he recorded in 1977. Kevin's first two (extra) verses go:

1. My parents I abandoned them, and on them I do scorn
For they wad me to an ould grey man for the sake o' his money and land,
If they'd wad me to some glamour boy without a penny at all
He'd have ta'en me in his arms and he'd roll me from the wall.

2. When I go to fairs and markets, sure, I sees all me glamours there
And I look upon the ould grey man and he fills me with despair
He fills me with despair, me boys, and I'll tell you the reason why
For he has two hanging eyebrows, likewise a jealaous eye.

3. Well hold yer tongue dear Sally love (Approx. etc.)

Subject: Lyr Add: MY IRISH JAUNTING CAR (from Sam Henry)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 04:13 AM

MY IRISH JAUNTING CAR
(source: Sam Henry's Songs of the People)

I'm Larry M'Hugh, a boy so true,
I belong to the Emerald Isle,
Fair attention I crave,
I'll chant you a stave –
Perhaps it will cause you to smile;
I'm jolly and gay, the truth I'll say,
And the girls both near and far
Think it a trate to take a sate
And be drove on my jaunting car.

Sarch oul' Ireland through and through,
Sarch it near and far,
The divil a wan can aquail me
At drivin' a jaunting car.

In Dublin town of great renown
You'll find me on the stand,
On my car so nate just take a sate
And we'll drive through the streets so grand,
The sights so fine all others outshine
No matter near or far,
The reins I'll grip, I'll crack my whip
And off flies my jaunting car.

If you wish for sport, sure, I'm the sort
Can find you lots of fun,
I can sit in my yoke and crack a joke
With any boy under the sun,
And I know well enough where they sell the good stuff,
And the girl behind the bar
Can tell by my wink what sort of a drink
Will grease the wheels of the car.

Subject: Tune Add: THE JARVEY WAS A LEPRECHAUN
From: alison
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 05:36 AM

Hi,

Here's the tune. I'll send guitar chord later basically one alternate verses are in G and Gm.

Hey Liam's brother..... what's the one about the scimitar?

Slainte

alison

---

Click to play

---

ABC format:

X:1
T:The Jarvey was a leprechaun
M:4/4
Q:1/4=100
K:G
D8|D2G2G2G2|G2B2B9/4c7/4|B2G2D7/4E9/4|=F25/4D7/4|
D2G2G2G2|G2B2B7/4B9/4|c2A2G2F2|G6A2|B2G2G9/4B7/4|
c2A2A9/4c7/4|B2G2D2E2|=F6D2|D2G2G2G2|G9/4B7/4B2B2|
c2A2G2F2|G6d2|DGGA3/4^A7/4A/2G=F|DDDC/2D7/2D|
DGGA^AA/2^A/2^Ac3/4d/4|-d3/4c5/4^AcA3c|ddcc^AA/2G3/2A|
^AAG=FD3C/2C/2|DGGA^AA/2^A/2^Ac|dDEFG4|-G3DDGGG|
GBBcBG/2DE3/2|=F3DDGGG|GBBBcAGF|G3ABGGB|cAAcBGDE|
=F3DD3/4G5/4GG|GBBBcA3/4G5/4F|G2d3/2d/2DGGA|
^AA/2G3/2=FDD/2DC3/2|D3DDGGA|^AA/2^A^A/2cdc/2^Ac3/2|
A3cddcc|^A/2A/2G2A^AA/2G3/2=F|D3DDGGA|^AA/2^A^A/2cdDEF|
G8||

Subject: RE: Irish Jaunting Car -- lyrics needed
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 06:49 PM

I'm still trying to figure out the tune for the version of "Irish Jaunting Car" in Sam Henry's Songs of the People. It's quite different from the other one I posted above, or the one in the database. It has some strange repeats, and abbreviations and small type I can't figure out - and it doesn't come close to fitting the words. Is there anyone here who has the Sam Henry book and enough musical ability to help me out? If you haven't figured out MIDITXT but can make a MIDI, click on my name to e-mail it to me.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Chords Add: MY IRISH JAUNTING CAR and JARVEY WAS..
From: alison
Date: 21 Oct 98 - 08:40 PM

Hi,

Guitar chords as promised... (As usual they are in front of the word they fall on.)

Slainte

alison

A (G) half a dozen tourists (D) stood outside a Lim'rick (F) bar,
And (G) thought they'd like to take a trip by (D7) Irish jaunting (G) car,
They (Em) jumped up on the (Am) side seats and it (G) started down the (F) street,
But they (G) never saw the character up (D7) on the driver's (G) seat. (D7)

The (Gm) Jarvey was a leprechaun and had some (Fm) magic (Gm) power,
He toured them thro' the Em'rald Isle at a (Cm6) thousand (Eb7) miles an (D7) hour,
A (Gm) phantom (D7) horse was (Gm) in the shafts and (Eb7) no one was sur- (D7) prised,
For the (Gm) Jarvey was a leprechaun and he (D7) had them hypno- (Gm) tised.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish Jaunting Car
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Aug 05 - 06:06 PM

Wicked Leprechaun song! I'm 15 and that's always been my favourite ''car song'' when we go on holiday - even beat the Queen album! Nothing says family holiday better than Val Doonican and his collection of leprechauns, rickety cars and money stealing goats! xXx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish Jaunting Car
From: GUEST,Tom McKinney
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 03:52 PM

Go to the Library of Congress website. Search "America Singing". When you get there, Search "The Irish Jaunting Car." Click on the first entry.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE IRISH JAUNTING CAR
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 09:47 PM

From:
One Hundred Songs of Ireland: Music and Words. Boston: Oliver Ditson, 1859.

THE IRISH JAUNTING CAR
Music by Valentine Vousden.

1. Do you want a car, your honor? Och! sure that's the one for you.
It's an outside Irish jaunting car, just painted green and blue.
It belongs to Larry Doolan, and you'll have to travel far
To find a better driver of an Irish jaunting car.
The fare is fifteen pence, but as the distance isn't far,
I'll just say one and three pence, ma'am, so jump upon the car.

2. If you want to drive round Dublin, sure you'll find me on the stand.
I'll take you to Roheny to pick cockles on the strand,
To the Phoenix Park, to Nancy Hands, the Monument, and then
I'll take you to the Strawberry Beds, and back to town again.
Get some bread and beef and porter, and some whiskey in a jar—
That's the way to take your pleasure, on an Irish Jaunting Car.

3. Oh, then, if that car should speak, sir, sure a moral 'twould disclose!
It has carried Whigs and Tories, repealers and their foes,
Yet, it looks well by obliging all, and keeps me better far,
With my whip, my pipe, my pony, and my Irish Jaunting car.
So, if you want to hire me, call into Mr. Mahar,
And he'll send for Larry Doolan, and his Irish Jaunting Car.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE IRISH JAUNTING CAR
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 10:05 PM

From:
The Universal Irish Song Book, A Complete Collection of the Songs and Ballads of Ireland. New York: P. J. Kennedy, 1898, page 13:

THE IRISH JAUNTING CAR.

1. MY name is Larry Doolan. I'm a native of the soil.
If you want a day's diversion, I'll drive you out in style.
My car is painted red and green, and on the door a star,
And the pride of Dublin City is my Irish jaunting car.

CHORUS. Then, if you want to hire me, step in to Mickey Maher
And ask for Larry Doolan and his Irish jaunting car.

2. When Queen Victoria came to Ireland her health to revive,
She asked the Lord Lieutenant to take her out to ride.
She replied unto his greatness, before they travelled far,
How delightful was the jogging of the Irish jaunting car.
    Then, if you want to hire me, &c.

3. I'm hired by drunken men, teetotalers, and my friends,
But a carman has so much to do, his duty never ends.
Night and day, both wet and dry, I travelled near and far,
And at night I count the earnings of my Irish jaunting car.
    Then, if you want to hire me, &c.

4. Some say the Russian bear is tough, and I believe it's true,
Though we beat him at the Alma and Balaklava too.
But if our Connaught Rangers would bring home the Russian Czar,
I would drive him off to blazes in my Irish jaunting car.
    Then, if you want to hire me, &c.

5. Some say all wars are over, and I hope to God they are;
For, you know full well they ne'er were good for a jaunting car;
But peace and plenty — may they reign here, both near and far;
Then we drive to feasts and festivals in an Irish jaunting car.
    Then, if you want to hire me, &c.

6. They say they are in want of men, the French and English, too;
And it's all about their commerce now they don't know what to do;
But if they come to Ireland our jolly sons to mar,
I'll drive them to the devil in my Irish jaunting car.
    Then, if you want to hire me, &c.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish Jaunting Car
From: GUEST,morrisbrendon
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 01:39 PM

There's another song with the chorus ...

"Come, come, beautiful Eileen
Out for a drive with me
Over the mountain and down by the fountain
Down through the valley dear, won't it be lovely
Make up your mind, don't be unkind,
And we'll drive to Castlebar
To the road I'm no stranger, to you there's no danger,
So hop like a bird on my old jaunting car"

...and I can't remember another word. It got a lot of airplay back in the 50's/60's. Singer might have been Patrick O'Hagen or Michael O'Duffy...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish Jaunting Car
From: Fergie
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 08:35 PM

Hi Jim Dixon

The air to Irish Jauntin' Cart beginning My name is Larry Doolin is The Jolly Beggerman

Fergus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish Jaunting Car
From: AmyLove
Date: 10 Feb 17 - 11:42 PM

At least some of the songs at this page are related to those discussed here:

http://www.vwml.org/roudnumber/13464

Just for the fun of it, a book on archive.org:

On an Irish Jaunting Car Through Donegal and Connemara by Samuel G Bayne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish Jaunting Car
From: GUEST,Dan
Date: 18 Nov 18 - 07:56 PM

when was The Irish Jaunting Car song written?

Subject: Origins: Irish Jaunting Car
From: Levana Taylor
Date: 01 Sep 21 - 05:09 PM

Quite a few jaunting car songs here but the one to which I'm referring starts, "I am an Irish carman/Old Erin is my home;" it's the one parodied as "The Jarvey Was a Leprechaun." I don't know how old it is; the first I have found it is in several songsters of the 1920s such as "Well-Known Songs of Ireland" and the 2nd edition of the Derry Journal's "Old Come-All-Yes." There is no author named in these books. The 1952 copyright record claims to be the copyright *for the arrangement* by Marion McClurg, and names the author as Wilson Crean. But Google turns up no reference to any such person as Wilson Crean before 1952.

Hear it sung by Bridie Gallagher: Youtube. I was acquainted with it via the singing of Marty O'Keefe, late of Rochester N.Y., born in Querrin, Co. Clare, in 1912.