25 Feb 98 - 03:57 PM (#22231) Subject: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: dcurtis@monroe.lib.mi.us I took a trip to Ireland and heard a beautiful ballad sung by an old man in a pub. The ballad was about an Irishman who lives in Australia yet misses his sweatheart back home. I can't remember much else, except it talked about an Australian bay 'becoming' an Irish one in the man's imagination (as he looked over it he thought of home). Anyone know what I'm talking about? |
25 Feb 98 - 05:48 PM (#22250) Subject: RE: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: alison Hi, It could be "If we only had old Ireland over here." The chorus goes.... "If the Blarney stone stood out on Sydney harbour And Dublin town to Melbourne came to stay, If the Shannon river joined the Brisbane Waters And Killarney's lakes flowed into Botany Bay, If the Shandon Bells rang out in old Freemantle, And County Cork at Adelaide did appear, Erin's sons would never roam, all the boys would stay at home, If we only had old Ireland over here. Does this look familiar?? Slainte Alison |
28 Feb 98 - 03:26 PM (#22550) Subject: RE: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: leprechaun Where could I hear the whole thing? Is it on a CD or album? Better yet, where could I hear you sing it? |
28 Feb 98 - 10:18 PM (#22593) Subject: RE: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: Alan of Australia G'day, Alison will sing it at the Penrith (Western Sydney) Gael's Club on St. Pat's day. It'll only cost you an air fare. If you can't make it she'll probably post it here. Cheers, |
01 Mar 98 - 01:59 AM (#22604) Subject: RE: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: Joe Offer Wall, Alan, I can't afford the time or the air fare. Wouldn't you like to post a WAV of the song here? We'd love to hear you sing. -Joe Offer- |
01 Mar 98 - 06:08 AM (#22608) Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: IF WE ONLY HAD OLD IRELAND OVER... From: alison Hi, Here goes..... IF WE ONLY HAD OLD IRELAND OVER HERE
I was (D)dreaming of old (G)Ireland and (D)Killarney's lakes and fells,
CHORUS,
If the Blarney stone stood (G)out on Sydney (D)harbour, ,
There are lots of lovely fairies dancing on the village green, ,
CHORUS,
Sorry I haven't got Alan's knack for putting chords in the right places, that's why some of the words got a bit disjointed. Seeing as you're not coming to hear me sing, (still trying to decide a name for that band!!!!!)……… these blokes are hard to please…… I'm off to put the tune into mid2txt. Slainte Alison
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01 Mar 98 - 06:37 AM (#22610) Subject: Tune Add: IF WE ONLY HAD OLD IRELAND OVER HERE From: alison Hi again, Here's the tune. I found this in an old Irish book that had always been in our house, and got my Mum and Dad to teach it to me before I emmigrated, (I had never heard it before, so I don't know if there are any recordings.) I've heard it sung a few times since I've been here. I know this is probably a stupid question but... where are you from Leprechaun?
MIDI file: IFWEONLY.MID Timebase: 480 Name: If we only had old Ireland over here This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the January 15 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1
Happy singing slainte Alison |
02 Mar 98 - 12:16 AM (#22700) Subject: RE: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: Joe Offer Nice tune, Alison, but I wanna hear it SUNG! C'mon! Make us a WAV file. Please? -Joe Offer- |
22 Oct 03 - 08:42 PM (#1040035) Subject: RE: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: GUEST it was a good song but i'm still young and have different taste! |
22 Oct 03 - 08:45 PM (#1040039) Subject: RE: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: McGrath of Harlow There's an American version of that, with various American places mentioned. But the Aussie version is the original, I'm pretty sure. |
24 Oct 03 - 09:45 PM (#1041389) Subject: RE: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: Jim Dixon An American version of "If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here" is sung by Connie Foley on the compilation album "Irish American Music of the 50's." Another American version, with somewhat different lyrics, is sung by Al Logan on the compilation "Irish Ballads, Vol. 1." Here's a composite transcription of 2 sound samples, found at Barnes&Noble: If the Blarney Stone stood out in New York harbor, And Dublin town to Boston came to stay, If the River Shannon joined the Rio Grande [or "the Mississippi"], And Killarney's lakes flowed into Frisco Bay, If the Shannon bells rang out in Kansas City,... The Czech Luma-Electronic site doesn't give lyrics, but it says "If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here" was recorded by Hank Locklin on "Irish Songs Country Style" in 1964. Authorship is attributed to "Fallon," copyright 1963. One site referred to "If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here" as a Bing Crosby song, but I have been unable to find any confirmation of that. |
25 Oct 03 - 08:26 AM (#1041562) Subject: RE: Lyrics needed:Irish-Australian Folk Song From: GUEST I'm pretty sure that an Irish baritone by the name of Sean Mooney sang the Australian version of this on a record back in the 1950s, it might even have been the original recording. Sorry I don't have the record myself. |
27 Mar 06 - 12:21 AM (#1703561) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST,Ken Boatfield....from Orlando, Florida USA What a beautiful song...and I just enjoy singing it....and I particularly enjoy the USA lyrics as well.....what a beautiful song. I thoroughly also enjoy singing the ISLE OF INNISFREE....absolutely embedded in my heart... I come from a family of McGrath's and O'neils and I love my Irish heritage.... Anyone wish to chat please email me at nurseman1951@yahoo.com and let me know who you are. Love to talk. THANKS KEN |
27 Mar 06 - 05:21 PM (#1704105) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST,beachcomber Yes, I believe also that Dublin Baritone , Sean Mooney, made the original 1950s recording of this song. It was, I feel sure, on the Walton Record Lable. I heard it, only very recently on Ronan Collins' show on RTE Radio 1. So it is still extant. |
17 Oct 07 - 12:48 PM (#2173058) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST I know the song from long ago when the portable movies came to the village hall and the song was played after the show. It's a nice tune and it does capture the essence of being gone. Ned |
17 Oct 07 - 10:55 PM (#2173372) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: Beer I sing this song quit often at Senior homes and such. One of my favorites. Beer (adrien) From Quebec, Canada |
18 Oct 07 - 05:32 AM (#2173474) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: joseph This song was recorded by the late Josef Locke and it is on one of his Cd's |
10 Feb 08 - 03:30 PM (#2258694) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST if we only had old ireland over here, can be found on FOSTER & ALLEN ,A TASTE OF IRELAND. TRACK 16 |
10 Feb 08 - 04:23 PM (#2258791) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: Jon Bartlett Below is the set collected by Phil Thomas from James Flynn in Vancouver BC in 1970 (PJT#312). As you can see, it's localized to the BC coast. Dead Horse Creek (to the southeast of Kelowna) is where Jim's from. I was dreamin' of old Erin and Killarney's lakes and dells I was dreamin' of the Shannon and the dear old Shannon bells And in my memory it suggested a vision bright and clear Of the strange things that would happen if we had old Erin here. Now if the Blarney Stone stood out in Vancouver Harbour Dublin town to Victoria came to stay If the river Shannon joined the Fraser waters And Killarney's lakes flowed into Queen Charlotte Bay. Sure we'd have those little colleens the fairest ever seen Sure we'd have those dainty fairies dancing on the village greens Every boy we would call Patsy and the girls all Molly dear Ah sure you'd think you were in heaven if we had old Erin here.. Now If the Shannon bells rang out in New Westminster And County Cork to Coquitlam would appear Why Eileen Doon would never roam and poor old Jim Flynn he'd stay at home in Dead Horse Creek If we only only had old Erin over here. Jon Bartlett |
08 Apr 10 - 04:28 AM (#2881935) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST,Greg'sGreats You may be interested to know that I am putting a near mint copy of the original 78 by Sean Mooney (with trio) up on ebay today. It was in fact on the HMV label cat no IP910 The B side is "My Father's Cabin" |
06 Jul 10 - 01:49 PM (#2940744) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST,Ger My mother has told me that it was her grand uncle who wrote the original in Boston.It's the american version. his name was Matt Cahill.I wanted to the album 'Irish American music of the 50s, which has Connie Foley singing it, for her birthday, but Amazon won't let the shipping go through.Is ther any way of contacting the seller directly. I will appreciate any suggestions. Gerry from Kerry |
25 Jul 19 - 09:00 AM (#4001998) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST,Alistair B Many people have laid claim to the writing of this song. It has been given variously as Rodell, Ruddell, Fallon, Traditional, Gilligan. There seem to be various versions in Canada, America, Australia and so on, so maybe each time it is re-written the adapter claims ownership. Leastways, it's difficult to work out who performed it first (was it Sean Mooney?) and who actually wrote the prototype? |
25 Jul 19 - 11:02 PM (#4002085) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST Okay - it's time to reveal the truth to everyone. This song dates from 1915 and was written by a great (now-forgotten) songwriter called Joe Slater, written under the pseudonym Felix Le Roy (music) with words by William Henry Fitzgerald (aka John E. Nugent). The reason that no one has ever discovered this earlier is because everyone assumes that the title is "If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here". The published title is "We'll Fly the Green Above Us", and you can find a link to the original 1915 sheet music at the National Library of Australia here: https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/19210060?selectedversion=NBD6162644 The story of this song and the rest of Joe Slater's life and career are covered in my upcoming book on Australian popular songwriters of the early 20th century. Peter D |
26 Jul 19 - 10:04 AM (#4002140) Subject: Lyr Add: IF THEY’D ONLY MOVE OLD IRELAND OVER HERE From: Jim Dixon Lyrics below are from the sheet music at Mississippi State University. You can hear a recording by Ada Jones from 1914 at the Internet Archive. IF THEY’D ONLY MOVE OLD IRELAND OVER HERE Words by Jamie Kelly and Lou Klein, music by Frank Gillen, ©1913. 1. My thoughts are often turning to a land across the sea Where all the scenes of bygone years come plainly back to me; And now my heart is yearning for that little isle so grand. I’d be happy could they move it to dear old Yankee land. CHORUS: If Blarney Castle stood in dear Chicago, If Muckross Abbey stood upon Broadway, If Shandon Bells rang out in Philadelphia, And Killarney’s lakes flowed into Frisco Bay— If the River Shannon only ran through Boston, For my native land I’d never shed a tear. Ev’ry fellow would be seen with a charming sweet colleen If they’d only move old Ireland over here. 2. This country’d save a fortune could they move old Ireland here. We wouldn’t have to import good policemen ev’ry year. With all our politicians we have half of Ireland now, And if someone spoke to Wilson the rest he’d move somehow. CHORUS: We’d put the Donnybrook in dear old Brooklyn, And shamrocks you would find in Herald Square. Along Broadway you could pick Dublin daisies. Ev’ry German band would play an Irish air. “Erin go bragh” we would find on silver dollars. Tetrazzini then would sing Bedelia Dear. Maggie Cline would feel at home; so would little Georgie Cohan, If they’d only move old Ireland over here. 3. We wouldn’t need two green flags on the rear end of a train To let you know the engineer has got an Irish name. “Would Germans be elected?” somebody said to me. I said: “You bet they would, sir, in dear old Germany.” CHORUS: Chief Meyers then would be an Irish Indian. Merkle then would call himself McGann, And Matty they would call the Irish wonder, John McGraw the leader of the Irish clan. For the pennant they would use a great big shamrock, And the Irish Giants would bring it home each year. Murry Doyle and all the gang sure they’d lick the whole shebang If they’d only move old Ireland over here. - - - Things mentioned: Blarney Castle Muckross Abbey Shandon, Cork Lakes of Killarney River Shannon Donnybrook Luisa Tetrazzini Bedelia Maggie Cline George M. Cohan Chief Meyers Fred Merkle Christy “Matty” Mathewson John McGraw New York Giants Unidentified: Murry Doyle. |
26 Jul 19 - 11:49 AM (#4002161) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: Stringsinger If we only had old Ireland with us now, The Firbolgs and Melitians would make a row. The warlike Celts would slaughter Every father, son and daughter the DeDannon tribe could surely show us how. Saint Paddy would bring the wrath of Rome to bear On unsuspecting spalpeens who’d declare “They wouldn’t be so frisky, With a glass of Irish whiskey They’d lay about enjoying a peaceful aire.” If we only had old Ireland with us now, We’d have every one behind a farmer’s plough. To replace the U.S.A. We’d form the I.R.A. And only flashing pikes we would allow If we only had old Ireland of course We’d have more cops than ever on the force. The Washers would be Women With The politicians skimmin' And we’d outlaw every vestige of divorce So let’s here it for good old Innisfael Let’s put all the Proddies into jail For none of us are fans Of the notorious Black and Tans Let’s go back in time where violence can prevail |
26 Jul 19 - 11:52 AM (#4002162) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: Stringsinger I would like to offer a disclaimer. I've been to Ireland three times and found the Irish people to be kind, generous, welcoming and intelligent. I just wanted to have some fun. |
25 Sep 19 - 10:41 AM (#4010453) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST I had a look at the American song "If They'd Only Move Old Ireland Over Here" by Kelly, Klein and Gillen which is very similar to "We'd Fly the Green Above Us". It does appear that the former came out first as the copyright date of 1913 is clearly written on the sheet music. The earliest date I can find for the Joe Slater song is a newspaper ad from his publishing company on 1st April 1915, mentioning it as a new song. But compare the verses and the melody lines. They are totally different. Here is what I think happened: The Kelly, Klein & Gillen song was published and used in the show "When Claudia Smiles", introduced by Blanche Ring and subsequently recorded by Ada Jones. In Australia, Joe Slater (whose publishing company put out large folios of songs performed on the Tivoli vaudeville circuit throughout Australia) had reciprocal arrangements with publishers in England and the U.S. and he almost certainly would have become familiar with the song. Slater had written many Irish songs himself, and the fantasy of importing Ireland to the new world would have appealed to him. He would have seen the applicability to Australia and may have been tempted to simply replace the U.S. place names with Australian ones. William Henry Fitzgerald, who is credited with the lyrics of the Australian version, may have been a real person or he may have just been a pseudonym for Slater, as was Felix Le Roy who gets credit for the music. Either way, he chose to use the American song as a basic blueprint for the content and structure of the chorus, with Australian place-names substituted, but wrote totally different verses. "Felix Le Roy" gave it a new melody, then claimed full authorship. He probably felt that it was unlikely that anyone would ever know - after all, most popular songs were disposable items with a few months' life at best. What is interesting is that it is the Australian version which made it back to Ireland and which survived there for many decades. Not only that, the American versions which were recorded in the 1950s and later were adaptations of the Australian version, rather than going back to the Kelly, Klein and Gillen song, which seems to have been forgotten. Listen to the versions by U.S. singers Connie Foley (1957) and Hank Locklin (1964). It does seem unfair that the American original gets no credit for being the forerunner of this popular song, but then the Americans got their revenge when they stole the Australian song "A Pub With No Beer" and changed it to "A Bar With No Beer" giving no credit to the original. Peter D |
25 Sep 19 - 10:57 AM (#4010456) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If We Only Had Old Ireland Over Here From: GUEST,Starship Joe Slater wrote using many names. |