Garryowen


Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed,
But join with me each jovial blade,
Come, booze and sing and lend me aid,
To help me with the chorus.

Instead of spa we'll drink down ale,
And pay the reckoning on the nail,
For debt no man shall go to jail,
From Garryowen in glory.

We are the boys who take delight in
Smashing the Limerick lamps when lighting
Through the streets like sporters fighting,
And tearing all before us.

Instead of spa we'll drink down ale, etc.

We'll break windows, we'll break doors,
The watch knock down by threes and fours,
Then let the doctors work their cures,
And tinker up our bruises.

Instead of spa we'll drink down ale, etc.

We'll beat the bailiffs Out of fun,
We'll make the mayors and sheriffs run,
We are the boys no man dare dun,
If he regards a whole skin.

Instead of spa we'll drink down ale, etc.

Our hearts so stout have got us fame,
For soon 'tis known from whence we came,
Where'er we go they dread the name,
Of Garryowen in glory.

Instead of spa we'll drink down ale, etc.

The text for this and Soldiers of the Queen are taken from "Songs and Music of the Redcoats" by Lewis Winstock (Leo Cooper Ltd, London 1970 - ISBN 0 85052-003-7)