To Irish folk-singers, at least in the Northern States, we owe the presence of a large part of the folk-song current in this country. ... Yet very few Irish songs have become Americanized, — due doubtless to the exile's love of his native country. Two, however, are notable exceptions. Of these, one [is] a song of the camp, entitled "The Unfortunate Rake".... The other song is as follows:
[Musical notation is printed here.]
1. "Madam, I have come to court ye, If your favor I could gain. If you highly entertain me, I will surely call again.
CHORUS: With my 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1, With my 19, 17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, and 1.
2. "Madam, I have gold and silver. Madam, I have house and land. Madam, I have worldly treasures, . . . . . . . . . . ."
3. "What care I for your gold and silver? What care I for your house or land? What care I for your ships on the ocean? All I want's a nice young man."
4. "Round about the wheel of fortune, It goes round and wearies me. Young men's ways are so uncertain, Sad experience teaches me!"*
* Sung by S. C., Boston, Mass., native of County Tyrone, Ireland.