LET YE ALL BE IRISH TONIGHT

Michael McCarthy once gave a great party
On St. Patrick's night in his mansion so fine.
His friends and relations received invitations.
They formed quite a crowd when they sat down to dine
Beside all the Irish in town. My, but I wish
I knew all the names of the folks gathered there.
Some Germans and Hebrew, Italians and Swedes too,
All nations attended McCarthy's affair.

They listened with glee to their host
When McCarthy said, "Boys, here's a toast".

Let ye all be Irish tonight. Let ye all be Irish tonight.
Ye French, Scots, and Germans, Italians, and Jews,
Just act like McNultys, Malones, and McHughs,
And I'll shake ye all by the hand, as if ye came from Ireland.
Forget all your troubles, your cares, and your woes.
Imagine you're one of the Mc's and the O's.
Do everything Irish and you'll have no woes.
Let ye all be Irish tonight. Let ye all be Irish tonight.

Big Herman Moser, the fat German grocer,
Sat down by the side of contractor McCann,
And Sandy Macpherson, a tall Scottish person,
Paired off with McGinty, the big alderman,
And Tony Morreti, who deals in spaghetti,
Held hands with the charming Bedelia McGee.
That Swede Arthur Swanson, and English Bill Johnson,
They both strained their throats singing "Mother Machree."

McCarthy said, "Stop where you are.
Stand up and shout 'Erin go bragh.'"

Let ye all be Irish tonight. Let ye all be Irish tonight.
Ye French, Scots, and Germans, Italians, and Jews,
Just act like McNultys, Malones, and McHughs,
And I'll shake ye all by the hand, as if ye came from Ireland.
We'll start with the Jews and we'll take the name Ike.
We'll stick an M on it and change it to Mike.
Do everything Irish and I'll treat ye right.
Let ye all be Irish tonight. Let ye all be Irish tonight.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 24-Jul-02.