Lyr Req: The Crab Song (from McLynns of Sligo)

Subject: Lyr Req: The Crab Song
From: GUEST,Cockney Colin
Date: 14 Nov 25 - 10:57 AM

I am looking for the lyrics of "The Crab Song". I have tried searching on the internet but the songs that are suggested are not what I am looking for. It was sung by an Irish Group from Sligo called The McLynns on their LP "Old Market Street". The sleeves notes say the song was given to them by "Coney Islander, Katie Haran. The McLynns were siblings, Donal, Paul and Barbara and the family ran a pub called Mclynns Bar in Old Market Street, Sligo.
I think the chorus starts "Crabs are east and crabs are west, and crabs are in the bay.
Anyone familiar with it?
Thanks
Colin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Crab Song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Nov 25 - 01:31 PM

Here's a Web page on the McLynns: https://www.irishrock.org/irodb/bands/mclynns.html

From the page: The McLynns family owned (and own still) a pub in Sligo Town on Old Market Street, where members of the family and other musicians played in traditional Irish music music sessions. This led to the formation of the McLynn Family Folk Group. They recorded an LP of traditional and contemporary folk material for CBS Records in 1979 which has started to attract the attention of collectors. The A-Side contains traditional material arranged by the McLynns and is reminiscent of the first MacMurrough LP.
The B-Side contains contemporary folk songs written by different combinations of the three band members plus Alan Zeserson, K.Zeserson, and G.Kruez.

Tracks:
Side One:
Sigh No More Ladies
The Crab Song
Gaire Na Mon
The Orange Maid of Sligo
The Rambler from Clare
The Song of Wandering Angus

Side Two:
No Surprise
Age Mood
Joanna
Sam Returns to Sam
Port Wine
The Rooster

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Crab Song (from McLynns of Sligo)
From: cnd
Date: 17 Nov 25 - 04:40 PM

Unfortunately, nothing to offer here.

The only thing I can add is that you can listen to 5 of the songs at this link, though unfortunately not the one we're after.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Crab Song (from McLynns of Sligo)
From: maeve
Date: 17 Nov 25 - 06:36 PM

There appears to be a link on bandcamp to listen to the album. No idea if it was posted with the group's permission.

https://the-mclynns.bandcamp.com/album/old-market-st

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Crab Song (from McLynns of Sligo)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 18 Nov 25 - 03:43 PM

Hmmm… Not the ancient “TheCrabfish” Child ballad? It’s certainly around here, somewhere …
Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Crab Song (from McLynns of Sligo)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Nov 25 - 04:39 PM

I was wondering how long it would take somebody to mention The Crabfish. I kinda suspected you'd be the one, Martin. But hey, can't you find the other one for us? Sligo isn't very far from you. Why don't you drive up, have a pint, and get us that song?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Crab Song (from McLynns of Sligo)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 19 Nov 25 - 05:27 AM

I might just set out some bait ...

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Crab Song (from McLynns of Sligo)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Nov 25 - 09:43 AM

So Martin is on a mission to get crabs! What could go wrong?

With a little work we might just come up with a new ballad!

Cheerily,
Charlie Ipcar