Lyr Add: Widow Machree (Samuel Lover)

Subject: Lyr Add: WIDOW MACHREE (Samuel Lover)
From: AmyLove
Date: 11 Feb 17 - 05:55 PM

Found at bartleby.com ( Widow Machree )


Widow Machree, it 's no wonder you frown,—        
          Och hone! Widow Machree;        
Faith, it ruins your looks, that same dirty black gown,—        
          Och hone! Widow Machree;        
       How altered your air,              
       With that close cap you wear,—        
       'T is destroying your hair,        
       That should be flowing free:        
       Be no longer a churl        
       Of its black silken curl,—              
          Och hone! Widow Machree.        

Widow Machree, now the summer is come,—        
          Och hone! Widow Machree;        
When everything smiles, should a beauty look glum?        
          Och hone! Widow Machree!              
       See, the birds go in pairs,        
       And the rabbits and hares;        
       Why, even the bears        
       Now in couples agree;        
       And the mute little fish,              
       Though they can't spake, they wish,—        
          Och hone! Widow Machree!        

Widow Machree, and when winter comes in,—        
          Och hone! Widow Machree,—        
To be poking the fire all alone is a sin,              
          Och hone! Widow Machree!        
       Sure the shovel and tongs        
       To each other belongs,        
       And the kettle sings songs        
       Full of family glee;              
       While alone with your cup        
       Like a hermit you sup,        
          Och hone! Widow Machree!        

And how do you know, with the comforts I 've towld,—        
          Och hone! Widow Machree!              
But you 're keeping some poor fellow out in the cowld?        
          Och hone! Widow Machree!        
       With such sins on your head,        
       Sure your peace would be fled;        
       Could you sleep in your bed              
       Without thinking to see        
       Some ghost or some sprite,        
       That would wake you at night,        
          Crying "Och hone! Widow Machree!"        

Then take my advice, darling Widow Machree,—              
          Och hone! Widow Machree!—        
And with my advice, faith, I wish you 'd take me,        
          Och hone! Widow Machree!        
       You 'd have me to desire        
       Then to stir up the fire;              
       And sure Hope is no liar        
       In whispering to me        
       That the ghosts would depart        
       When you 'd me near your heart,—        
          Och hone! Widow Machree!


And here it is in Handy Andy:

Handy Andy (page 331)

(It continues on the following page.)

I'm wondering if anyone here knows of a recording of this song being sung. I found a couple of instrumental versions:

Widow Ma Chree (James Patrick Callahan)

The Widow Machree

And sheet music is available at a number of sites, including this one:

Widow Machree. - The Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection