Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev

Subject: Lyrics to My Father Loves Nikita Kruschev
From:
Date: 04 Dec 97 - 01:38 PM

A good friend of mine who plays regularly at an Irish Pub in Kingston Ontario is looking for the lyrics to this obscure song "Me Father loves Nikita Kruschev" If anyone has the lyrics, or know where I can get hold of them, I would appreciate the info. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyrics to My Father Loves Nikita Kruschev
From: Jaxon
Date: 04 Dec 97 - 04:30 PM

I have a couple of versions, including a live one, by The Clancy Brothers. I try to get the lyrics off that in the next day or so. There is a non-sensical part of the chorus that goes "diddly-ya, diddly-ya etc.". At the end they've speeded the song up incredibly. If you'd rather have a tape of it let me know.

Jack Murray

Subject: RE: Lyrics to My Father Loves Nikita Kruschev
From: Gen Lamorie
Date: 05 Dec 97 - 10:13 AM

Thanks Jack, that would be great if you could just pass on the lyrics!!! I would really appreciate it.

Gen Lamorie

Subject: RE: Lyrics to My Father Loves Nikita Kruschev
From:
Date: 11 Dec 97 - 06:08 PM

Hi Jack

I was just wondering if you had any luck getting the lyrics to the song?

Gen

Subject: RE: Lyrics to My Father Loves Nikita Kruschev
From:
Date: 31 Aug 98 - 11:28 AM

If anyone has the lyrics to this song, I, too, would be interested. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 May 05 - 06:08 PM

According to allmusic.com, MY FATHER LOVES NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV was written by Colm Gallagher and sung by Tommy Makem (and perhaps Liam Clancy) on "The Makem & Clancy Concert," Shanachie LP #52003, 1990, which has been reissued as a CD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: Peace
Date: 23 May 05 - 06:26 PM

Thirty second sound clip here.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:Taw9BJCv0hsJ:www.musicoutfitter.com/store/item/016351520326/inconcert.html+MY+FATHER+LOVES+NI

Subject: Lyr Add: MY FATHER LOVES NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 May 05 - 09:21 AM

Makem.com has the lyrics and so now does the Mudcat.

I modified them a bit to add the "did-in-na-ya" part. Oddly enough, Makem makes a big deal about the "did-in-na-ya" on the album but fails to put them in the lyrics on his site.

Blackcatter

MY FATHER LOVES NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV
Words and music by Colm Gallagher

One fine day in May, the sun was on the sea
I went for a swim, I took along my bottle
Swam among the waves so very calm indeed
And green as all the grass that grows from Howth to Dalkey
Swam around Killiney Bay, lovely day
Down below I see a couple of hungry fishes
Then I went along my way, rounding the bay
I thought I'd better say a prayer for dear old daddy

Chorus:
Holy moly me, my father loves Nikita Khrushchev
Holy moly me, he loves Nikita Khrushchev
Holy moly me!
Did-in-na-ya, did-in-na-ya, did-in-na-ya, did-in-na-ya,
Did-in-na-ya, did-in-na-ya, did-in-na-ya, did-in-na-ya,

Stood upon a rock and looked out on the sea
Sleeping like a baby long before he's born
I felt the morning breeze so very sweet indeed
Like fishes in the night and seaweed in the morning
Took a towel and dried me back, lit up a fag
Watched the smoky blue go blowing out in the sunlight
Out beyond Killiney Bay, over the sea
I thought I'd better say a prayer for dear old daddy

Chorus

I am happy here, my bottle is in my hand
Half a quart of beer is all I really need
I whistled out today, today I never planned
Never knew that I could do without my brother
Or me sister or me aunt, bad as they are
Never knew that I could do without my mother
Threw my bathing suit away, those who have seen it
Once will never mind it, the others won't recognise it

Chorus

Ran along the sand and jumped from rock to rock
Going to get a tan in places I never dreamed of
Anyone I meet will surely get a shock
Unless they're doing the same as me this lovely evening
Turning cartwheels in the sand, over I go
Standing on my head and landing on my bottom
Such a lovely day today, happy I am
That I've got more to do than worry about my father

Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,padgett (at home)
Date: 25 May 05 - 02:26 AM

Only time i ever heard this song was I think in the 1980s by a singer called Domnal McGillicot or something similar, a lovely little Irish bloke living in England, West Yorkshire I think and at the old Redcar folk Festival. he had umpteen in similar vein anyone remember him or know whereabouts?

Ray padgett

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: Susan A-R
Date: 25 May 05 - 10:19 PM

I used to sing this one a while back. You may have to shorten the first line of the chorus to
Holy Mo me father loves . . . In order to fit the melody. It's a fun one. Nice to see it written, I've sung it by ear and some of my words have always been suspect.

Thanks.

Susan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,belfast, sans cookie
Date: 26 May 05 - 06:29 AM

The tune, I think, is 'The Boys of Ballysadare'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: Susan A-R
Date: 26 May 05 - 08:34 PM

I was just going to ask that one. I know I've heard it as a fiddle tune. A

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: Blackcatter
Date: 27 May 05 - 01:19 PM

I was going to ask if that was a tune or a song with lyrics - couldn't find any lyrics, so I guess it's just a tune.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,kbt
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 03:03 PM

I wonder whether anyone knows anything more about Colm Gallagher. It is such a peculiar and enchanting song that I'd like to know more about its author.

Interestingly, on his site, Tommy Makem credits Gallager with both the words and the music. Others, including on this site, recognise it as a traditional tune. With its 6/4 (rather than 6/8) feel, divided into 4/4 and 2/4 it certainly sounds like a traditional tune (or an exceptionally good pastiche of one), but perhaps the "Holy mo..." section was added by Gallagher, and possibly the "Diddnya" bit too. I wonder whether the minor-key version of the main tune that they play in the instrumental is the "original" Boys of Ballysadare but the overall composition is by Gallagher using the traditional air as its main feature. I'd certainly be interested to hear other thoughts on this.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 01:21 PM

Colm Gallagher is a singer-songwriter, the son of an Irish politician, who entertained nightly in Molly Malone's in LA during the late 1970s. He had a real mission to entertain and produced several recordings. I have a particular fondness for 'If you want to keep the beer cold, put it near my ex-wife's heart' , as I sing the backing vocals! I would dearly love to locate a CD of it.
Hope this satisfies your curiosity.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,Seonaid
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 08:12 PM

Wow -- Colm Gallagher!
I had the good fortune to sing with him at Molly Malone's in the 70's, and later did some backup vocalizing on several of his self-produced recordings. I wish I had copies of those!
Colm has written quite a few lyrics, including the beautiful "I Loved a Lady" (which Gordon Bok once recorded, uncredited), and the utterly weird "Bridey Murphy and the Kamikaze Pilot" (recorded by a band named Claddagh).
As far as I know, Colm is still living in the Los Angeles area. I last saw him about four years ago at the "Grand National Irish Fair" in L.A., where he was playing "cynical auld leprechaun" Irishness to the audiences, whackin' away on his electric guitar. Glad I know the better side of him.
I have to thank him for teaching me a great deal about not taking oneself or one's audience too seriously, while remaining as true as possible to the real music.
(He'll probably puke if he reads this sentimental goop!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 12:27 PM

"Bridey Murphy" is one seriously wierd song!

Do we have it round here somewhere?

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 12:30 PM

Yep! It's in this thread albeit unformatted.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,Th
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 07:38 AM

There is now a superb Makemn/Clancy full version of this is now on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ry28oht5R8

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: sandinmyears
Date: 26 Dec 10 - 08:54 PM

I don't get the point of the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 08:00 PM

Point? There needs to be a point? It's a whimsical joyful song whose nonsense never fails to lift my spirits.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Mar 14 - 06:47 PM

There are three versions of it on Youtube. Always worth trying.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: Stewie
Date: 02 Mar 14 - 09:31 PM

Michael Black recorded a fine rendition on his excellent self-titled CD.

Michael Black.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Mar 14 - 05:15 AM

wonderful wonderful words. its what I've always suspected. the folk scene has many hidden geniuses.

what a wordsmith!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Mar 14 - 06:07 AM

I suppose the song does need clarification for younger readers.

when our fathers were fighting world war two; bullets and bombs killing their friends and families; the newsreels were full of praise for our wonderful ally, namely uncle joe stalin, murderous despot in charge of Russia.. wonderful bloke - they were informed

so there was affair amount cynicism when Winston Churchill came up with hi iron curtajn speech - saying in no uncertain terms that uncle joe was now officially a complete shit.

an uprising in hungary and the berlin wall, to most people, put a rubber stamp on Churchill's assessment that the Russian government were nasty bastards.

however when nikita kruschev (uncle joe's rather beastly successor) backed down over the Cuban missile crisis. and saved the world from nuclear conflagration - many people said - well someone had to back down. particularly older people in England who remembered when Russia had been our ally saw kruschev, as the grown up one and kennedy as a petulant baby. after all we in Europe had had nuclear weapons up our jaxi since the war, why was missiles in cuba such a big deal?

thus my father loves nikita kruschev - who wouldn't want to get drunk and run unfettered by family nonsense, clothes and all kinds of bullshit.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: beeliner
Date: 03 Mar 14 - 03:36 PM

Actually, a lot of Americans, including my own father, were 'soft' on NK because 1. He was deemed to be a true 'man of the people', as opposed to his three predecessors, who had been seen as more or less the devil incarnate, and 2. He had a sense of humor.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 19 - 03:43 PM

I wrote the Khrushchev song and you all got it right .Bridey Murphy is not weird.It is a boy meets girl son
                                 Colm Gallagher.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST
Date: 13 May 19 - 07:21 AM

I have a recording of The Chieftains playing a medley that's called The Boys of Ballisodare, but with the tune of the NK song featuring as the second tune (and no separate title listed). So the mystery's still not entirely solved. Love CG's song-text, though -the joy, the wit, and the sheer cheek of it. :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,Rene
Date: 07 Aug 19 - 09:17 AM

Actually, I'm in the process of learning this beautiful tune on the Banjo. I'm getting it fro the celtic banjo guy, Tom Hanway. He calls it "The Boys of Ballysadere". And the unusual thing 'bout this tune it is a slip-jig and in 9/8 time!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,Connie O'Hayden
Date: 07 Aug 19 - 01:54 PM

"And the unusual thing 'bout this tune it is a slip-jig and in 9/8 time!"
What's unusual about that ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Father Loves Nikita Khrushchev
From: GUEST,Eamonn Gavin
Date: 23 May 21 - 12:10 PM

Colm sadly died on 7th May 2021 in LA. I grew up with Colm in Iona Villas in Dublin until I went to England in 1958, aged 15. Colm was 16 days younger than me. He was a very strong personality, and we had a super childhood, thank God. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. See you later, Colm!!