Lyr Req: Drink a Round to Ireland (Hugh Prestwood)

Subject: Drink a Round to Ireland
From: bodhran-man
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 07:52 PM

I heard this song sung by Judy Collins on a folk music reunion show on cable in the mid 80's. I have found references to her writing it. I have found it listed in several discographies, but I can't find the lyrics. The chorus is:

Drink a round to Ireland, boys. I'm home again. Drink a round to Jesus Christ, who died for Irish men.

Song tells story of imigrant family, father always wanted to go back to Ireland. Father doesn't make it, but Singer eventually goes back. He is upset with the changes, and he is thankful father never made it to see the conflicts.

First line: "Father was a singin' man." . . ."Ireland of his childhood, Ireland of his dreams. To return to Ireland was his dream."

Hope someone can help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sing a Song for Ireland
From: Sorcha
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 08:42 PM

I didn't find them, but Judy has an e mail addy posted on her site:
[e-mail] You could try asking her.

Subject: Req: Drink a Round to Ireland (Judy Collins)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 10:15 PM

Well, I found out it's called "Drink a Round to Ireland," and it's on the 1982 Time of Our Lives CD by Judy Collins....
Songwriter was Hugh Prestwood.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: ADD: Drink a Round to Ireland (Hugh Prestwood)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 05:04 PM

DRINK A ROUND TO IRELAND
(Hugh Prestwood)

Father was a singin' man, most of what he sang
Had to do with Ireland, the place from where he came.
Ireland of his childhood, Ireland of his dreams.
To return to Ireland was his dream.

CHORUS
Drink a round to Ireland, boys, I'm home again.
Drink a round to Jesus Christ, who died for Irishmen.

I guess he left his dreams to me after he was gone;
And there were many years to come where I sang my father's song.
And so I came to Ireland; here I live today.
Lately I've been wonderin' why I stay.
CHORUS

And I think you're fortunate your dreams did not come true;
I know that it would break your heart to see the things we do.
If you could see the murder here, if you could feel the pain;
To see the way we live would bring you shame.
CHORUS (twice)

transcribed by ear from the 1989 Judy Collins album, Times of Our Lives

Songwriter: Hugh Prestwood - Judy Collins recorded a number of Prestwood's songs.