Lyr Req: O'Reilly's Wake / Steve O'Donnell's Wake

Subject: O'Reilly's Wake
From: GUEST,GeneO
Date: 05 Feb 02 - 06:19 PM

Many years ago (probably 45) I sat in a tavern called "The Bull Run" located just outside of Fort Devons in Masachussetts. An old ,apparently Irish, piano player sang a song that he called "O'Reilly's Wake". The chorus stuck in may mind, but not the verses.

Oh there were fighters and biters, there were Irish dynamiters, there was wine, whiskey, beer, gin and cake (not much cake) they were men of high position they were Irish politicians and they all got drunk at Tim O'Reilly's wake

I have walked around for 45 years singing the chorus. My friends threaten to disown me if I don't come up with the words to the verses. Help!!!!

Subject: Lyr Add: STEVE O'DONNELL'S WAKE
From: GUEST,Mad4Mud at work
Date: 05 Feb 02 - 06:40 PM

I found this on another site. I know you said it was called "O'Reilly's Wake" but the words are pretty much the same here:

STEVE O'DONNELL'S WAKE
(Unknown)

Steve O'Donnell was a gentleman, so everybody said
He was loved by all his friends both rich and poor
And everyone felt sorry when they heard that Steve was dead
And they saw the piece of Crepe upon the door

The barber came to shave the Galway slagga from his throat
And cut his hair in a la pompadour
A red necktie and buttonhole bouquet was in his coat
And a bunch of shamrocks in his hand he wore

Undertaker Feeney had the job to lay O'Donnell out
In a casket of the very finest make
He dressed the corpse in broadcloth and said: "Boys, there'll be no doubt"
That they'll all get drunk at Steve O'Donnell's wake

There were fighters, biters and Irish dynamiters
There was beer, gin, whiskey, wine and cake
There were men in high positions there were Irish politicians
And they all got drunk at Steve O'Donnell's wake

There were fifty candles at his head and twenty at his feet
Plenty flowers sent for friendship's sake
"Oh, Steve, me by'e, why did you die?" the grieving widow said
And we all felt sad at Steve O'Donnell's wake

Mike McGovern said that Steve O'Donnell was an awful bum
Of course he only meant it for a joke
But Paddy Mack got up his back and he made McGovern run
Cause he hit him in the eye an awful poke

They all joined in the fightin' then 'cause everyone was mad
And blood enough was spilled to form a lake
They knocked the corpse down on the floor and blew off all the lights
There was murder down at Steve O'Donnell's wake

Then the cops came in to stop the brawl to make them understand
And the corpse was picked up by his brother Dan
But someone stole the necktie from around O'Donnell's throat
Mike McGovern said O'Reilly was the man

O'Reilly's friends got crazy mad and swore they'd have his life
McGovern saw he made a great mistake
They fought and fought and danced around until the cops came in
And arrested all at Steve O'Donnell's wake

Subject: RE: O'Reilly's Wake
From: GUEST,Mad4Mud at work
Date: 05 Feb 02 - 06:41 PM

Sorry my line breaks didn't work but it's still readable!

Subject: RE: O'Reilly's Wake
From: GUEST,Geneo
Date: 05 Feb 02 - 06:49 PM

To Mad4mud. Steve O'Donnell's Wake works. Thank you

---

To avoid confusion, please post in this thread (click) if you wish to discuss this song. Thanks.
-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-