Lyr Req: Off to California / Off to Philadelphia

Subject: lyrics: Paddy Leary / Off to California
From:
Date: 08 Mar 97 - 08:45 PM

Looking for a "stage Irish" song about Paddy Leary from Tipperary to the tune well known. 10 Q for your responses!!

Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: bo vandenberg
Date: 08 Mar 97 - 11:43 PM

Is this the tune with the chorus:

"cause I lately took the notion to go sail across the ocean, And I'm off to californy in the morning!

Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: Ricky Rackin
Date: 09 Mar 97 - 12:17 AM

Yes please carry on constable!!

Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: Barry Finn
Date: 09 Mar 97 - 01:04 PM

Sorry Ricky, I don't have the words, I'll keep a weather eye out for them,for you.I thought I'd run across you, if I kept looking.I've been trying to e-mail you without success, my e- mail is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: bo vandenberg
Date: 19 Mar 97 - 04:28 AM

I'm sorry i was away from the cpu for a few days

I think the song you want is not actually "California" but "Off to Philadelphia". I know I have it somewhere, i'll get back to you soon.

bo , sorry bout the delay

Subject: Lyr Add: OFF TO PHILADELPHIA (from John McCormack)
From: Tim Rossiter from Philadelphia
Date: 19 Mar 97 - 08:21 AM

OFF TO PHILADELPHIA
(from John McCormack)

O me name is Paddy Leary from a spot in Tipperary.
The hearts of all the girls I'm a thorn in;
But come the break of mornin' it is they who'll be forlorn,
For I'm off to Philadelphia in the mornin'.

CHORUS: With me bundle on me shoulder, faith, there's no man can be bolder.
I'm leavin' dare old Ireland without warnin';
For I lately took the notion for to cross the briny ocean,
And I'm off to Philadelphia in the mornin'.

There's a girl named Kate Malone sure I'd hope to call me own,
To see my little cabin floor adornin';
But my heart is sad and weary. How can she be Mrs. Leary
When I'm off to Philadelphia in the mornin'? CHORUS

When they told me I must leave the place, I tried to wear a cheerful face.
To show me heart's deep sorrow I was scornin';
But the tears will surely blind me for the friends I leave behind me
When I'm off to Philadelphia in the mornin'.

CHORUS 2: With me bundle on me shoulder sure there's no man can be bolder.
I'm leavin' just the spot that I was born in;
But some day I'll take the notion to come back across that ocean,
To me home in dear old Ireland in the mornin'.

I believe this song is a precursor to "Off to Tipperary" which depicts an emigrant coming home.

Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: Bo Vandenberg
Date: 23 Mar 97 - 04:07 AM

Beat me too it! Good for you.

My source is an old John McCormack recording rereleased on EMI "GREAT REORDINGS OF THE CENTURY". It lists next to the song "(Temple--Hanes)" the writers? There is no copyright listed.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Off to California / Off to Philadelphia
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 02:58 AM

I remember hearing this sung by an Irish singer at the Players Theatre Victorian-style music hall in Villiers Street, between Strand and Embankment, in mid-1950s. He was a tall good-looking baritone with Brylcreemed hair, but I forget his name. He carried as a prop the traditional worldly goods wrapped in a red handkerchief tied to end of a walking-stick over his shoulder. The tune has remained with me.

"Off to Philadelphia in the Morning" was used as the title, in obvious ref to the song, of a 1947 novel by a once prolific and quite distinguished {awarded CBE} Welsh writer called Jack Jones, who has a detailed entry in Wikipedia. I remember it as a Penguin paperback on the bookstalls, but if I ever read it, it has not left much with me. Anyone else know more of it?

~Michael~