Lyr Req: Off to California / Off to Philadelphia

08 Mar 97 - 11:43 PM (#2958)
Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: bo vandenberg

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!

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09 Mar 97 - 12:17 AM (#2961)
Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: Ricky Rackin

Yes please carry on constable!!

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09 Mar 97 - 01:04 PM (#2971)
Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: Barry Finn

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]

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19 Mar 97 - 04:28 AM (#3239)
Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: bo vandenberg

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

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19 Mar 97 - 08:21 AM (#3241)
Subject: Lyr Add: OFF TO PHILADELPHIA (from John McCormack)
From: Tim Rossiter from Philadelphia

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.

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23 Mar 97 - 04:07 AM (#3398)
Subject: RE: lyrics:
From: Bo Vandenberg

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.

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04 Mar 12 - 02:58 AM (#3316980)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Off to California / Off to Philadelphia
From: MGM·Lion

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~

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