A collection of drink-related songs, intoning the joys and perils of beer, whiskey, and Poitin (Irish moonshine) - for voice with piano and chords accompaniment. Fans of The Pogues or The Dubliners will recognise many of these classic tunes, from the comical tale of drunken infidelity 'Seven Drunk Nights', with it's well-known chorus of 'Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk, you silly old fool' - to the haunting farewell tune 'The Parting Glass'.
Traditional folk song, popular in both Ireland and Scotland, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It has been recorded by The Pogues, The Clancy Brothers and many others.
Lyrics: Of all the money that e'er I had I spent it in good company And all the harm I've ever done Alas it was to none but me And all I've done for want of wit To memory now I can't recall So fill to me the parting glass Good night and joy be to you all
A popular Irish drinking song dating from at least the sixteenth century. Beloved by pub musicians and patrons it is also a favourite amongst recording artists, including well-known versions by The Dubliners and The Pogues. It's popularity has even led to its use in advertising, for example by Dairy Crest, who used the melody for a Clover margarine advert in the UK.
Lyrics: I've been a wild rover for many a year And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer, And now I'm returning with gold in great store And I never will play the wild rover no more.
Chorus: And it's no, nay, never, No nay never no more, Will I play the wild rover No never no more.
"What Shall We do with a Drunken Sailor" is a sea shanty, sung to accompany certain work tasks aboard sailing ships. It is believed to originate in the early 19th century or before, during a period when ships' crews, especially those of military vessels, were sufficiently large to permit hauling a rope whilst simply marching along the deck. There are many variants of verses, each successive verse suggests a method of sobering or punishing the drunken sailor.
"Whiskey in the Jar" is a well-known Irish traditional song, set in the southern mountains of Ireland, often with specific mention of counties Cork and Kerry, as well as Fenit, a village in County Kerry. The song is about a Rapparee (Highwayman), who is betrayed by his wife or lover, and is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs.
Lyrics: As I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting I first produced my pistol and I then produced my rapier Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da Whack for my daddy-o. Whack for my daddy-o There's whiskey in the jar
Seven Drunk Nights (or 'Seven Drunken Nights') is a humorous Irish song in which a lover returns home to find evidence of his wife's infidelity. On asking for an explanation, she provides a series of implausible excuses. The song is based on a Scottish folk song, 'Our Goodman,' first collected in the 1770s. It achieved mass market appeal in 1967 when a recording by The Dubliners reached no.7 in the UK charts and no.1 in Ireland.
Lyrics: As I went home on Monday night as drunk as drunk could be I saw a horse outside the door where my old horse should be Well, I called me wife and I said to her: Will you kindly tell to me Who owns that horse outside the door where my old horse should be?
Ah, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool, So drunk you can not see That's a lovely sow that me mother sent to me Well, it's many a day I've travelled a hundred miles or more But a saddle on a sow sure I never saw before
"The Irish Rover" is an Irish folk song about a magnificent, though improbable, sailing ship that reaches an unfortunate end.
Lyrics: On the fourth of July, 1806, we set sail from the cold cove of Cork We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks for the grand City Hall in New York 'twas a wonderful craft, she was rigged fore and aft and oh, how the wild wind drove her She stood several blasts, she had twenty-seven masts and they called her the Irish Rover
The song is an Irish narrative ballad /music hall / drinking song. It has been recorded numerous times, including by The Pogues on their album Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash.
Lyrics: Now, my name is Jock Stewart I'm a canny gaun man, And a roving young fellow, I've been.
So be easy and free When you're drinkin wi' me. I'm a man you don't meet every day.
Irish Folk Song from c.1882 about the intoxicating properties of Irish moonshine, or poitín. It was written by Edward Harrigan with music by David Braham
Lyrics: Let grasses grow and waters flow In a free and easy way But give me enough of the rare old stuff That's made near Galway Bay And policemen all from Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim too We'll give them the slip and we'll take a sip Of the real old mountain dew.
