SLÁN ABHAILE ALBUM LYRICS

Step It Out Mary
(Music & Lyrics by Sean McCarthy, Copyright Morning Music (Usa) Inc.)

In the village of Kilgory, there’s a maiden young and fair, 
Her eyes shine like diamonds, she has long and golden hair. 
A horseman he comes riding, riding up to her father's gate,  
On a pure white stallion, and he comes at the strike of eight.  

Chorus: 
So, step it out Mary, my fine daughter, 
Step it out Mary, if you can. 
Step it out Mary, my fine daughter, 
Show your legs to the countryman. 

I have come to court your daughter, Mary of the golden hair. 
I have gold and I silver, I have goods beyond compare. 
I’ll buy her silks and satins, and a gold ring for her hand, 
She shall have a mansion, she'll have servants to command. 

(Chorus) 

I don’t want your gold & silver, I don’t want your house and land! 
I’m in love with a soldier, I have promised him my hand. 
But her father spoke up sharply, "You will do as I command! 
You'll get married on a Sunday, and you'll wear that wedding band!”  

(Chorus) 

In the village of Kilgory, there's a deep stream flowing wide, 
And on her wedding day at midnight, she drowned with her soldier boy. 
In the cottage there is music, you can hear her father say:  
“Oh step it out Mary my fine daughter, Sunday is your wedding day!”  

(Chorus 4x)

 

Bold Doherty
(Traditional)

Me name is Bold Doherty, from the north country, 
Where there's a still upon every stream. 
Oh, lady be quicker and pour me more liquor, 
And fill me a glass of the stronger than cream. 
If I had you Molly, so pleasant and jolly, 
Although it be folly to ask you at all, 
I'd fill up me glass with a mile to the bottom, 
And I'd drink to young Molly, beside Donegal. 

Chorus:
With me, fall-the-doll-doh, fall-the-doll-doh with me,
Fall-the-doll-doh with me, fall-the-doll-day.
Fall-the-doll-doh, fall-the-doll-doh with me,
Fall-the-doll-doh with me, fall-the-doll-day. 

I've a new pair of clogs I brought home from the market, 
I craved an excuse to get in to the town. 
I told me old mother the seams they were ripped, 
And I needed some nails for to rivet them down. 
She clothed me hand with a bright bit of shillin’, 
She thought the remainder would be her own, 
Saying, "When you go to town you can buy the full nagan, 
But beware you bring none of your fancifuls home”. 

(Chorus) 

When crossin’ the fields of my brave Enniskillen, 
I went to an ale-house for to take a dram. 
I saw two tinkers dividing a saucepan, 
Although they were arguing about the ten can. 
One of them made a blow at the other one, 
He said you young villain, "I will take your life,” 
Saying, "your saucepans are leaking, and won't hold the water, 
Since 'ere the Bold Doherty spoke with your wife.” 

(Chorus) 

Oh, when I got home the door it was bolted, 
I rapped up my mother, for to let me in. 
"Be gone o’er the place,” were the words that she mentioned, 
"For inside this house you'll not enter in. 
You may go away for wherever you came from, 
For to keep you out I'm sure it's no sin,” 
Says I, "Me gay woman, you may keep your temper, 
For I’m goin’ to find lodgin’ with Nora McGlynn”. 

(Chorus 2x)

 

The Banks of Newfoundland
(Traditional)

You western ocean laborers, I'll have you all beware; 
When you're working on a packet-ship, no dungaree oil skins wear. 
But have a big monkey jacket all ready at your command, 
And we’ll bid farewell to the virgin rocks on the banks of the Newfoundland. 

Chorus:
We will rub around and scrub around, with holy stone and sand,
And we’ll bid farewell to the virgin rocks on the banks of the Newfoundland.

As I lay on my bunk one night a-dreaming all alone, 
I dreamt I was in Liverpool, way up by Marylebone, 
With my true love there beside of me, and a jug of ale in my hand, 
Ah, but I woke quite brokenhearted by the banks of Newfoundland. 

(Chorus) 

We had one female passenger, Bridget Riley was her name, 
She was fourteen years transported boys, for playing not the game. 
But she tore up her flannel petticoats, to make mittens for our hands, 
For she could not see the poor boys freeze on the banks of Newfoundland. 

(Chorus) 

And we're off Sandy Hook, me boys, and the land is all covered with snow. 
The tug-boat tack up our hawser, and for New York will we tow; 
And when we get to the Black Ball dock, all the boys and girls there will stand, 
For if we are here we cannot be there on the banks of Newfoundland. 

(Chorus 2x) 

 

Leaving of Liverpool
(Traditional)

Fare thee well to you, my own true love,
I am going far, far away.
I am bound for California,
But I know that I'll return some day.

Chorus:
So, fare thee well, my own true love,
For when I return, united we will be.
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me,
But me darlin’ when I think of thee.

Fare thee well, the Prince's Landing Stage,
River Mersey, fare thee well.
I am off to California,
A place I know right well.

(Chorus)

Farewell to lower Frederick Street,
Anson Terrace, and Park Lane.
Farewell, it will be a long, long time,
Before I’ll see you again.

(Chorus)

I have shipped a Yankee clipper ship,
Davy Crockett is her name,
And her captain's name is Burgess,
And they say that she's a floating hell.

(Chorus)

Oh, the sun is on the harbor, love,
And I wish I could remain,
For I know it will be a long, long time,
Before I see you again.

(Chorus 2x)

It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me,
But me darling when I think of thee. 

 

Slán Abhaile
(Music & Lyrics Mary Lynn Gottler)

Rainy Tuesday morning, coffee in my hand.
Making my way through the day, doin’ the best I can. 
Don’t it all just run together, like the colors of the rain,
‘Til I’m back out on that freeway, and I’m headin’ home again.

Chorus:
Tonight I’m missing Galway; I’m missing Dingle Town.
I’m missing Dublin City, and the pints passed all around. 
I’m missing Mighty Moher, in the middle of a gale,
And the warmth of an Irish fireside, and a craic’n Irish tale. 
It’s true I’m an American, and proud of that I am,
But my blood runs emerald green and, oh,
Tonight I’m missing, missing Ireland.

And as the snow falls down on Michigan, and winter settles in, 
I can hear that gentle fiddle, I can taste that Dingle Gin. 
And a sadness washes over me, and don’t it break my heart. 
If ever I get home again, I never will depart.

(Chorus)

One more day, one more pay, pennies in a jar. 
Make myself the best of plans, never get too far.
But if dreams were made of silver, and wishes golden store, 
You’d find my feet running down that rocky western shore.

(Chorus 2x)

 

Eppie Morrie
(Traditional)

Four and twenty Highland men came from the Carron side,
To steal away Eppie Morrie ‘cause she wouldn't be a bride, a bride,
Wouldn't be a bride.

Out it came her mother then, it was a moonlit night,
She couldn't see her daughter, for the moon it shone so bright, so bright,
The moon, it shone so bright.

They've taken Eppie Morrie, and a horse they've bound her on,
And they're away to Carron side, as fast as horse could gang, could gang,
Fast as horse could gang.

And Willie's taken his pistol out, and put it to the minister's breast,
Oh marry me, marry me, minister, or else I'll be your priest, your priest,
Else I'll be your priest.

Chorus:
Oh, haud away from me, Willie, haud away from me,
There's not a man in all Strathdon, wedded be by me, by me,
Wedded be by me.

Then mass was sung and bells were rung, and they're away to bed,
And Willie and Eppie Morrie oh, in one bed they were laid, were laid,
One bed they were laid.

He's taken the shirt from off his back, and kicked away his shoes,
And thrown away the chamber key, and naked he lay down, lay down,
Naked he lay down.

He kissed her on her lily breast, and held her shoulders twa,
But aye she gat, and aye she spat, and turned her to the wa', the wa’,
Turned her to the wa’.

They wrestled there all through the night, before the break of day,
But aye she gat, and aye she spat, and he could not stretch her spey,
Could not stretch her spey.

(Chorus)

Early in the morning, before the light of day,
In came the maid of Scallater, in gown and shirt alone, alone,
Gown and shirt alone.

Get up, get up, young woman, and take a drink by me,
You might have called me a maiden, I’m as whole as thee, as thee,
But I'm as whole as thee.

Then came young Beadalbane with a pistol on his side,
Oh come away, Eppie Morrie, and I'll make you my bride, my bride,
I’ll make you my bride.

Go and get me a horse, Willie, get it like a man,
And send me back to me mother, a maiden as I came, I came,
A maiden as I came.

(Chorus 2x)
Wedded be by me, by me,
Wedded be by me.

 

Rising of the Moon
(Traditional)

Oh, come tell me Sean O'Farrell, tell me why you hurry so?
Hush-a buachaill, hush and listen, and his cheeks were all a glow.
I bear orders from the captain, get you ready quick and soon,
For the pikes must be together, by the rising of the moon.

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
For the pikes must be together, by the rising of the moon. (2x)

And come tell me Sean O'Farrell, where the gatherin’ is to be?
At the old spot by the river quite well known to you and me.
One more word for signal token, whistle out a marching tune,
With your pike upon your shoulder, by the rising of the moon.

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
With your pike upon your shoulder, by the rising of the moon. (2x)

Out from many a mud walled cabin eyes were watching through the night,
Many a manly heart was beating for the blessed warning light.
Murmurs rang along the valleys, to the banshee’s lonely croon,
And a thousand pikes were flashing, by the rising of the moon.

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
And a thousand pikes were flashing, by the rising of the moon. (2x)

Oh, they fought for poor old Ireland, and full bitter was their fate.
Oh what glorious pride and sorrow fills the name of ’98.
Yet thank God their heart’s still beating, still in manhood's burning noon,
Who would follow in their footsteps, at the rising of the moon.

At the rising of the moon, at the rising of the moon,
Who would follow in their footsteps, at the rising of the moon. (2x)

All along that singing river that black mass of men was seen,
High above their shining weapons, flew their own beloved green,
Death to every foe and traitor! Whistle out a marching tune!
And hoorah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon!

Tis the rising of the moon, 'tis the rising of the moon,
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon. (2x)

And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon!

 

The Bard
(Music & Lyrics by Gracie & Luke Stearns)

When I was a lad, I longed to roam far from my land.
I charmed the very birds out of their nesting places,
And every lass in town was sure to know my face.
And my friends and family gathered ‘round me,
Smokin’ their pipes and drinking stout, mead, and ale. Mmmm…
And my father said, “Lad, you’ll be a bonny bard someday!
Ah yes, a bonny bard someday!”

I lived song by song, I traveled far and wide.
I shared stories from my home and slept ‘neath the starry, starry skies.
But now I’m dreaming of home, wanting to go back!
Oh, Ireland, she’s calling me, and I wait for the Emerald Angels to carry me home.
To carry me home… Oh…

Well money gets paid and deals get made,
And for the right amount of gold, they’ll take away your very soul!

So now I’m dreaming of home, wanting to go back.
Oh, Ireland, she’s calling me, and I wait for the Emerald Angels to carry me home.
To carry me home… Oh… Ooooo….

My sons and daughters, listen to what I say:
Don’t let them tempt you with their gold,
Don’t let them take you from your home.
Don’t let them take your Ireland away!
My sons and daughters, you’ll all be bonny bards someday.
Ah, yes, bonny bards someday! 

 

Mingulay
(Music & Lyrics by Sir Hugh S. Roberton, Copyright G. Schirmer, Inc.) 

Chorus: 
Heel y'ho boys, let her go boys, 
Heave her head ‘round, to the weather. 
Heel y'ho boys, let her go boys, 
Sailing homeward, to Mingulay! 

What care we though, white the Minch is? 
What care we for the wind and weather. 
When we know that every inch is, 
Closer homeward to Mingulay? 

(Chorus) 

Wives are waiting by the pier head, 
Gazing seaward from the heather. 
Heave her head ‘round, and we'll anchor, 
Ere the sun sets on Mingulay! 

(Chorus 2x) 

Sailing homeward, to Mingulay! 

 

Madam I’m a Darlin’
(Traditional)

As I went out t’rough Dublin city,
At the hour of twelve at night,
                     Who should I see but the fair young maiden,                      
Washing her clothes in the broad moonlight.

Chorus:
Madam, I’m a darlin’, a die-ro-dither-o,
Madam, I’m a darlin’, a die-ro-day. (2x)

First she washed them, then she squeezed them,
Then she hung them out to dry.
Then she folded up her arms,
Sayin’ “What a nice young man,” am I.

(Chorus)

Goin’ to the well to fetch a pail of water,
Fetching it home for to make some tea.
Well, she fell under, I fell over,
All the game was above the knee.

(Chorus)

Madam, I’ll tie up your garter,
I will tie it above your knee.
And if you like, I’ll tie it up further,
Madam, I’m a Darlin’, a die-ro-day.

(Chorus)

Blue it is a lovely color,
When it gets to second dip.
Well, that’s what you get when an old man’s courtin’,
You’re never gonna know when he’s gettin’ ill fit.

(Chorus)

Madam, you have gold and silver,
Madam, you have tracts of land.
Madam, you have ships on the ocean,
All you need is a fine young man.

(Chorus 3x)

 

Willie Taylor
(Traditional)

Willie Taylor and his youthful lover,
Full of mirth and loyalty,
They were going to the church to be married,
He was pressed and sent to sea.

Chorus:
Dolly dilly dum-a da-dee-da-day,
Dolly dilly dum da-dee-da-day. (2x)

She dressed herself up like a sailor,
On her breast she wore a star.
Her beautiful fingers long and slender,
She gave them all just a smear of tar.

(Chorus)

Now, on this ship there being a skirmish,
She being one amongst the rest,
A silver button flew off her jacket,
There appeared a snow-white breast.

(Chorus)

Says the captain to this fair maid,
"What misfortune took you here?"
"I'm in search of my true lover,
Whom you pressed on the other year.”

(Chorus)

"If you're in search of your true lover,
Pray, come tell to me his name.”
"Willie Taylor they do call him,
But Fitzgerald is his name.”

(Chorus)

"Let you get up tomorrow morning,
Early as the break of day,
There you'll spy your Willie Taylor,
Walkin’ along with his lady gay.”

(Chorus)

She got up the very next morning,
Early as the break of day.
There she spied her Willie Taylor,
Walkin’ along with his lady gay.

(Chorus)

She drew out a brace of pistols,
That she had at her command.
There she shot her Willie Taylor,
With his bride at his right hand.

(Chorus)

Dolly dilly dum-a da-dee-da-day,
          Dolly dilly dum da-dee-da-day.          
Dolly dilly dum, Dolly dilly dum, 
Dolly dilly dum da-dee-da-day.