Song Lyrics
LA-DEE-DA-DEE-DA
(Rikki Fulton)
On the seventeenth of March in La-dee-da-dee-da, a son was born to Mrs. Da-dee-dum
He'd arms, two legs, a mouth, and ears and eyes, and the usual la-dee-da-dee-dum
As he grew up he La-dee-da-dee-da, grew quicker than his other da-dee-dums
And when he was fifteen, everyone remarked, on his great big la-dee-da-dee-dum
He met a girl in La-dee-da-dee-da, she was pretty but a little da-dee-dum
But the reason that he her loved best was, she did na' mind his la-dee-da-dee-dum
Her mother was awfully La-dee-da-dee-da, her father was completely da-dee-dum
And they sat down to dinner of Salmon mayonnaise, and a bowl of la-dee-da-dee-dum
Now all went well till La-dee-da-dee-da, he went to take a bite of da-dee-dum
He coked the plate and the Salmon mayonnaise, fell upon his la-dee-da-dee-dum
Her mother cried loudly, "La-dee-da-dee-da", her father sort of mumbled, "Da-dee-dum"
And her mother said, "Dear, you must try to find a boy, with a smaller la-dee-da-dee-dum."
They married in the springtime of La-dee-da-dee-da, the honeymooned in lovely Da-dee-dum
But they found that they could na' get in the double bed, for his great big la-dee-da-dee-dum
So they decided La-dee-da-dee-da, to use to single beds for da-dee-dum
They slept together and they used the other one, just to rest his la-dee-da-dee-dum
On the nineteenth of March in La-dee-da-dee-da, he took ill with an attack of da-dee-dum
They wrapped him up in bandages that ended with a bow, round his la-dee-da-dee-dum
He died on the morning of La-dee-da-dee-da, a victim of the dreaded da-dee-dum
They put him in the coffin, but they could na' shut the lid, for his great big la-dee-da-dee-dum
So the undertaker La-dee-da-dee-da, Decided on a plan for da-dee-dum
He built a special coffin roughly three feet, two by one, just to take his la-dee-da-dee-dum
Now you can read on his tombstone, La-dee-da-dee-da, The son of La-dee-da-dee-dum
Here lies his body and in the next grave up, but one, lies his La-dee-da-dee-da-dee-da-dee-dum
THE LAMMAS TIDE
(Traditional; Arr. Roy Williamson)
It fell aboot the Lama's tide when muirmen whin their hay
The doughty Douglas bound him ride in tae England tae drive a prey
He chose the Gordons and the Grahams the Lindsay's light and gay
But the Jardines wad' not wi' him ride and they rue it to this day
Now they burned all the dales o' Tyne and part o' Bambershire
Three tall towers on Reedswire fells they left him all on fire
They marched up tae New Castle and laid it roond aboot Sayin'
"Wha's the Lord o' this castle and wha's the Lady oot?"
Then up bespake proud Percy there and oh but he spake high
"I am the Laird o' this castle my wife's the lady gay"
"If thou art the Laird o' this castle sae weel it pleases me
For ere I cross the border fells then ane o' us shall dee"
He took a lang spear in his hand shod wi' a metal free
For tae meet the Douglas there he rade right furiously
But oh how pale his lady looked frae off the castle wall
When down before the Scottish spear she saw proud Percy fall
LANCASHIRE LADS
Oh it was last Monday morning as I have heard them say
Our orders came that afternoon (Or alternatively, from Manchester), we were to march away
Leaving many pretty fair maids to cry what shall we do
For the Lancashire lads have gone away, whatever shall we do
Chorus:
Oh the Lancashire lads have gone abroad, whatever shall we do
Leaving many a pretty maid to cry what shall I do
Said the mother to her daughter, What makes you talk so strange
For you to be a soldier's wife, the wide world for to range
For soldiers they are rambling boys and get but little pay
And how can they maintain a wife on fourteen pence a day?
Said the mother to her daughter, I'll have you close confined
You'll never marry a Lancashire Lad, he'll be no son of mine
Should you confine me seven long years and after set me free
I'll search for my Lancashire Lad when I've gained my liberty
My love is clothed in scarlet and turn-ed up with blue
And in every town that he goes through, to his sweetheart he'll be true
Oh we'll have money enough, brave boys, and girls to please our mind
But we'll never forget sweet Manchester (or Wigan, or wherever) and the girls we left behind
LANNIGAN'S BALL
In the town of Athy one Jeremy Lannigan, Battered away 'til he hadn't a pound
His father he died and made him a man again, Left him a farm and ten acres of ground
He gave a grand party to friends and relations Who didn't forget him when come to the wall
And if you but listen I'll make your eyes glisten At rows and ructions at Lannigan's Ball
Myself to be sure, got free invitation For all the nice boys and girls that I ask
In less than a minute the friends and relations Were dancing as merry as bees round a cask
There were lashing of punch and wine for the ladies Potatoes and cake, bacon and tea
There were the Nolan, Dolans, O'Grady's Courting the girls and dancing away
They were doing all kinds of nonsensical polkas All around in a whirligig
Julia and I soon banished their nonsense Out on the floor for a reel and jig
How the girls all got mad at me Danced till they thought the ceilings would fall
I spent six months in Brooks Academy Learning to dance for Lannigan's Ball
Chorus:
Six long months I spent in Dublin, six long months doing nothing at all
Six long months I spent in Dublin learning to dance for Lannigan's Ball
She stepped out, I stepped in again, I stepped out and she stepped in again
She stepped out, I stepped in again to dance for Lannigan's Ball
The boys were merry the girls all hearty Dancin' around in couples and groups
An accident happened; Terence McCarthy Put his right boot through Miss Finnerty's hoops
The creature she fainted and cried, "Milia murder." Called for her brothers and gathered they all
Carmody swore he'd go no further Till he got revenge at Lannigan's Ball
Chorus:
Six long months I spent in Dublin, six long months doing nothing at all
Six long months I spent in Dublin learning to dance for Lannigan's Ball
She stepped out, I stepped in again, I stepped out and she stepped in again
She stepped out, I stepped in again to dance for Lannigan's Ball
Boys oh boys 'tis then there was ructions I got a kick from young Phelim McHugh
I soon replied to his fine introduction Kicked him a terrible hullabaloo
Casey the piper was near gettin' strangled The leapt on his pipes, bellows, chanter and all
Boys and girls all got entangled And the put an end to Lannigan's Ball
Chorus:
Six long months I spent in Dublin, six long months doing nothing at all
Six long months I spent in Dublin learning to dance for Lannigan's Ball
She stepped out, I stepped in again, I stepped out and she stepped in again
She stepped out, I stepped in again to dance for Lannigan's Ball
THE LARK IN THE MORNING
Chorus:
The lark in the morning she rises off her nest
She goes home in the evening with the dew all on her breast
And like the jolly plough boy she whistles and she sings
She goes home in the evening with the dew all on her wing
Oh Roger the plough boy he is a dashing blade
He goes whistling and singing over yonder green blade
He met with pretty Susan she's handsome I declare
She far more enticing than the birds all in the air
Chorus
One evening coming home from the rakes of the town
The meadow being all green and the grass it being pulled down
If I should chance to tumble all in the new mown hay
And it's kiss me now or never love this bonnie lass did say
Chorus
When twenty long weeks they were over and were past
Her mammy chanced to notice how she thickened round the waist
It was the handsome plough boy the maiden she did say
For he caused me for to tumble all in the new mown hay
Chorus
Here's a health to yon plough boys where ever you may be
That likes to have a bonnie lass a sitting on his knee
With a jug of good strong porter he'll whistle and he'll sing
For a plough boy is as happy as a prince or a king
Chorus
Chorus
THE LAST LEVIATHAN
(Andy Barnes)
My soul had been torn from me
And I am bleeding
My heart it has been rent
And I am crying
All beauty around me fades (for the beauty around me pales)
And I am screaming
I am the last of the great whales
And I am dying
Last night I heard the cry
Of my last companion
The roar of the (A blast from a) harpoon gun
And I was alone
I reflect on the days gone by (I reflected on days gone by)
When we were thousands
And (but) I know I soon shall die
The last leviathan
This morning the sun arose (did rise)
Crimson in the sky
The ice was the color of blood
And the wind it did sigh
I rose up to take a breath
It was my last one
From the burn (from a gun) came the roar of death
And I am undone
Now that we're all gone
And there's (there'll be) no more hunting
The big fellow is no more
There's no use lamenting
Which (what) race will be next in line
All for the slaughter
The elephant or the seal
Or your sons and daughters?
LEAVE US OUR GLENS
I love Scotland's glens, and whatever else we lose,
Please leave us our glens, our glorious glens,
Our mountains are grand, Ben Lomond, Ben Navis too,
You can have all these bens, but leave us our glens
Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glendronach, Glen Grant,
Can you do without them, if you must know I can't
With a drop of Glen Spey or Glendrottar,
It's a perfectly bearable way to drink water.
I'd willingly lose, our culture or most of it,
Including that mess, called "Full Highland Dress",
With the full ethnic bit, with Haggis and Hogmanay,
I'd gladly dispense, but leave us our glens.
Glenfarclas, Glenlochy, Glengarioch, Glenfaul,
I once knew a man who had sampled them all,
Glenaugie, Glenkinchie, Glenisla, that's plenty,
He looked sixty-five, but in fact he was twenty.
Take our Higland schottische, our marches, strathspeys and reels,
Take our old Scottish waltz, but leave us our malts,
Remove if you will, our ladie's conveniences,
And our gentlemen's, but leave us our glens.
Glenturret, Glen Scotia and last week Glen Fyne
Was rare at Communion when they ran out of wine
Glenglassough, Glenlossie, Glendullan, Glenmorangie
I prefer them to Cointreau, which I find too orangie.
Oh breathes there a Scot, who's views on priorities,
When laid on the line, are different from mine,
Take our jobs take our homes; take anything else you will,
Wife family and friends, but leave us our glens
Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glendronach, Glen Grant,
Can you do without them, if you must know I can't
With a drop of Glen Spey or Glendrottar,
It's a perfectly bearable way to drink water.
THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL
Farewell the Princes' landing stage, River Mersey fare thee well
I am bound for California, a place I know right well
Chorus:
So fare thee well my own true love
When I return united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee
I have shipped on a Yankee sailing ship, Davy Crockett is her name
And Burgess is the Captain of her and they say that she's a floating shame
Chorus
I have sailed with Burgess once before, I think I know him right well
If a man is a sailor he can get along, if not then he's sure in Hell
Chorus
I am bound for California, by way of stormy Cape Horn
And I will write to thee a letter, my love, when I am homeward bound
Chorus
Farewell to lower Frederick Street, Anson Terrace and Park Lane
I am bound away for to leave you, and I'll never see you again
Chorus
Chorus
LEAVING OF NANCY
(Eric Bogle)
In comes the train and the whole platform shakes,
Then it stops with a shudder and a screaming of brakes.
The parting has come and my weary soul aches, I'm leaving my Nancy-o.
But you stand there so calmly determinedly gay
And you talk of the weather and events of the day
But your eyes tell me all that your tongue doesn't say, Farewell my Nancy-o.
Chorus:
So come a little closer, put your head upon my shoulder
Let me hold you one last time before the whistle blows.
My suitcase is lifted and stowed on the train
A thousand regrets whirl around in my brain,
The ache in my heart is a black sea of pain, I'm leaving my Nancy-o.
And you stand there beside me so lovely to see
But the grip of your hand is an unspoken plea
You're not fooling yourself and you're not fooling me, Goodbye my Nancy-o.
Chorus:
So come a little closer, put your head upon my shoulder
Let me hold you one last time before the whistle blows.
Our time has run out and tile whistle has blown,
So here I must leave you standing alone.
We had so little time and now the time's gone, Farewell my Nancy-o.
And as the train starts gently to roll,
And as I lean out to wave and to call,
I see the first tears trickle and fall, Goodbye my Nancy-o.
Chorus:
So come a little closer, put your head upon my shoulder
Let me hold you one last time before the whistle blows.
So come a little closer, put your head upon my shoulder
Let me hold you one last time before the whistle blows.
LEAVING TIPPERARY
The ship it sails in half an hour to cross the broad Atlantic
Me friends are standing on the Quay, in grief and sorrow frantic
I'm just about to sail away on the good ship Dan O'Leary
The anchor's weighed, the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary
Chorus:
Good-bye Mick, and good-bye Pat, and good-bye Kate and Mary
The anchor's weighed, the gangway's up, I'm leaving Tipperary
Now the steamer's blazin' up, I can no longer stay
I'm bound for the New York City, boys, three thousand miles away
In my portmanteau here I have cabbage, spuds and bacon
If you don't think I'm watchin' that, in truth you are mistaken
If the ship should start to pitch and tossed, for a half a dozen farthings
I'll roll me bundle on me back and walk to Castle Gardens
Chorus
Give my respects to Mrs. Mac, as well to Mrs. Hagen
And I'll attend the christening when she marries Patsy Fagan
I'm deep in love with Molly Burke as a jack ass is in clover
And when I'm set I'll write you back and pay your passage over
Chorus
Then fare thee well old Erin dear, to depart my heart does ache well
From Carrickfergus to Cape Clare, I'll never see your equal
Although to foreign parts we're bound where cannibals may eat us
I'll ne'er forget the holy ground, the poteen and potatoes
Chorus
LEIS A LURIGHAN
Chorus:
Leis a lurighan o'he
Leis a lurighan o'ho
In the grey dark of evening
O'er the waves let us go
On the ocean o'he waves in motion o'ho
Not but clouds could we see on the blue sea below
Islay looming o'he in the gloaming o'ho
Our ship's compass set we and our lights we did show
Aros passing o'he was harassing o'ho
The proud billows to see high as masthead to flow
Captain hollers o'he to his fellows o'ho
Those that courage would flee let them go down below
In the tempest o'he waves were crashing o'ho
And the cry of the sea as the cold winds did blow
Captain hollers o'he to his fellows o'ho
Those that won't stand with me let them go down below
LET RAMENSKY GO
(Roddy McMillan)
Alley-ee alley-ay alley-oo alley-oh
Open up your prison gates
And let Ramensky go
There was a lad in Glesga town, Ramensky was his name
Johnny didnae know it then but he was set for fame
Now Johnny was a gentle lad, there was only one thing wrong
He had an itch to strike a twitch and trouble came along
He did a wee bit job or two, he blew them open wide
But they caught him and they tried him and they bunged him right inside
And when they let him out he said he'd do his best but then
He yielded tae temptation and they bunged him in again
Now Johnny made the headlines, entertained the boys below
When he climbed up tae the prison roof and gave a one-man show
But when the war was raging the brass-hats had a plan
Tae purloin some information, but they couldnae find a man
So they nobbled John in prison, asked if he would take a chance
Then they dropped him in a parachute beyond the coast of France
Then Johnny was a hero, they shook him by the hand
For stealing secret documents frae the German High Command
So Johnny was rewarded for the job he did sae well
They granted him a pardon frae the prison and the cell
But Johnny was in error when he tried his hand once more
For they caught him at a blastin', and it wasnae worth the score
The jury pled for mercy, but the judge's voice was heard
Ten years without remission, and that's my final word
Ten years, my lord, that's far too long, wee Johnny cried in vain
For if you send me up for ten I'll never come out again
Oh give me another chance, my lord, I'm tellin' you no lie
But if you send me up for ten I'll sicken and I'll die
Now Peterhead's a fortress, its walls are thick and stout
But it couldnae hold wee Johnny when he felt like walking out
Five times he took a powder, he left them in a fix
And every day they sweat and pray in case he makes it six