Song Lyrics
KELLY
(Gordon Menzies)
I am a bold bush ranger, Ned Kelly is my name
My band is known and feared across the great Australian plain
From Adelaide to Darwin and from Perth to Port Brisbane
All along the Maury Darlin river up to North Queensland
I robbed the bloody bossman with my armour plated band
And the evening whispers, "Kelly" cross the great Australian sand
There's many a lousy trooper who would like to see me swing
But the bushman chant me praises out along by Alice Spring
And the roo will be my watchdog while the kookaburra sings
I am a bold bush ranger, Ned Kelly is my name
My band is known and feared across the great Australian plain
From Adelaide to Darwin and from Perth to Port Brisbane
But now me days are number and the law is on me tail
Fitzpatrick's bullets whistle round me head like driving hail
I know I must be taken to be hanged in Melbourne jail
KELVIN GROVE
Let us haste to Kelvin Grove, bonnie lassie, O
Thro' its mazes let us rove, bonnie lassie, O
Where the roses in their pride
Deck the bonnie dingle side
Where the midnight fairies glide, bonnie lassie, O.
Let us wander by the mill, bonnie lassie, O
To the cove beside the rill, bonnie lassie, O
Where the glens rebound the call
Of the roaring waters' fall
Thro' the mountains rocky hall, bonnie lassie, O.
Oh, Kelvin banks are fair, bonnie lassie, O
When the summer we are there, bonnie lassie, O
There the Maypink's crimson plume
Throws a soft but sweet perfume
Round the yellow banks o' broom, bonnie lassie, O.
Tho' I dare not call thee mine, bonnie lassie, O
As the smile of fortune's thine, bonnie lassie, O
Yet with fortune on my side
I could stay thy father's pride
And win thee for my bride, bonnie lassie, O.
But the frowns of fortune lour, bonnie lassie, O
On thy lover at this hour, bonnie lassie, O
Ere you golden orb of day
Wake the warblers on the spray
From this land I must away, bonnie lassie, O.
Then farewell ton Kelvin Grove, bonnie lassie, O
And adieu to all I love, bonnie lassie, O
To the river winding clear
To the fragrant scented brier
Even to thee of all most dear, bonnie lassie, O.
When upon a foreign shore, bonnie lassie, O
Should I fall midst battle's roar, bonnie lassie, O
Then, Helen, should'st thou hear
Of thy lover on his bier
To his memory shed a tear, bonnie lassie, O.
KELTY CLIPPIE
I have travelled o'er this country, from shore to shining shore
Frae the swamps o' Ochardarren tae the jungles o' Loch Ore
But in all these far flung places, there's nane that can compare
Wi' my lily o' Long Finnin, she's my bonny Maggie Blair
Chorus:
Oh she's just a Kelty Cilppie, she'll no take na advice
And it's ach! Drop died or we'll boil your heid and I'll punch your ticket twice
Her Father's just a waster, her Mother's on the gain
She's just a Kelty Cilppie and I love her just the same
Well I met her on the eight-fifteen that night o' romantic bliss
Says I, "Hey, Mag, put doon your fag and gi'e us a wee bit kiss."
Noo she didna tak' this kindly, she didna like my chaff
And being a contrary kind of lass, she said, "Come on, get off!"
Chorus
Frae the pyramids up at Kelty, tae the mansions of Glenn Craig
We've trod the banks together and many of life's travails
Seen the moonlight over Crosshill, trod Buckhiem's golden sands
And many a happy hoor we spent in Loch Gelly's happy land
Chorus
Now she has na got na culture, she drives me roond the bend
She sits at night in her old arm chair, reading the people's friend
Her lapel is full of badges, fray bodlens doon her ears
And she gangs tae the bingo every night with the curlers still in her hair
Chorus
Ah, but things are a wee bit better now, I've gone and I've got the ring
I won it frae Robin at the pitch and toss last night at the Lindsay Bing
Wi' her wee black bag and her ticket machine, she did my heart ensare
She's my lily o' Long Finnin, she's my bonny Maggie Blair
Chorus
KERRY RECRUIT
One mornin', I was diggin' the land with me brogues on me feet and me spade in me hand.
And says I to meself, "What a pity to see such a fine strappin' lad footin' turf round Tralee."
So I buttered me brogues, shook hands with me spade and went off to the fair like a dashing young blade.
And up comes the sergeant and he asks me to list?" "Arra, sergeant a-grah stick a bob in me fist".
Chorus:
With me toor in men ya, toor in men ya
With me toor in men, toor in men, toor in men ya
Then up came a captain, a man of great fame, who straight ways enquires me country and name;
Well, I told him before as I'd tell him again that me father and mother were two Kerrymen.
Well the first thing they gave me it was a red coat with a fine strap of leather to tie 'round me throat.
The next thing they gave me—I asked "What was that?" and they told me it was cockade for me hat!
The next thing they gave me they called it a horse with a saddle and bridle, me two legs across.
Well, I gave 'er the whip and I gave 'er the steel and, Oh Holy Mother! She went like an eel.
The next thing they gave me, they called it a gun, with powder and shot and a place for me thumb.
First she spat fire, and then she spat smoke and gave a great leap and me shoulder near broke.
The next place they took us was down to the sea, aboard of a war ship, bound for the Crimee,
Three sticks in the middle, all rolled round with sheet, she walked on the water without any feet.
When at Balaclava we landed quite sound, both cold, wet and hungry we lay on the ground.
Next morning for action the bugle did call, and we had a hot breakfast of powder and ball.
We fought at the Alma likewise Inkerman and the Russians wailed us at the Redan.
While scaling the wall there meself lost an eye and a big Russian bullet ran away with me thigh.
Was there we lay bleedin' streched on the cold ground, both heads, legs & arms were all scattered around.
I thought of me Ma and he clavens were nigh, sure they'd bury me decent and raise a loud cry
The doctor was called and he soon staunched me blood, and they gave me a fine elegant leg made of wood;
And they gave me a pension of tenpence a day And contented with Sheila I live on half-pay.
Now that was the story my grandfather told, As he sat by the fire all withered and old.
"Remember," said he, "that the Irish fight well, But the Russian artillery's hotter than Hell."
KILKELLY
(Peter Jones)
Kilkelly, Ireland, 1860, my dear and loving son John
Your good friend schoolmaster Pat McNamara's so good as to write these words down.
Your brothers have all got a fine work in England; the house is so empty and sad
The crop of potatoes is sorely infected, a third to a half of them bad.
And your sister Brigid and Patrick O'Donnell are going to be married in June.
Mother says not to work on the railroad and be sure to come on home soon.
Kilkelly, Ireland, 1870, my dear and loving son John
Hello to your missus and to your four children, may they grow healthy and strong.
Michael has got in a wee bit of trouble; I suppose that he never will learn.
Because of the darkness there's no turf to speak of and now we have nothing to burn.
And Brigid is happy, we named a child for her and now she's got six of her own.
You say you found work, but you don't say what kind or when you will be coming home.
Kilkelly, Ireland, 1880, dear Michael and John, my sons
I'm sorry to give you the very sad news that your dear old mother has gone.
We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly, your brothers and Brigid were there.
You don't have to worry, she died very quickly, remember her in your prayers.
And it's so good to hear that Michael's returning, with money he's sure to buy land
For the crop has been bad and the people are selling at every price that they can.
Kilkelly, Ireland, 1890, my dear and loving son John
I suppose that I must be close on eighty, it's thirty years since you've gone.
Because of all of the money you send me, I'm still living out on my own.
Michael has built himself a fine house and Brigid's daughters have grown.
Thank you for sending your family picture; they're lovely young women and men.
You say that you might even come for a visit, what joy to see you again.
Kilkelly, Ireland, 1892, my dear brother John
I'm sorry I didn't write sooner to tell you, but father passed on.
He was living with Brigid; she says he was cheerful and healthy right down to the end.
Ah, you should have seen him play with the grandchildren of Pat McNamara, your friend.
And we buried him alongside of mother, down at the Kilkelly churchyard.
He was a strong and a feisty old man, considering his life was so hard.
And it's funny the way he kept talking about you, he called for you in the end.
Oh, why don't you think about coming to visit, we'd all love to see you again.
KIMMAGE
There were three lovely lassie from Kimmage
From Kimmage, From Kimmage, From Kimmage
And when ever there was a bit of scrimmage
Sure I was the toughest of all
Sure I was the toughest of all
Well the cause of the row is Joe Cashin
Joe Cashin, Joe Cashin, Joe Cashin, Joe Cashin,
For he told me he thought I looked smashing
At a dance at St. Anthony's Hall
At a dance at St. Anthony's Hall
He told the thought we should marry
Should marry, Should marry, Should marry, Should marry,
He said it was foolish to tarry
So I lent him the price of a ring
So I lent him the price of a ring
When he gets a few jars he goes frantic
Goes frantic, Goes frantic, Goes frantic, Goes frantic
Cause he's tall and he's red and romantic
And I love him in spite of it all
I love him in spite of it all
We me Da said he'd give a present
A present, A present, A present, A present
A stool and a lousy stuffed pheasant
And a picture to hang on the wall
And a picture to hang on the wall
I went down the tenancy section
The section, The section, The section, The section
The T.D. just before the election
Said he'd get me a house near me ma
Said he'd get me a house near me ma
Well we're getting a house the man sad it
Man said it, Man said it, Man said it, Man said it
When I've five or six kids to me credit
In the meantime we'll live with me ma
In the meantime we'll live with me ma
THE KING OF BALLYHOOLEY
I'll tell yez how it was with me if to listen yez are willin'
'Twas in yon house behind yon hill where I had lately been distillin'
I slung a keg upon me back and started out for daylight cooly
Good customers I did not lack and I sold it all in Ballyhooley
I thought it wiser to delay me homeward way for fear of Peelers
And in that way I spent the day dinin' with the whiskey dealers
But as the shades of night came down and I had got me money duly
I bid goodnight to all was there and I started home from Ballyhooley
My heart was light with the Mountain Dew that I had brewed among the heather
And on me way I chanced to spy a lad and lassie walk together
Her neck was like the mountain snow with cheeks like roses blossomed newly
She'd a voice like music soft and low she was the flower of Ballyhooley
This young man quickly left her side he was afraid of me that he was
----it was in love with me that she was
Then quickly up beside her came says I fair maid I love you truly
And if your parents give consent will you be my bride in Ballyhooley
I have a house behind yon hill two fine greyhounds and a ferret
Besides I have a little still the drop it makes with you I'll share it
And I have got a feather bed with sheets and blankets purchased newly
Besides I have a ring to wed if you'll be mine in Ballyhooley
Her cherry cheeks they grew more red during the time that we were talkin'
And still she hung her little head and viewed the ground where we were walkin'
She says young man if you're content and if you say you love me truly
And if me parents give consent I'll be your bride in Ballyhooley
I asked her name she said it was Jane and that her second name was Cooley
And then I asked her when we'd wed she said the sooner wed the better
So I went and asked her parents glad if they were content to let me get her
They said they were they wished us luck we started out for Father Dooley
And at the hour of twelve o'clock he tied the knot in Ballyhooley
The Weddin' that we had that day the people comin' uninvited
The piper played for every squad Jane she sang and I recited
The poteen flowed like a waterfall that from the still had just come newly
And in that way we gaily spent our honeymoon in Ballyhooley
The Weddin' presents that got none of them was mean or shabby
And me Auntie Dot she bought some cloth to make the dresses for the baby
Invitations then went round to friends that we had just made newly
A lighter heart could not be found that mine that night in Ballyhooley
It's fifteen years now since we wed still in every way we're thrivin'
Me Jane she is a dandy yet though down the hill of life she's drivin'
The family has increased in store fifteen daughters all unruly
Bonny Jane she is me Queen and I'm the king of Ballyhooley.
KISHORN COMMANDOS
(Gordon Menzies)
Chorus:
We're the Kishorn Commandos way up in Wester Ross
We never had a gaffer; we've never had a boss
But, we'll build the biggest oil rig you've ever come across
Remember we're the Kishorn Commandos
Oh, every single morning we get wakened by a shout
Get up you idle buggers won't you get your fingers out
And what do get for breakfast, seven pints of stout
Remember we're the Kishorn Commandos
Digging down a dusty hole till we can hardly speak
Summer sunshine, rain or snow we seldom stop to sleep
We work for 40 hours a day, at fourteen days a week
Remember we're the Kishorn Commandos
We're the toughest gang of workers that you have ever met
We'll work and fight with anyone and you can lay a bet
There may be some men tougher, but we haven't found them yet
Remember we're the Kishorn Commandos
We never joined the navy; we'd never joined the RAF
We never joined the army, we're not so bloody daffed
We'd rather come to Kishorn and get paid for skiven aff
Remember we're the Kishorn Commandos
You're welcome here in Kishorn if you know how to work
We've Geordies here from Africa and Paddies from New York
We've Scowsers, Jocks and Taffies all from the County Cork
Remember we're the Kishorn Commandos
And when the job is over we'll up and pack our bags
We'll spend our money on the booze the women and the nags
But until then we'll have to do with Navvys dressed in drag
Remember we're the Kishorn Commandos
KISSING IN THE DARK
For lang I courted Jeannie, and wrought with might and main,
To get a puckle silver and a biggin' o' my ain;
Every night I gaed to see her, be it late or be it mirk;
And when she cam' to meet me, I would kiss her in the dark.
The dark, the dark, the dark, the dark, the dark;
And when she cam' to meet me, I would kiss her in the dark.
One night I gaed to see her, and my Jeannie bein' frae home,
I slippit tae the window, and rattled at the pane;
Oot cam' Jeannie's motherr, and the night it bein' sae dark,
I took her in my airms, and kissed her in the dark.
The dark, the dark, the dark, the dark, the dark;
I took her in my airms, and kissed her in the dark.
She ruggit and she tuggit, and she tried to run awa'
But I held her aye the closer, Ay, and gaed her another twa.
Then out she burst a-laughin' Says, "This is an awful wark,
Tae touzle an auld body, and tae kiss her in the dark."
The dark, the dark, the dark, the dark, the dark;
Tae touzle an auld body, and tae kiss her in the dark."
Then I made for runnin', But she held me sure and fast;
Says, "Ye needna be sae hurry, lad, the secret's out at last.
Jeannie's doon at Auntie's, and she'll get an awful start,
When I tell her how ye touzled me, and kissed me in the dark."
The dark, the dark, the dark, the dark, the dark;
When I tell her how ye touzled me, and kissed me in the dark."
I stopped wi' Jeannie's mother, till my Jeannie did come hame,
She tell't her a' the story, which I though an awful shame;
But noo I have gotten Jeannie, after a' the coortin' work;
And there's few that lands sae lucky with their kissin' in the dark.
The dark, the dark, the dark, the dark, the dark;
And there's few that lands sae lucky with their kissin' in the dark.
We hadna lang been married when Jeannie's mother aye grew ill;
She sent me for a lawyer, she was going to make her will.
She has left me all her silver, and made many a remark;
For I got the auld wife's blessin' for the kissin' in the dark.
The dark, the dark, the dark, the dark, the dark;
And there's few that lands sae lucky wi' their kissin' in the dark.
THE KNOCK SONG
(Christy Moore)
At the early age of thirty-eight me mother sent West
"Get up," sez she, "and get a job." Sez I, "I'll do me best."
I pulled on my Wellingtons to march Kiltimagh
But I took a wrong turn in Charlestown and ended up in Knock
Once this quiet crossroads was a place of gentle prayer
Where Catholics got indulgent once or twice a year
You could buy a pair of rosary beads or get your candles blessed
If you had a guilty conscience you could get it off your chest
Then came the priest from Patry, Father Horan was his name
And since he's been appointed Knock has never been the same
"Begod," sez Jem, " "tis eighty years since Mary was a doubt."
"Tis time for another miracle." He blew the candle out
Chorus:
From Fatima to Bethlehem from Lourdes to Kiltimagh
There's never been a miracle like the airport up in Knock
To establish terra firma he drew up a ten year plan
And started running dances around nineteen sixty-one
He built a fantabalous church, me girls, all on the holy ground
And once he had a focal point he started to expand
Chip shops and Bed and Breakfasts sprung up over night
Once a place for quiet retreats now a holy sight
All sorts of fancy restaurants for every race and creed
Where black and white and yellow pilgrims all could get a feed
The stalls once under canvas became religious supermarts
With such a range o' godly goods, they had up twenty charts
While the airport opposition was destroyed by James' trump card.
For centenary celebrations he got John Paul the twenty-third.
"We had the Blessed virgin here," Bold Jamesie did declare,
"And Pope John Paul the twenty-third appeared just over there."
"Now do you mean to tell me," he said in total shock,
"That I am not entitled to an airport here Knock."
TD's were lobby and harassed with talk of promised votes
And people who'd loyal for years now spoke of changing coats
Eternal damnation was threatened on the flock
Who said it was abortive building airports up in Knock
Now everyone is happy, the miracle is complete.
Father Horan's got his runway it's eighteen thousand feet
All sorts of planes could land there, of that there's little doubt
Handy for the Yankees to keep the Russians out
Did NATO donate the dough, me boys, did NATO donate the dough
Did NATO donate the dough, me girls, did NATO donate the dough
Did NATO donate the dough, the dough, did NATO donate the dough
Eighteen thousand feet of runway is a mighty long way to go, oh oh