Song Lyrics
MacPHERSON'S FAREWELL
Fareweel, ye dungeons dark and strong, Fareweel, Fareweel tae thee.
MacPherson's time will nae be lang on yonder gallows tree.
Sae rantin'ly, sae wantonly sae dauntin'ly gaed he
He played a tune and danced it roon' ablow the gallows tree.
’Twas by a woman's treacherous hand that I was condemned to dee.
Below a ledge at a window she stood and a blanket she threw o'er me.
Sae rantin'ly, sae wantonly sae dauntin'ly gaed he
He played a tune and danced it roon' ablow the gallows tree.
The Laird o' Grant, that hieland sant that first laid hands on me,
He played the cause on Peter Broon tae let MacPherson free.
Sae rantin'ly, sae wantonly sae dauntin'ly gaed he
He played a tune and danced it roon' ablow the gallows tree.
Untie these bands frae off my hands and gie to me my sword.
There's no' a man in all Scotland, but I'll brave him at a word.
Sae rantin'ly, sae wantonly sae dauntin'ly gaed he
He played a tune and danced it roon' ablow the gallows tree.
There's some come here tae see me hanged and some to buy my fiddle.
But before I do part wi' her I'll brak her thro' the middle.
Sae rantin'ly, sae wantonly sae dauntin'ly gaed he
He played a tune and danced it roon' ablow the gallows tree.
He took the fiddle in both of his hands and he broke it o'er a stone.
Says,"There's nae ither hand shall play on thee when I am dead and gone."
Sae rantin'ly, sae wantonly sae dauntin'ly gaed he
He played a tune and danced it roon' ablow the gallows tree.
O little did my mother think when first she cradled me,
That I would turn a rovin' boy and die on the gallows tree.
Sae rantin'ly, sae wantonly sae dauntin'ly gaed he
He played a tune and danced it roon' ablow the gallows tree.
The reprieve was comin' o'er the brig o' Banf tae let MacPherson free,
But they pit the clock a quarter before and hanged him tae the tree.
Sae rantin'ly, sae wantonly sae dauntin'ly gaed he
He played a tune and danced it roon' ablow the gallows tree.
MacPHERSON'S LAMENT [2]
My father was a gentleman, of fame and honor high,
Oh mother, would you ne'er had borne the son so doom'd to die.
Chorus:
Sae rantingly, sae wantonly, sae dauntingly gaed he;
He play'd a sprig, and danc'd it round ablow the gallows-tree.
I've spent my life in rioting, debauch'd my health and strength,
I squander'd fast, as pillage came, and fell to shame at length.
Chorus
Farewell, yon dungeons dark and strong, the wretch's destinie!
M'Pherson's time will not be long on yonder gallows-tree.
Chorus
O what is breath but parting breath? On many a bloody plain
I've dar'd his face, and in this place I'll scorn him yet again.
Chorus
But vengeance I never did wreak, when pow'r was in my hand,
And you, dear friends, no vengeance seek, it is my last command.
Chorus
Forgive the man whose rage betray'd MacPherson's worthless life;
When I am gone, be it not said, my legacy was strife.
Chorus
He took his fiddle in both his hands and he broke it all a stone,
Saying there's nae a han' shall ply on thee when I am dead and gone.
Chorus
Now farewell light, thou sunshine bright, and all beneath the sky!
May coward shame disdain his name, the wretch that dares not die!
Chorus
O reprieve was coming o the Brig o' Banf for tae set MacPherson free,
For they set the clock a quarter before and they hanged him from a tree.
Chorus
THE MAD LADY AND ME
(Jimmy McCarthy)
Among the walls and ruins of the horrid civic stone
I walked without a lover for my older bones
The sun was strong in going down It was a dreamlike day
It was there we met the trinity and there I heard them saying
And she said, "bye bye Mama Goodbye brother John"
"Fare thee well ye Shandon bells ring on, ring on"
She leaned and leaned much closer and she hugs them all goodbye
Her mother cried "don't go my love" we all must bye and bye
A drunken tongue said "leave her off" she'll drive us all crazy
She turned around and saw my face and both of us was she
And she said, "bye bye Mama Goodbye brother John"
"Fare thee well ye Shandon bells ring on, ring on"
Up and to the limestone wall and down the level steps
She threw herself into the stream with a splash and no regrets
Side stroke swimming midstream throwing kisses to the crowd
And everything was silent and the sky had not one cloud
And she said, "bye bye Mama Goodbye brother John"
"Fare thee well ye Shandon bells ring on, ring on"
We were swimming out in the sunset, we were swimming out to sea,
Swimming down by the Opera House The Mad Lady and me.
MAGGIE MAE
(Irish Rovers' version)
Chorus:
Oh, Maggie, Maggie Mae, they have taken you away
And you'll never walk down Lang Street anymore
You robbed so many sailors, and the captains of the whalers
You're a dirty, rotten, no good, Maggie Mae
Gather round ye sailor boys and listen to my plea
When you hear tale I know you'll pity me
For I was a bloody fool, in the port of Liverpool
The first time that I came home from the sea
Chorus
I never will forget, the night when first we met
I was walking down along old Kenning Place
When a figure so divine, like a frigate on the line
The kind of girl a sailor likes to chase
Chorus
Well, I woke up in my bed, with a thundering in my head
All my clothes and my money stole away
And as I walked along the street, all the ladies I did meet
Said, "You'll find them down in pawn shop number nine."
Chorus
Chorus
MAGGIE LAUDER
Wha' wad'na be in love wi' bonnie Maggie Lauder
A piper met her goin' tae Fife and askit what they ca'd her
Right scornfully she answered him B'gone ye heilan' shacker
Jog on yer gait ye bleth'rin' skate my name is Maggie Lauder
Chorus:
Up the stairs, doon the stairs, I play my chanter rarely
The mair ye hug and kiss the girls the mair they'll want to marry
Oh Meg, says he, and by my bags, I'm fidgin' fain tae see ye
Sit doon by me my bonnie bird, in troth I wadnae steer ye
For I'm a piper tae my trade my name is Rob the Ranter
The lasses loup as they were daft, when I blaw on my chanter
Chorus
Ah weel, says Meg, ha'e you yer bags, and is yer drone in order
If ye be Rob, I've heard o' you, do you live on the Border?
The lasses a' baith far and near have heard o' Rob the Ranter
I'll shake my fir wi' richt guid will, gin you'll blaw up yer chanter
Chorus
Then tae his bags he flew wi' speed, aboot the drone he twisted
Meg up and walloped o'er the green, for brawly could she frisk it
Weel done, says he, Play up, says she. Well bobb'd says Rob the Ranter
It's worth my while tae play indeed, when I hae sic' a dancer
Chorus
Weel hae ye played yer part, says Meg. Your cheeks are like the crimson'
There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel, since we lost Habbie Simpson
I've lived in Fife baith maid and wife these ten years and a quarter
The next time your at Anster Fair, just ask for Maggie Lauder
Chorus
MAGGIE MAY
Now you jolly sailor lads, come listen to my tale,
I'm sure you will have cause to pity me,
I was a damned young fool in the port of Liverpool,
When I called there on my first port home from sea.
Chorus:
Oh Maggie, Maggie May
They have taken her away
To slave upon Van Dieman's cruel shore.
Oh, you robbed so many whalers, and dosed so many sailors
But you'll never cruise 'round Peter Street no more.
I was staying at the Home, from a voyage to Sierre Leone,
And two-pound-ten a month was all my pay,
As I jingled with my tin, I was easy taken in,
By a little girl up there called Maggie May.
Oh, I'll never forget the day when I first met Maggie May,
She was standing on a corner at Canning Place,
In a full-sized crin-o-line, like a frigate of the line,
And as she saw I was a sailor I gave chase.
She gave me a saucy nod, and I, like a farmer's clod,
Let her take me line abreast in tow,
And under all plain sail, we ran before the gale
And to the Crow's Nest Tavern we did go
Next morning when I woke, I found that I was broke,
No shoes or shirt or trousers could I find,
When I asked her where they were, she answers "My dear sir,
They're down in Lewis' pawnshop number nine."
So to Lewis' I did go, but no clothing could I find,
And the policeman took that wicked girl away,
And the judge he guilty found her, of robbing a homeward-bounder,
And now she's doing time in Botany Bay.
She was chained and sent away from Liverpool one day,
The lads all cheered as she sailed down the bay,
And every sailor lad, he only was too glad
They'd sent out that old whore to Botany Bay.
MAID OF AMSTERDAM
In Amsterdam there lived a maid—Mark well what I do say!
In Amsterdam there lives a maid, and this fair maid my trust betrayed.
Chorus:
I'll go no more a rovin, with you fair maid.
A roving, A roving, since roving's been my ru-i-in,
I'll go no more a roving, with you fair maid.
Her eyes are like two stars so bright—Mark well what I do say!
Her eyes are like two stars so bright, her face is fair, her step is light.
Chorus
I asked this fair maid to take a walk, Mark well what I do say!
I asked this maid out for a walk that we might have some private talk.
Chorus
Then I took this fair maid's lily-white hand, Mark well what I do say!
I took this fair maid's lily-white hand in mine as we walked along the strand.
Chorus
Then I put my arm around her waist—Mark well what I do say!
For I put my arm around her waist and from her lips snatched a kiss in haste!
Chorus
Then a great big Dutchman rammed my bow—Mark well what I do say!
For a great big Dutchman rammed my bow, and said, "Young man, dis bin mein vrow!"
Chorus
Then take warning boys, from me, Mark well what I do say!
So take a warning, boys, from me, with other men's wives don't make too free.
Chorus
For if you do you will surely rue—Mark well what I do say!
For if you do you will surely rue your act, and find my words come true.
Chorus
THE MAID OF CABRA WEST
I fell in love with a sweet fair maid that in Cabra West did reside
Me, I lived in Donnybrook Tower, a one and a f'penny ride
But there was a fly in the ointment you very seldom see
For though I loved her terrible well, she was in love with this Portuguese
Now he was a nasty piece of good, Gonzalez was his name
He was bound to get his hands around, Concepta that's the dame
So I swore one night be the Grand Canal that I would do him in
For I never liked them Portuguese, and in particular I didn't like him
So I follied him up Grafton Street one evening just for fun
Round by the Mercer's Hospital next door to the Barkley-Dunne
I spied them in the corner seat, they were kissing holding hands
And there he was seducing her with pints and baby shands
So I follied him to his lodging house in Rathgar or there about
And when he went up alley way I done him inside out
He let out manys an oath and swear till he was dead, I'm sure
So I lifted up a man hole lid and I dropped him in the sewer
Now when me mot she heard of this, she made my life a hell
And so for the sake of piece and quiet, I done her in as well
That's why I'm up before the Judge, confessing to my crime
Says he I didn't mind the first one son, but not the second time
So tis for the love of a pretty fair maid and her Portuguese sailor boy
Tis for the love of a beauteous maid that I'm up here in Mount Joy
And if I ever get out again, my ways I'll change you'll see
I'll marry a Ballyfermot girl that wouldn't go out with a Portuguese
MALONEY WANTS A DRINK
(Dominic Behan)
When Eve was in the garden Adam climbed an apple tree
He went aloft up to the top to see what he could see
He gazed in awe for what he saw, "Fair maid," the poor man grieved
Ah, Patrick John Maloney stood there whispering to Eve
Chorus:
Kiss me love and miss me love and dry your bitter tears
My loving you'll remember for many, many years
Be happy love, be satisfied I left you in the pink
There's many a man may want a bride, Maloney wants a drink
Salome danced for Paddy, takin' off her seven veils
Salome says, "Maloney, that's a trick that never fails"
Maloney put Salome's clothing in a sack
"I'll run along down to the pawn and bring a bottle back."
Chorus:
Kiss me love and miss me love and dry your bitter tears
My loving you'll remember for many, many years
Be happy love, be satisfied I left you in the pink
There's many a man may want a bride, Maloney wants a drink
From London to Nebraska and from Glasgow to Hong Kong
From Cardiff to Alaska and from Peking to Saigon
Whenever the girls are lonely I know that in his role
It's there you'll find Maloney, a waitin' to console
Chorus:
Kiss me love and miss me love and dry your bitter tears
My loving you'll remember for many, many years
Be happy love, be satisfied I left you in the pink
There's many a man may want a bride, Maloney wants a drink
A MAN OF OUR TIMES
I remember the day DeValera he died
My father he just broke down and he cried
He wept like a baby for Dev was his pride
But I had no fears and I shed no tears
For the man of our times
Now Dev was a hero at Easter Sixteen
He held Bolin's Mills for the Orange and Green
He was sentenced to die with Pearse and McBride
But his birth far away let him fight another day
Lucky man of our times
Chorus:
He was loved he was hated, cherished, despised
There were rivers of tears when the Chieftain he died
But love him or hate him I cannot decide
What to make about Dev, this man of our times
When I was at school Christian Brothers were cruel
We lived off the land to be scarce was the rule
And we fled in our droves to the immigrant shore
We weren't free yet and we questioned respect
For the man of our times
Chorus
My parents were poor and the cupboard was bare
You can't feed a child on a wing and a prayer
But the boys in Dia le hEireann got rich as we cried
They were led by the chief and we got no relief
For the man of our times
Chorus
Now Spain had his Franco and France his DeGualle
We had our Dev and God rest his soul
And history will judge this man from Brooree
DeValera's lost dream, a nation unfree
It's the shame of our time
Chorus
Chorus
MAN UNITED MAN
I'm Man United man
I got the posters on the wall I've got the pennant and the ball
I've got the stickers all over me van
We put the fear of God in teams in the theatre full of dreams
With the roar from the Strettford end
Chorus:
Come on ye Reds Come on ye Reds, we're the best team in the land
Sir Matt Busby is me dog and Vestie is me cat
I'm their all time greatest fan, I'm a Man United man
I'm at their merchandising mercy I've got every single jersey
Of the red one I've got two,
I've got the grey I've got the black I've got Itsie on my back
The green and yellow and blue
Chorus
Ah come on ye boys in green Dennis Erwin and Roy Keane your
The boys that do us proud
On Ford Escort super Sunday or the Skysports' match on Monday
In the local I'll be shouting loud
Chorus
Ah come on ye A.V.U.'s you love to see us lose
Ce lave, Ce Sarah sarah
Got our Continental jester for the land of nuclear testers
I Say ooh ahh Ca-ta-naw, ooh ahh Ca-ta-naw
Chorus
One Man United, there's only one man United
One man United, there's only one man United
Refrain:
I'm a Man United man
I'm a Man United often slighted, red and whited Man United man
MANCHESTER RAMBLER
(Ewan McColl)
I've been over Snowdon, I've slept upon Crowdon
I've camped by the Waynestones as well
I've sunbathed on Kinder, been burned to a cinder
And many more things I can tell
My rucksack has oft been me pillow
The heather has oft been me bed
And sooner than part from the mountains
I think I would rather be dead
Chorus:
I'm a rambler; I'm a rambler from Manchester way
I get all me pleasure the hard Moor land way
I may be a wage-slave on Monday
But I am a free man on Sunday
I once loved a maid, a spot welder by trade
She was fair as the Rowan in bloom
And the bloom of her eye matched the blue Moorland sky
I wooed her from April to June
On the day that we should have been married
I went for a ramble instead
For sooner than part from the mountains
I think I would rather be dead
Chorus
So I'll walk where I will over mountain and hill
And I'll lie where the bracken is deep
I belong to the mountains, the clear running fountains
Where the grey rocks lie ragged and steep
I've seen the white hare in the gullies
And the curlew fly high overhead
And sooner than part from the mountains
I think I would rather be dead.
Chorus
MANDELA DANCED
(Ian Davison)
We'd sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I'll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.
When Nelson came to Glagow, after all his pain,
Ten thousand people met him, and listened in the rain.
The big umbrellas folded, and many heads were bare.
But every face was shining, when Mandela danced in the square.
We'd sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I'll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.
When Nelson talked of duty, you could feel us hold our breath,
We were just a bit uneasy, when Nelson talked of death,
And when he talked of trouble, there was tension in the air,
But we faced the future smiling, when Mandela danced in the square.
We'd sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I'll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.
When Nelson came to meet us, we made our feelings clear.
We heard the songs and speeches, and we clapped and stamped and cheered.
We heard of peace, and justice, and the freedom that we share,
But we shook the City Chambers, when Mandela danced in the square.
We'd sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I'll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.
Well, Nelson came to Glasgow, to show us he was free,
The greatest man in Africa, and gave us his decrees,
A giant with a suit and tie, and sober face and hair,
But the welcome seemed to move him and Mandela danced in the square.
We'd sung about him for years,
And there were speeches everywhere.
But I'll never forget the cheers,
When Mandela danced in the square.
MARI'S WEDDING
Chorus:
Step we gaily, on we go heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row all for Mari's wedding
Over hill ways up and down
Myrtle green and Bracken brown
Pass the shilling through the town
All for the sake of Mari
Chorus:
Step we gaily, on we go heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row all for Mari's wedding
Plenty herring, plenty meal
Plenty fish to fill the creel
Plenty bonny bairns as weel
That's the toast of Mair
Chorus:
Step we gaily, on we go heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row all for Mari's wedding
Cheeks are bright as rowans are
Brighter far than any star
Fairest of them all by far
Is my darling Mari
Chorus:
Step we gaily, on we go heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row all for Mari's wedding
Over hill ways up and down
Myrtle green and Bracken brown
Pass the shilling through the town
All for the sake of Mari
MARILYN MONROE
(Sydney Carter/Rory McEwen)
To Hollywood, to Hollywood, to Hollywood I'll go
And you will know me by the name of Marilyn Monroe
For soldiers and for sailors, I'll glitter and I'll glow
They'll wish that they could have a girl like Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
I'll light a candle in the sky, where ever I may be
For those who have to walk alone and fear the dark like me
And all those lonely women, their names I'll never know
I'll glitter in the dark for them, said Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
Abe Lincoln is my hero, said Marilyn Monroe
And Arthur Miller's more like him than anyone I know
Don't marry Arthur Miller, they say that he's a Red
They say he's Un-American, I'll marry him she said
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
Good-bye to Arthur Miller, alone again I go
God help the man who marries me, said Marilyn Monroe
It's up and down forever, my life is like the sea
And one day when I down, she said, will be the death of me
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
I hear the hounds behind my back, I know my voices well
But how the hunt will end, she said, is more than I can tell
I hear the hounds behind me, no matter where I go
Good luck to every hunted thing, said Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
How long will they remember me, said Marilyn Monroe
How long will they remember me, when death has laid me low
As long as there are people on this old world below
There'll be another one like Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe
MARY MAC
There's a little girl and her name is Mary Mac
Make no mistake, she's a girl I'm gonna tak
A lot of other fellas they can get upon her track
But I'm thinkin' that they'll have to get up early
Chorus:
Mary Mac father's makin' Mary Mac marry me
My father's makin' me marry Mary Mac
I'm goin' to marry Mary for my Mary to take care of me
We'll all be feeling merry when I marry Mary Mac
This little lass, she has a lot of brass, she's a lot of gas
And her father thinks I'm class
I'd be a silly ass to let them after pass
Her father thinks she suits me very fairly
Chorus
Mary and her mother go an awful lot together
In fact you hardly ever see the one without the other
And the people wonder whether it is Mary or her mother
Or the pair of them together that I'm courtin'
Chorus
The weddin's on a Wednesday and everything's arranged
Soon her name will change to mine unless her mind is changed
And with makin' these arrangements I'm just about deranged
Marriage is an awful under takin'
Chorus
It's sure to be a grand affair, grandeur than affair
There's goin' to be a coach and pear for every pair that's there
We'll dine upon the finest fare, I'm sure to get my share
If not then I'll be very much mistaken
Chorus
Repeat Chorus (getting faster each time)
MASSACRE OF GLENCOE
(Jim McLean)
Chorus:
Cruel was the snow that sweeps Glencoe and covers the grave o' Donald
Cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe and murdered the house of McDonald
They came in the a blizzard, we offered the heat
A roof o'er their heads, dry shoes for their feet
We wine then, dine them; they ate of our meat
And slept in the house of McDonald
Cruel was the snow that sweeps Glencoe and covers the grave o' Donald
Cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe and murdered the house of McDonald
They came from Fort William with murder in mind
The Campbell's had orders, King William had signed
Put all to the sword, these words under lined
Leave none alive called McDonald
Cruel was the snow that sweeps Glencoe and covers the grave o' Donald
Cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe and murdered the house of McDonald
They came in the night when the men were asleep
This band of Argyles through snow soft and deep
Like murdering foxes amongst helpless sleep
They slaughtered the house o' McDonald
Cruel was the snow that sweeps Glencoe and covers the grave o' Donald
Cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe and murdered the house of McDonald
Some died in their beds at the hands of the foe
Some fled in the night, were lost in the snow
Some live to accuse them, who struck the first blow
But gone was the house o' McDonald
Cruel was the snow that sweeps Glencoe and covers the grave o' Donald
Cruel was the foe that raped Glencoe and murdered the house of McDonald
MASTER McGRATH
Eighteen sixty-nine being the date and the year,
All the Waterloo sportsmen and more did appear
To gain the great prizes and to bear them awa',
Never counting on Ireland and Master McGrath
On the twelfth of July, that day of renown,
McGrath and his keeper they left Lurgan town
A gale in the channel, it soon drove them o'er,
On the thirteenth they landed on fair England's shore
And when they arrived there in big London town,
Those great English sportsmen they all gathered round
And some of them laughed with a scornful "Ha Ha",
Saying "Is this the great dog you call Master McGrath!"
And one of those gents from his nose looking down,
Said "I don't give a damn for your Irish greyhound!"
And another he'd sneered with a scornful "Ha Ha",
We'll soon humble the pride of your Master McGrath
Lord Lurgan stepped forward and he said, "Gentlemen,
If there's any among you has money to spend."
"For your nobles of England we don't give a straw,
Here's five thousand to one upon Master McGrath."
McGrath he looked up and he wagged his old tail,
Informing his Lordship, "Sure I know what you mean."
"Don't fear them dear Lurgan, dear fear them a gradh,
I'll soon cripple their laughter," says Master McGrath.
There stood Rose Of England the Saxon's great pride,
The Master quite easy was close by her side
They led her away and the crowd cried, "Hurrah!"
For the pride of all England and Master McGrath
As Rose and the Master they both ran along,
"I wonder," asked Rose, "What took you from your home?"
"You should have stayed there in your Irish domain,
And not try to gain laurels on Albion's plains!"
"Now I know," says the Master, "we've wild heather bogs,
But Bedad, in oul Ireland there's good men & dogs."
"Lead on bold Britannia, give none of yer jaw.
Snuff that up your nostrils!" says Master McGrath.
The hare ran on with a wonderful view,
And swift as a rocket it crossed Waterloo
Rose gave the first turn which according to law,
For the second was given by Master McGrath
McGrath pace the hare, just as swift as the wind.
He was sometimes before her and sometimes behind.
Then he jumped on her back and held up his oul paw,
"Long live the Republic!" said Master McGrath.