Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
INTRODUCTION:
Sure, the cast of characters is a Dublin Litany. Bang, Bang pray for us. Alfie Burton pray for us. Flash Cavanaugh pray for us. Johnny Forty-Coats pray for us. Harry Lemon pray for us. And of course, there were other characters, just as intent on their purpose. Like Mr. Roberts, of Moncells’, the publishing company, together with Mr. Faulkner, a printer, held up for a long time the publication of James Joyce’s Dubliners. They were probably a little nervous of Billy Welch. Better know the more genteel citizens of our town as Archbishop William Walsh. But it didn’t did stop James Joyce from writing his poems for a penny each.
Ladies and gents you are here assembled to hear why earth and heaven trembled
Because of the black and sinister arts of an Irish writer in foreign parts
He sent me a book ten years ago, I read it a hundred times or so
Backwards and forwards, down and up, through both ends of a telescope
I printed it all to the very last word, but by the mercy of the Lord
The darkness of my mind was rent and I saw the writer’s foul intent
I owe a duty to Ireland, I hold her honour in my hand
This lovely land that has always sent her writers and artists to banishment
And in the spirit of Irish fun has betrayed her own leaders one by one
‘Twas Irish humour wet and dry flung quick lime into Parnell’s eye
And its brains that saved from doom the leaking barge of the Bishop of Rome
For everyone knows the Pope can’t belch without the consent of Billy Welch
Oh, Ireland my first and only love where Christ and Caesar are hand and glove
Oh, lovely land where the shamrock grows, allow me ladies to blow me nose