Dear Old Ireland lyrics
BarleyjuiceIn Pennsylvanian woods we've met
From one bright island flown.
Great is the land we tread, but yet
Out hearts are with our own.
And ere we leave this shanty small
While fades the autumn day,
We'll toast old Ireland dear old Ireland,
Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, Oh Ireland boys hooray,
We´ll toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland, boys hooray.
We've heard her faults a hundred times,
The new ones and the old.
In songs and sermons, rants and rhymes,
Enlarged some fifty-fold.
But take them all, the great and small,
And this we've got to say:
Here's loved old Ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, Oh Ireland boys hooray,
We´ll toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland, boys hooray.
We know that brave and true men tried
To snap her rusty chain.
The patriots suffered, the martyrs died,
And all 'tis said in vain.
But no boy, no, a glance will show,
How far they've won their way.
Here's brave old ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, Oh Ireland boys hooray,
We´ll toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland, boys hooray.
[Instrumental]
We've seen the wedding and the wake,
The patron and the fair.
Lithe young frames and the dear old games
In the kindly Irish air.
And the loud "Harroo" we have heard it too,
And the thundering "Clear the way!"
Here's gay old ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, Oh Ireland boys hooray,
We´ll toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland, boys hooray.
[Missing Verses]
And well we know in cool grey eyes,
When the hard day´s work is o´er,
How soft and sweet are the words that greet,
The friends who meet once more.
With "Mary Machree!" and "My Pat, ´tis he!"
And "My own heart night and day!"
Ah, fond old Ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland, boys, Hurrah!... Chorus
And happy and bright are the groups that pass,
From their peaceful homes for miles
O´er the fields and roads, and hills, to Mass,
When Sunday morning smiles!
And deep the zeal their true hearts feel,
When low they kneel to pray,
O, dear old Ireland! blest old Ireland!
Ireland, boys, Hurrah!... Chorus
In Pennsylvanian woods we've met
And may never see again,
The dear old land where our hearts are set
And our first fond hopes remain.
But come, fill up another cup,
And with every sup we'll say,
We'll toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, Oh Ireland boys hooray,
We´ll toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland, boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, Oh Ireland boys hooray,
We´ll toast old Ireland, dear old Ireland,
Ireland, boys hooray.
[Instrumental]
Song Details
Lyrics: Timothy Daniel Sullivan - Irish nationalist, politician, journalist and poet.
The lyrics were first published in the Nation (Irish nationalist weekly newspaper) of August 15, 1857 from his collection - Songs of the Backwoods.
This statement is found in A Selection from the Songs and Poems of T. D. Sullivan, Dublin, Sealy, Bryers and Walker, Middle Abbey Street; M. H. Gill and Son Upper O’Connell Street; 1899 (Googlebooks); Notes to “Dear Old Ireland,” page 11.
He also wrote the lyrics to the Irish Rebel song, God Save Ireland.
There are other versions of the song, one of which can be found in the Flanders Collection. Helen Hartness Flanders was an internationally recognized ballad collector and authority on folk music found in New England and the British Isles.
Music: Traditional - a popular tune in the early 1800’s and was used for the Temperance song, 'I’ll Never Get Drunk Again', and the Christmas carol, ‘The Seven Joys of Mary'.
Brief: Nostalgic lyrics about Irish emigrants living in Canada although this version by Barleyjuice makes reference to Pennsylvania.
We have included 2 verses that have been omitted in this version. The original term "Hurrah" has also been replaced with "Hooray".
Other Titles: Dear Ould Ireland, Ireland Boys Hurrah.
Category: Irish Folk Song
Album: The Barleyjuice Irish Collection (January 1, 2008).
