RAVEN CHILD 

FENNARIO 

SAILOR BOY 

SIXTEEN JOLLY RAVERS 

IS TO MO GHRA: SCAOLIM TU SAOR

COME ON LOVE 

ON RAGLAN ROAD

THE DARLIN` GIRL FROM CLARE

THE FROGS WEDDING

DRUNKEN SAILOR

RAVEN CHILD    Back to Top
  
  
WHY DO YOU SEE ME AND TIP YOUR HEAD
  
WITH QUESTIONS DARK AND WILD
  
WHY DO I SHIVER THROUGH MY BACK BONE
  
“BECAUSE I KNOW,” CRIED THE RAVEN CHILD
  
WHY DO YOU CALL ME WITH THAT TRAGIC VOICE
  
BROKEN AND DEFILED
  
WHY DOES IT STRANGLE MY HEART’S EASE

BECAUSE I FEEL, CRIED THE RAVEN CHILD
  
  
WHAT ARE YOU WHISPERING SO QUIET ON MY EAR
  
EVER ONCE IN AWHILE
  
WHAT ARE YOU SHOWING SO RED AND SINCERE
  
I AM HAPPY, CRIED THE RAVEN CHILD
  
  
  
WHAT IS THE SOFTNESS SURPRISING ME
  
GENTLE WOMAN MILD
  
WHAT IS THIS LONGING THAT CATCHES MY BREAST
  
THAT’S MY HEART, CRIED THE RAVEN CHILD
  
  

FENNARIO    Back to Top
  
AS WE ROWED OUT TO FENNARIO

OUR CAPTAIN FELL IN LOVE WITH A LADY LIKE A DOVE


AND HE CALLED HER BY NAME PRETTY PEGGY-O.

OH WILL YOU MARRY ME PRETTY PEGGY-O


OH WILL YOU MARRY ME AND I'LL TAKE YOU OUT TO SEA


TO LANDS FAR BEYOND FENNARIO.

OH I WOULD MARRY YOU SWEET WILLIAM-O

OH I WOULD MARRY YOU BUT YOUR GUINEAS ARE TOO FEW

AND I FEAR THAT MY MAMA WOULD BE ANGRY-O.

IF EVER I RETURN PRETTY PEGGY-O

IF EVER I RETURN ALL YOUR CITIES I WILL BURN


DESTROYING ALL THE LANDS IN THE AREA-O.

COME TRIPPING DOWN THE STAIRS PRETTY PEGGY-O

COME TRIPPING DOWN THE STAIRS COMBING BACK YOUR YELLOW HAIR


THE FAIREST YOUNG MAID IN FENNARIO.

SWEET WILLIAM IS DEAD PRETTY PEGGY-O

SWEET WILLIAM IS DEAD ND HE DIED FOR YOUR LOVE


IN A LAND FAR BEYOND FENNARIO.

REPEAT VERSE 1.
   

  
SAILOR BOY    Back to Top
  
A SAILOR'S LIFE IS A MERRY LIFE

HE ROBS YOUNG GIRLS OF THEIR HEART'S DELIGHT


LEAVING THEM ALONE TO WEEP AND MOURN


THEY NEVER KNOW WHEN HE'LL RETURN



OF FOUR AND TWENTY ALL IN A ROW

MY TRUE LOVE MAKES THE FINEST SHOW
  
HE'S PROPER TALL, GENTEEL WITH-ALL

IF I CAN'T HAVE HIM I'LL HAVE NONE AT ALL



MY FATHER BUILT ME A BONNY BOAT

THAT ON THE OCEAN I MIGHT FLOAT

AND EVERY QUEEN SHIP THAT WE PASSED BY

THERE INQUIRE FOR MY SAILOR BOY
  
  
SHE HAD NOT SAILED LONG UPON THE DEEP
  
WHEN A QUEEN SHIP SHE CHANCED TO MEET
  
YOU SAILORS ALL PLEASE TELL ME TRUE
  
DOES MY SWEET WILLIAM SAIL AMONG YOUR CREW?
  
  
OH, NO FAIR MAIDEN, HE’S NOT HERE

FOR HE’S BEEN DROWNED WE GREATLY FEAR

ON YON GREEN ISLAND AS WE PASSED BY
  
THERE WE LOST SIGHT UPON YOUR SAILOR BOY.
  
  
SHE WRUNG HER HANDS, SHE TORE HER HAIR
  
SHE WAS A MAID IN GREAT DESPAIR
  
HER LITTLE BOAT ON THE ROCK SHE DID RUN
  
SAYING HOW SHALL I LIVE NOW THAT MY WILLIAM IS GONE?
  
  
  
  

  
  
SIXTEEN JOLLY RAVERS    Back to Top

  
SIXTEEN FISHERMEN RAVING OUT ON THE TOWN

SIXTEEN PEACOCKS LEAVE THEIR NEST FLYING INTO MYSTERY 

THEY TRY TO CUT THE SPANISH LOOK IT LOOKS SO UNTIDY

DON'T ASK FOR MUCH YOU'LL NEVER GET ENOUGH


WHEN YOU'RE FLYING INTO MYSTERY

FLYING INTO MYSTERY WHEN YOU SHOULD BE OUT SEA-FARING


RUN OUT THE GIB AND RIG THE BOOM STEP BACK REALITY

WHEN THEIR SHIP IS ON THE OCEAN THEIR NIGHTS ARE SO EMPTY


THEY WEARY OF THE SMELLY FISH AND THE WASH OF THE SALTY SEA

THE SIXTEEN JOLLY RAVERS EVERYONE OF THEM HAS HIS CAUL

THE SAY IT KEEPS THE DEATH AWAY WHEN THEY FACE THE ANGRY SQUALL
  
WHY FACE THE ANGRY SQUALL WHEN YOU COULD GO GO-GO DANCING


RUN OUT THE GIB AND RIG THE BOOM STEP BACK REALITY

TO THE SIXTEEN JOLLY RAVERS THE GIRLS LOOK SO FANCY


YOU COULD EAT YOUR FRY OFF THE BACK OF THEIR NECKS


AND IF YOU WANT SOME MORE SAY PLEASE
  
SEA FARERS WHEN THEY FEEL ALL RIGHT THEY FEEL IT MUSICALLY


THEY GO DOWN SINGING SHANTIES ON THE DANCE FLOOR ALL AT SEA


ON THE DANCE FLOOR ALL AT SEA THE SIXTEEN JOLLY RAVERS

RUN OUT THE GIB AND RIG THE BOOM STEP BACK REALITY
  
FLYING INTO MYSTERY WHEN YOU SHOULD BE OUT SEAFARING

RUN OUT THE GIB AND RIG THE BOOM STEP BACK REALITY
   

  
IS TO MO GHRA: SCAOLIM TU SAOR    Back to Top

  
IS TO MO GHRA: SCAOILIM TU SAOR


(YOU ARE MY LOVE: I LET YOU GO)


AR MO SHONSA: AR DO SHONSA


(FOR MY SAKE :FOR YOUR SAKE)



IS TO MO GHRA; SCAOILIM TU SAOR


( YOU ARE MY LOVE: I LET YOU GO)


AGUS GUIOM GO DTIOCFAIMID LE CHEILE ARIS


( AND I PRAY THAT WE'LL COME TOGETHER AGAIN)


  
LE BLATH UR: FAOI GHRAIN NUA


(WITH A FRESH FLOWER: UNDER A NEW SUN)


IS TU MO GHRA
  
  
  

COME ON LOVE    Back to Top

  
I’’VE BEEN LIVIN’ ON THIS ISLAND; I’VE BEEN HUDDLED IN THE TREES
I’VE BEEN OPENIN’ UP MY DOOR ONLY WHEN I LEAVE
I’VE BEEN LIVIN’ ALL ALONE HERE; I’VE BEEN TALKIN’ WITH MY FEAR
WE’VE BEEN MAKIN’ CIRCLES ROUND NOTHIN’ HERE

  
COME ON LOVE, COME ON DREAMS; TELL ME WHEN YOU COMIN’ HOME TO ME
COME ON SWEET LOVE, COME ON DREAMS; TELL ME WHEN YOU COMIN’ HOME

  
I’VE BEEN STRETCHIN’ OUT MY ARMS; I’VE BEEN ASKIN’ FOR THE MOON
TO LOOSEN UP MY KNEES SO THAT I CAN SWOON
I THINK ALL THIS HEALIN’S DONE IF HEALIN’ EVER ENDS
I’VE BEEN WRITING LETTERS; LETTERS I WANNA SEND

  
CHORUS

  
I’VE BEEN LOOKIN’ OVER BRIDGES TO THE OTHER SIDE
AND IF I WANNA GET THERE, I’VE GOTTA TAKE THAT RIDE
I BELIEVE THERE’S A RISIN’ INSIDE OF EVERY PAIN
AND UNDER THAT HORIZON, SOMETHIN’S COMIN’ UP AGAIN.   
CHORUS
  
  

 



  
ON RAGLAN ROAD    Back to Top
(AIR: THE DAWNING OF THE DAY)


ON RAGLAN ROAD ON AN AUTUMN DAY I MET HER FIRST AND KNEW

THAT HER DARK HAIR WOULD WEAVE A SNARE THAT I MIGHT ONE DAY RUE;


I SAW THE DANGER, YET I WALKED ALONG THE ENCHANTED WAY,


AND I SAID, LET THE GRIEF BE A FALLEN LEAF AT


THE DAWNING OF THE DAY.



ON GRAFTON STREET IN NOVEMBER WE TRIPPED LIGHTLY ALONG THE LEDGE


OF THE DEEP RAVINE WHERE CAN BE SEEN THE WORTH OF PASSIONS PLEDGE


THE QUEEN OF HEARTS STILL MAKING TARTS AND I NOT MAKING HAY-


O I LOVED TOO MUCH AND BY SUCH BY SUCH IS HAPPINESS THROWN AWAY.



I GAVE GIFT OF THE MIND, I GAVE HER THE SECRET SIGN THAT'S KNOWN 

TO THE ARTISTS WHO HAVE KNOWN TRUE GODS OF SOUND AND STONE


AND WORD AND TINT, I DID NOT STINT FOR I GAVE HER POEMS TODAY,


WITH HER OWN NAME THERE AND HER OWN


DARK HAIR LIKE CLOUDS OVER FIELDS OF MAY



ON A QUIET STREET WHERE OLD GHOSTS MEET I SEE HER WALKING NOW

AWAY FROM ME SO HURRIEDLY MY REASON MUST ALLOW


THAT I HAD WOODED NOT AS I SHOULD A CREATURE MADE OF CLAY-


WHEN THE ANGEL WOOS THE CLAY HE`D LOSE


HIS WINGS AT THE DAWN OF DAY.
  
   

   
THE DARLIN` GIRL FROM CLARE    Back to Top


WE WERE SITTIN` ON THE WALL UPON A SUNDAY
JUST TO WATCH THE GIRLS GO BY,
AND THINKIN` WE`D BE MARRIT TO ONE ONE DAY,
WHEN KATE FLYNN CAUGHT OUR EYE.


OH, MAN! SHE WAS THE MAKIN`S OF A FAIRY; AND IT MADE EACH BOY SWEAR,
`THERE`S NOT ONE GIRL IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD
LIKE THE DARLIN` GIRL FROM CLARE

[CHORUS]

SO EVERY MAN HAD GOT THEIR FINEST PLAN YOU EVER SEE NOW-BARRIN` ME NOW,
AND EV`RY DAY THERE`S ONE OF THEM WOULD SAY 
THAT SHE`LL AGREE NOW- YOU`LL SEE NOW;
ALL NIGHT THEY`D FIGHT, AS TO WHICH O` THEM WAS RIGHT,
IN THE COLOUR OF HER EYES AND HAIR,
BUT NOT A WORD FROM ME WAS EVER HEARD, ABOUT THE DARLIN` GIRL FROM CLARE!


SAYS SWEENY: 'TIS THE FATHER I`LL BE PLAZIN',
I`LL TELL HIM OF THE LAND I`VE TILLED,
I`LL TELL HIM OF THE CATTLE I HAVE GRAZIN`
AND OF THE HOUSE I MEAN TO BUILD;
AND WHEN HE SEES THE 'ARABLE' AND 'PASTURE'
AND THE FAT STOCK FEEDIN` THERE, AN' THE HENS AN' THE CHICKENS,
YE MAY GO TO THE DICKENS FOR THE GIRL FROM CLARE.'

CHORUS

SEZ SHARKEY; 'SHE`LL BE COMING TO THE SHOP HERE TO BUY SOME SORT OF THING,
I'LL AXE HER IF SHE HAS A MIND TO STOP HERE, AND I SHOULD BUY HER THE RING
AN` WHIN SHE SEES THE CURTAINS ON THE WINDAS,
AN` THE OLD CLOCK ON THE STAIRS KEEPIN` TIME TO THE MINIT,
NO ONE ELSE WILL BE IN IT WITH THE DARLIN` GIRL FROM CLARE!

CHORUS

I NEVER SAID A SINGLE WORD ABOUT HER, BUT I MET THE GIRL THAT DAY,
I TOLD HER I COULD NEVER LIVE WITHOUT HER, AN` WHAT HAD SHE TO SAY?
SHE SAID THAT I MIGHT GO AND SEE HER FATHER;
SO I MET HIM THEN AND THERE, AN` IN LESS THAN AN HOUR
WE WERE FIGHTIN` FOR THE DOWER OF THE DARLIN` GIRL FROM CLAIR!

CHORUS

SO EV`RY MAN HAD GOT THE FINEST PLAN YOU EVER SEE NOW BARRIN` ME NOW,
EV`RY DAY THERE`S ONE OF THEM WOULD SAY 
THAT SHE`LL AGREE NOW - YOU`LL SEE NOW;
BUT LATE LAST NIGHT WHEN THE MOON WAS SHINING BRIGHT
I AXED HER IF SHE`D SHARE IN ME JOYS AND ME SORROWS 
AN` BEGORRA! ON TOMORRA I`LL BE MARRIED TO THE GIRL FROM CLARE! 
  
  
   

  


DRUNKEN SAILOR    Back to Top
  
WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THE DRUNKEN SAILOR 
  
EARLY IN THE MORNING; HOORAY UP HE RISES, EARLY IN THE MORNING 
  
PUT HIM IN THE BED WITH THE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER   
PUT HIM IN THE BED WITH THE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER   
PUT HIM IN THE BED WITH THE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER, EARLY IN THE MORNING   
PUT HIM IN SCUPPER WITH THE HORSEPIPE ON HIM 
  
PUT HIM IN SCUPPER WITH THE HORSEPIPE ON HIM 
  
PUT HIM IN SCUPPER WITH THE HORSEPIPE ON HIM, EARLY IN THE MORNING 
  
HOIST HIM ABOARD WITH A RUNNING BOWLINE 
  
HOIST HIM ABOARD WITH A RUNNING BOWLINE 
  
HOIST HIM ABOARD WITH A RUNNING BOWLINE, EARLY IN THE MORNING 
  
PUT HIM IN THE BRIG UNTIL HE’S SOBER   
PUT HIM IN THE BRIG UNTIL HE’S SOBER   
PUT HIM IN THE BRIG UNTIL HE’S SOBER, EARLY IN THE MORNING  


  

Irish Song Charts are available in pdg format at Spike's Music Collection.

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"Drunkin' Sailor" 

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