We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Irish Rover

from The Blarney Roses by Life Of Riley

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £0.90 GBP  or more

     

lyrics

n the year of our Lord 1806
We set sail from the Coal Quay of Cork
We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
For the grand city hall of New York
We’d an elegant craft, it was rigged fore & aft
& how the trade winds drove her
She had 23 masts & she stood several blasts
And they called her the Irish Rover

& it’s fare thee well, my pretty little girl,
for I must sail away (& they’ve all got knobs on)
Fare thee well, my pretty little girl, for I must sail away

There was Barney McGee from the banks of the Lee
There was Hogan from County Tyrone
There was Johnny McGwirk
who was scared stiff of work
And a man from West Meath called Malone
There was Slugger O'Toole, he was drunk as a rule
& Fighting Bill Tracy from Dover
& your man, Mick McCann from the banks of the Bann
Was the skipper of the Irish Rover

& it’s fare thee well, my pretty little girl,
for I must sail away (& they’ve all got knobs on)
Fare thee well, my pretty little girl, for I must sail away

We had 1 million bags of the best Sligo rags
We had 2 million barrels of stones
We had 3 million bails of old nanny goats tails
We had 4 million barrels of bones
We had 5 million hogs, 6 million dogs
7 million barrels of porter
We had 8 million sides of old blind horses hides
In the hold of the Irish Rover

& it’s fare thee well, my pretty little girl,
for I must sail away (& they’ve all got knobs on)
Fare thee well, my pretty little girl, for I must sail away

& it’s fare thee well, my pretty little girl,
for I must sail away (& they’ve all got knobs on)
Fare thee well, my pretty little girl, for I must sail away

We had sailed 7 years when the measles broke out
And the ship lost its way in the fog
And that whale of a crew was reduced down to 2
Just myself and the Captain's old dog
Then the ship struck a rock, what a terrible shock
The bulkhead was turned right over
Turned 9 times around & t' poor old dog was drowned
I'm the last of The Irish Rover

& it’s fare thee well, my pretty little girl,
for I must sail away (& they’ve all got knobs on)
Fare thee well, my pretty little girl, for I must sail away

credits

from The Blarney Roses, released November 24, 2014
Morris Wintle : Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard, Recording & Production.
Penny Plowden : Irish Whistles, Vocals.

license

tags

about

Life Of Riley UK

Life Of Riley's mission is to save hundreds of beautiful songs & tunes from being forgotten in the mists of time, launching them refreshed & rejuvenated into the 21st Century, perchance gladdening the hearts & souls of all who would dare to listen.
The band consists of Morris Wintle ( vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, mandola, keyboards ) & Penny Plowden ( vocals, Irish whistles ).
... more

contact / help

Contact Life Of Riley

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Life Of Riley, you may also like: