Father Songs

from A Heritage of Folk Songs

A Lover’s Lament

A Lover’s Lament I once did court a damsel most beautiful and bright. I courted her for love and her love I did obtain. She vowed that she did love me and constant would remain. Oh, then we did plan that together we would go, But when her old father…

A Scolding Wife

A Scolding Wife I married a scolding wife some twenty years ago, And ever since I’ve lived a life of misery and woe. And ever since I’ve lived a life of misery and sin, For she’d bang me to the devil for a glass or two of gin, Oh, she…

Adieu to Nova Scotia

Adieu to Nova Scotia The sun had sunk all in the west, The birds sang sweet in ev’ry tree All nature seemed inclined to rest But oh, there is no rest for me I grieve to leave my native land, I grieve to leave my comrades dear, My tender parents…

Adieu to Old Ireland

Adieu to Old Ireland Here’s adieu to old Ireland the place where I was born Near the county of Lim’rick all vanished and gone. On some distant island bound down as a slave. It was in my own country I first misbehaved. It is of my dear mother, how she…

Arthur McBride

Arthur McBride Oh, me and me cousin, one Arthur McBride, As we went a-walking down by the seaside. Now mark what followed and what did betide, It being on Christmas morning. Out for recreation, being on a tramp, We met Sergeant Napper and Corporal Vamp And a little drummer intending…

At the Foot of the Mountain Brow

At the Foot of the Mountain Brow Come all young men and maidens, and listen to my song, A song or two I’ll sing to you, I won’t detain you long. ‘Tis all about a young man I’m going to tell you now. Who has lately gone a-courting at the…

Awake, Arise

Awake, Arise As I walked out one fair summer’s morning, Down by the ocean I chanced to see a youth approaching in melancholy, Who seemed to weep most bitterly. I asked this young man why he lamented, Why he lamented and wept full sore. At which he told me the…

Billie O’Rourke

Billie O’Rourke Faith, I greased my brogues and took my stick the twentieth day of May, sirs, And off to Dublin town I tripped to walk upon the seas, sirs, To see if I could get employ to cut their hay and corn, sirs, To pick up pence upon the…

Bonny Light Horseman

Brennan on the Moor

A brace of loaded pistols he carried with him each day, He never robbed a poor man upon the king’s highway, But what he’d taken from the rich, like Turpin and Black Bess, He always did divide it with the window in distress. (Chorus) One night he robbed an Irishman…