An Irishman's Shanty
 

Did you ever go down to an Irishman's shanty

Where the water was scarce and the beer is a'plenty

A three legged stool and a table to match it,

A door without hinges and nothin' to latch it?

Tread on the tail of me coat! hah, hah!

Tread on the tail of me coat!

If you're in for a row or a ruction

Just tread on the tail of me coat!

Golden-haired Bobby Bell sang the old songs in his

clear tenor voice

And after I'd heard them any number of times - I'd join

in with him. He really had no choice.

My friend he was, and as true blue as his Irish

heart was green.

And when we sang together, well, we sure lit up the scene.

So on Saturday night we'd close the shop when the

clock struck ten

And head for Rafferty and Kilgariff's ancient, cobwebbed

bar.

Deep in God's true Irishmen. There, they welcomed us,

My friend Bobby and me

And often sang with us the words of many a come all ye.

The Maid of the Sweet Brown Knoll was a favorite

often called for

And even good old Mother McRee brought out

a loud encore.

But the choice of all for Bobby and me

Was the lovely and haunting Rose of Tralee

The pale moon was shinin' way out on the mountain

The sun was declinin' into the blue sea

As I strayed with my love by the clear crystal fountain

That stands in the beautiful Vale of Tralee.

She was lovely and fair as a rose of the Summer

But it was not her beauty alone that won me

Oh, no 'twas the truth in her eyes ever shinin'

That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.

And so we sang until closing at that kindly place,

When we left those good friends - every one

wore a smile on his face.

But I saw that Bobby had a tear in the eye,

He just hated to say good-bye.