For Vallerina: Lyrics for "Erin-go-braugh"

[Guest]

This is St. Patrick's Day, and Val's probably out getting hammered......so, here's a musical history lesson for those who are up tonight.

If you Google up lyrics for "Erin-go-braugh" ("Ireland Forever") you'll probably come up with a bloody, early XXth Century rendition involving the killing of British soldiers.

Here are lyrics from a version written by a Scotsman named Dick Gaughan.
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Erin-Go-Bragh

My name's Duncan Campbell from the shire of Argyll
I've travelled this country for many's the mile
I've travelled through Ireland, Scotland and a'
And the name I go under's bold Erin-go-bragh

One night in Auld Reekie as I walked down the street
A saucy big police I chanced for to meet
He glowered in my face and he gi'ed me some jaw
Sayin' "When cam' ye over, bold Erin-go-bragh?"

"Well I am not a Pat though in Ireland I've been
Nor am I a Paddy though Ireland I've seen
But were I a Pat, now, what's that at a'?
For there's many's the bold hero from Erin-go-bragh"

"Well I know you're a Pat by the cut of your hair
But you all turn to Scotsmen as soon as you're here
You left your ain country for breaking the law
And we're seizing all stragglers from Erin-go-bragh"

"Were I a Pat and you knew it were true
Or were I the devil, then what's it to you?
Were it not for the stick that you hold in your paw
I would show you a game played in Erin-go-bragh"

And a lump of blackthorn that I held in my fist
Around his big body I made it to twist
And the blood from his napper I quickly did draw
And paid him stock-and-interest for Erin-go-bragh

Then the people came around like a flock of wild geese
Crying "Catch that daft rascal, he's killed the police"
And for every friend I had I'll swear he had twa
It was terrible hard times for Erin-go-bragh

But I cam' to a wee boat that sailed in the Forth
And I packed up my gear and I steered for the North
Fareweel to Auld Reekie, you police and a'
And the devil gang with you, says Erin-go-bragh

So come all you young people, wherever you're from
I don't give a damn to what place you belong
I come from Argyll in the Hielands so braw
But I ne'er took it ill being called Erin-go-bragh
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"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[Kennedy 0]

Here, Here for Erin-go-bragh! from an American-Scot

...now if only they'd stop playing our instruments in their parades. Whatsa matter, finally ready to admit the flute and the harp are NOT manly instruments?

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
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