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Irish Rover

from Dog Paddle by SaltyPaws

/

about

"The Irish Rover" is an Irish folk song about a magnificent, though improbable, sailing ship that reaches an unfortunate end. It has been recorded by numerous artists, some of whom have made changes to the lyrics.

The origins of the song are uncertain but it is usually attributed to a little known songwriter/arranger named J.M. Crofts. Crofts is listed as the author in the 1966 publication, Walton's New Treasury of Irish Songs and Ballads 2.

lyrics

On the Fourth of July, 1806
We set sail from the coal quay of Cork
We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
For the Grand City Hall in New York


'Twas a wonderful craft
She was rigged fore and aft
And oh, how the trade winds drove her
She had twenty three masts
And she stood several blasts
And they called her "The Irish Rover"

We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags
We had two million barrels of stone
We had three million bales of old nanny goat's tails
We had four million barrels of bones
We had five million hogs
And six million dogs
Seven million barrels of porter
We had eight million sides of old blind horses hides
In the hold of the Irish Rover

There was Barney McGee
From the banks of the Lee
There was Hogan from County Tyrone
There was Johnny McGurk
Who was scared stiff of work
And a man from Westmeath called Malone
There was Slugger O'Toole
Who was drunk as a rule
And Fighting Bill Tracy from Dover
And your man, Mick MacCann
From the banks of the Bann
Was the skipper of the Irish Rover

We had sailed seven years
When the measles broke out
And the ship lost its way in the fog
And that whole of a crew
Was reduced down to two
Just myself and the Captain's old dog
Then the ship struck a rock
Oh Lord! what a shock
Then she heeled right over
She turned nine times around
And the poor old dog was drowned
I'm the last of The Irish Rover.

credits

from Dog Paddle, released July 17, 2013

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SaltyPaws Punta Gorda, Florida

When you think of wandering minstrels, do you ever think they might live on a boat? SaltyPaws is a sailing acoustic duo, living aboard their catamaran, sailing and singing the Atlantic eastern seaboard. You'll hear guitar and 5 string banjo, spiced with harmonica and concertina. Wherever the boat is in port, you'll find Bentley and Jim joining a jam, at an open mic, or busking a street corner. ... more

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