First, some news… St Patrick's Day Songs for Kids is getting a ton of great reviews on Amazon. It's charting fairly well on iTunes too. I'm still hoping I can get six more reviews by tomorrow, which would be one week after the album was officially released. If I can, I think it will rank fairly well there. We shall see…

In the meantime, I want to share with you lyrics from the album as well as music for some of the songs. But first…

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When you subscribe to my mailing list, I'll send you a free album of Celtic songs from some of my albums. I'm also putting together a new compilation which will feature the absolute best of my music ever. I'll send the album to you when it's done.

In the meantime, subscribe to my newsletter for free. It comes out 2-4 times per month. This month is the best time to subscribe too. I have a LOT of St. Patrick's Day music news, including my performances with the St. Patrick's Day Internet Music Festival.

Irish Song Lyrics for St. Patrick's Day Songs for Kids

Below is the complete list of lyrics for St. Patrick's Day Songs for Kids, my newest album. This is a fun album as you'll read below. There's a lot of great Irish, Celtic and original songs that capture the spirit of St. Patrick's Day. If you want more Irish song lyrics, I have a webpage dedicated to them right here.

I’ll Tell My Ma

words and music traditional

I'll tell my ma when I get home,
The boys won't leave the girls alone
They pull my hair and stole my comb
But that's all right till I go home

* She is handsome, she is pretty,
She is the Belle of Belfast city
She is a courtin' one, two, three,
Please won't you tell me who is she

Albert Mooney says he loves her,
All the boys are fightin' for her
Knock at the door and ring at the bell,
Saying oh my true love, are you well

Out she comes as white as snow,
Rrings on her fingers, bells on her toes
Ould Johnny Morrissey says she'll die
If she doesn't get the fella with the roving eye

Let the wind and the rain and the hail blow high
And the snow come travellin' through the sky
She's as sweet as apple pie,
She'll get her own lad by and by

When she gets a lad of her own
She won't tell her ma when she gets home
Let them all come as they will
For it's Albert Mooney she loves still

Irish Lilting

Lyrics and music of “Irish Lilting” by Marc Gunn

Come all ye young travelers
Come along with me
We’ll sing a song all day long
Ora-diddle-la-diddle-la-dee

A diddle-la-diddle-la-dee
OH! A diddle-la-diddle-la-dee
It’s as fun as can be
A diddle-la-diddle-la-dee
Oh! A diddle-la-diddle-la-dee
It’s Irish Lilting

Clap your hands young traveler
Clap along with me
We’ll clap our hands one-two-three
Ora-diddle-la-diddle-la-dee

Stomp your feet young traveler
Stomp along with me
We’ll stomp our feet all one-two-three
Ora-diddle-la-diddle-la-dee

Tap your head young traveler
Tap your head with me
We’ll tap our heads now one-two-three
Ora-diddle-la-diddle-la-dee

Shrug your shoulders young travelers
Shrug your shoulders with me
We’ll shrug our shoulders one-two-three
Ora-diddle-la-diddle-la-dee

Rub your belly young travelers
Rub your belly with me
We’ll rub our bellies one-two-three
Ora-diddle-la-diddle-la-dee

Flap your arms young traveler
Fly away with me
We’ll flap our arms one-two-three
Ora-diddle-la-diddle-la-dee

Red-Haired Boy Lilting

music traditional

 

Happily Ever After

lyrics and music of “Happily Ever After” by Marc Gunn

In days that have long since passed,
There lived a beautiful mahogany lass.
An unmarried and virtuous princess, alas,
She was brave, strong and bold.

* Tra la di di hidey ho
Di hidey hey, di hidey ho
Tra la di di hidey ho
Happily ever after.

One morning while riding no guard around,
Armed with sword should trouble abound,
She heard the most horrible sound,
And her nose burned of sulfur.

The sky it darkened, gave her horse a fright.
A dragon swooped as black as night,
Grabbed the princess then out of sight.
Her horse ran frightened home.

The king cried, “All knights be sworn!
Kill the dragon with your swords.
Return me daughter for this reward,
That you may marry her.”

The bravest knight in all the realm,
Young, handsome and vain as well
Declared the maid his holy grail
And rode off to rescue her.

The knight he climbed up rugged heights
Snagged a run in his pristine tights
At cavern's shaft, he saw no lights
And heard no sound inside.

The knight called the dragon out.
But only a lady's voice came back.
“I killed the dragon!,” the lady shout.
And stepped into the sun.

The princess dressed in scraps of cloth,
Her mahogany hair was all burned off.
A muddy face, the vain knight scoffed,
“Can you clean be for we go?”

The princess still in clothes undone,
Told the knight, “I work alone.”
The knight rode lone into the setting sun.
And the princess was happy thereafter.

Gypsy Rover

Lyrics and music Leo Maguire

A gypsy rover came over the hill
Down through the valley so shady.
He whistled and he sang ’til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.

Ah-dee-doo-ah-dee-doo-dah-day
Ah-dee-doo-ah-dee-day-dee
He whistled and he sang ’til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.

She left her father’s castle gate.
She left her own fine lover.
She left her servants and her state
To follow her gypsy rover.

She left behind her velvet gown
And shoes of Spanish leather
They whistled and they sang ’till the green woods rang
As they rode off together

Last night, she slept on a goose feather bed
With silken sheets for cover
Tonight she’ll sleep on the cold, cold ground
Beside her gyspy lover

Her father saddled up his fastest stead
And roamed the valley all over.
Sought his daughter at great speed
And the whistlin’ gypsy rover.

He came at last to a mansion fine
Down by the river Claydee.
And there was music and there was wine
For the gypsy and his lady.

“He is no gypsy, my Father,” she cried
“but Lord of these lands all over.
And I shall stay ’til my dying day
with my whistlin’ gypsy rover.”

Rising of the Moon

words by J.K. Casey, music Turlough O'Carolan

And come tell me Sean O'Farrell tell me why you hurry so
Husha buachaill hush and listen and his cheeks were all a glow
I bare orders from the captain get you ready quick and soon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon

* By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
For the pikes must be together by the rising of the moon

And come tell me Sean O'Farrell where the gath'rin is to be
At the old spot by the river quite well known to you and me
One more word for signal token whistle out the marchin' tune
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
With your pike upon your shoulder by the rising of the moon

Out from many a mud wall cabin eyes were watching through the night
Many a manly heart was beating for the blessed warning light
Murmurs rang along the valleys to the banshees lonely croon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon
And a thousand pikes were flashing by the rising of the moon

All along that singing river that black mass of men was seen
High above their shining weapons flew their own beloved green
Death to every foe and traitor! Whistle out the marching tune
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon

‘Tis the rising of the moon, 'tis the rising of the moon
And hurrah, me boys, for freedom, 'tis the rising of the moon

The Sick Note

lyrics Pat Cooksey, music traditional, also known as “The Barrel Song”

Dear Sir I write this note to you to tell you of my plight
At the time of writing I am not a pretty sight
My body is all black and blue, my face a deathly grey
And I write this note to say why I'm not at work today.

While working on the fourteenth floor,some bricks I had to clear
Now to throw them down from such a height was not a good idea
I asked the foreman for advice, he was a careful man
He said I had to carry them down the ladder in my hand.

Now hauling all those bricks by hand, it was so very slow
So I hoisted up a barrel and secured the rope below
But in my haste to do the job, I was too blind to see
That a barrel full of building bricks was heavier than me.

And so when I untied the rope, the barrel fell like lead
Clinging tightly to the rope I started up instead
I shot up like a rocket till to my dismay I found
That half way up I met that bloody barrel coming down.

The barrel broke my shoulder, as towards the ground it sped
And when I reached the top I hit the pulley with my head
I clung on tightly, tho numb with shock, from this almighty blow
Just before it spilled out half the bricks, some fourteen floors below.

Now when these bricks had fallen from the barrel to the floor
I then outweighed the barrel and I started down once more
The barrel missed me, passing by, I gave a thankful sound.
Just before I landed on the bricks it left upon the ground.

I lay there moaning on the ground I thought I'd seent the worst
Then the barrel hit the pulley wheel, and the barrel bottom burst
A shower of bricks fell down on me, twas then I gave up hope.
And laying there upon the ground, I let go the bloody rope.

The barrel was now heavier and started down once more
It landed right across me as I lay upon the floor
It broke three ribs, and my left arm, so I can only say
That I hope you'll understand why I'm not at work today.

Lord of the Pounce

lyrics and music of “Lord of the Pounce” by Marc Gunn

I pounced in the morning when the world was begun.
I pounced on the moon and the stars all for fun.
I leaped down from heaven, and I pounced on the earth.
When I pounced my first mouse, I had my birth.

Pounce, pounce, wherever you may be
I am lord of the pounce, said he.
I'll run under feet, wherever you may be.
And I'll leap on you in the pounce, said he.

I pounced on the papyrus of the Egyptians
They wouldn't play so I stole their feather pens
I pounced on the fish caught by James and John
They fed me fish then the pounce went on.

I pounced on the Sabbath, rubbed my head against the lame.
Many people shook their head, said this feline was insane.
I may nap after pouncing, do not think I am gone.
For I just saw a rat, so the pounce goes on.

I and my lady meowed a song across the plain
The birds came down, and we pounced on each of them.
On the bedchamber floor, I laid my carrion.
Then I raced out the door and I pounced again.

I dog jumped down, so I leapt up high.
I have nine lives that will never, never die.
I'll pounce on you though you bark at me
I am the Lord of the Pounce, said he.

I Love Crunching Nuts

lyrics and music of “I Love Crunching Nuts” by Marc Gunn

I love crunching nuts.
I love to hear them pop.
I love to watch them fall to the ground.
‘Cause I love crunching nuts.

My wife loves crunching nuts.
She smiles whenever they pop.
We go for walks just to watch the nuts fall
‘Cause we love crunching nuts.

I taught my daughter to crunch nuts.
She laughs whenever they pop.
We can’t wait til the leaves start to fall.
That means it’s time to crunch nuts.

Loch Lomond

words and music traditional

By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes,
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Where me and my true love were ever wont to gae,
On the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

* Oh! Ye'll take the high road, and I'll take the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye,
But me and my true love will never meet again,
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

‘Twas then that we parted, In yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep side of Ben Lomond,
Where, in purple hue, The highland hills we view,
And the moon coming out in the gloaming.

The wee birdies sing, And the wild flowers spring,
And in sunshine the waters sleeping.
But the broken heart it kens, Nae second spring again,
Though the waeful may cease frae their greeting.

Wherever I May Roam

lyrics and music of “Wherever I May Roam” by Marc Gunn

In younger days I used to wander
Thru the lonely lanes of life
Spun out of control, dizzy and alone
Nothing running right

* Now I have love inside me
Wherever I may roam
I have my family beside me
I’m never alone

I turned my back on dissonance
Struck a new chord and hit it twice
Raced towards the sun and a new world begun
And then I met my wife

Ate fish and chips on the streets of London
Savored abita in New Orleans
Walked in cold rain of Galway town
She was prettier than a dream

Music alone was my one companion
But songs alone have no melody
Now there’s adventure and love in my life
And then the cries of our baby

The Mermaid Song

lyrics and music traditional

Twas Friday morn when we set sail
And we were not far from the land
When the captain, he spied a lovely mermaid
With a comb and a glass in her hand

O the ocean's waves will roll
And the stormy winds will blow
While we poor sailors go skipping to the top
And the landlubbers lie down below (below, below)
And the landlubbers lie down below

Then up spoke the captain of our gallant ship,
And a brave old man was he,
He said, “This fishy mermaid has warned me of our doom:
We shall sink to the bottom of the sea!” chorus

And up spoke the mate of our gallant ship
And a well-spoken man was he
I have me a wife in Salem by the sea
And tonight she a widow will be

And up spoke the cookie of our gallant ship
And a red hot cookie was he
Saying I care much more for my pots and my pans
Than I do for the bottom of the sea

Then up spoke the cabinboy, of our gallant ship
And a nasty little lad was he.
I'm not quite sure I can spell “mermaid”
But I'm going to the bottom of the sea.

Then up spoke the cannibal who snuck aboard our ship
And a hungry mad invader was he
You can drown right now beneath the cold ocean waves
Or you can be dinner for three, your choice

Then up spoke the parrot of our gallant ship
And a smartarse parrot was she
Brawk, you're going to drown, your going to drown, Brawk
And flew to the shore for her safety

Then three times around went our gallant ship
And three times around went she
Three times around went our gallant ship
And she sank to the bottom of the sea

The Leprechaun

words and music of “The Leprechaun” by Marc Gunn

There's a Leprechaun in me head, and I wish that I were dead
For I don't think he'll e'er let me be.
Oh, he tempts me with his gold, and if I were e'er so bold,
I'd strangle him and leave him in the street.

* Well, he says to me, “Ah, you're no Irish Laddie!
And ye call that thing a harp?”
But each time I share the lore that I am learning.
He hides in shame while my friends they chant.
La ta tee, da diddley dee, la ta tee ta tee da
La ta tee, da diddley diddley dai
La ta tee, da diddley dee, la ta tee ta tee da
La ta tee, da diddley diddley dai

There's a leprechaun in my room. He swats me with a broom.
That's the reason I forget the words of this song.
Well, he shows me a four-leaf clover, and before me song is over,
It's buried in a bowl of Lucky Charms.

There/s a leprechaun on the floor, and he says that I'm a bore.
He yawns aloud as I sing my song.
He feigns one last breathe stolen, but I see his eyes are open.
And he's watching me with envy deep inside.

There's a leprechaun on a hill, and his gold is buried there.
So I grab him by the neck ‘fore he gets away.
The pot's too heavy, he giggles, so I pinch me just a little,
And he thinks he's fooled me as I run away.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

words and music Chauncey Olcott & George Graff, Jr.

There's a tear in your eye, And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile, Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song, Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

Rattlin’ Bog

lyrics and music by traditional

* O-ro the rattlin' bog, the bog down in the valley-o
O-ro the rattlin' bog, the bog down in the valley-o

And in that bog there was a tree, a rare tree, a rattlin' tree
With the tree in the bog
And the bog down in the valley-o.

Now on that tree there was a limb, a rare limb, a rattlin' limb
With the limb on the tree and the tree in the bog
And the bog down in the valley-o.

Now on that limb there was a branch, a rare branch, a rattlin' branch
With the branch on the limb and the limb on the tree and the tree in the bog
And the bog down in the valley-o.

(Repeat, adding a line each time)
Now on that branch there was a twig, a rare twig, a rattlin' twig…..

Now on that twig there was a nest, a rare nest, a rattlin' nest…..

Now in that nest there was an egg , a rare egg, a rattlin' egg…..

Now in that egg there was a bird, a rare bird, a rattlin' bird…..

Now on that bird there was a feather, a rare feather, a rattlin' feather …..

Now on that feather there was a flea, a rare flea, a rattlin' flea …..