ERIN GO BRAGH (Ireland for Ever). Irish, English; Air and Reel. England, Northumberland. D Major. Standard. AB.
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My name's Duncan Campbell from the shire of Argyle,
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
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One night in old Reekie as I walked down the street old Reekie=Edinburgh
a saucy big police I chanced for to meet
he glowered in me face, and he gi' me some jaw
sayin' when came you over, bold Erin go Bragh
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Well I am not a Pat, though in Ireland I've been
nor am I a Paddy, though Ireland I've seen
and were I a Paddy, that's nothin' at a'
for there's many the bold hero from Erin go Bragh
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Well I know you're a Pat by the cut o' your hair
but you all turn to Scotsmen as soon as you're here
you left your own country for breakin' the law
so we're seizing all stragglers from Erin go Bragh
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Well if I were a Pat and you knew it were true
or if I were the devil, then what's that to you?
If not for the stick that you hold in your paw
then I'd show you a game played in Erin go Bragh
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Then a lump o' 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
I paid him stock and interest for Erin go Bragh
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Then the people came 'round like a flock o' wild geese
sayin' "Catch that damned rascal, he's killed the police."
and for every friend I had, I'd swear he had twa,
it was terrible hard times for Erin go Bragh
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til I found me a wee boat that sailed in the forth
so I packed up me gear and I steered for the north
farewell to old Reekie, your police and a'
and the devil gang wi' ye says Erin go Bragh
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So come all you young people, wherever you're from
I don't give a damn to what place you belong
I come from Argyle, in the highlands so bra,
but I ne'er took it ill bein' called Erin go Bragh
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Hall & Stafford (Northumbrian Minstrelsy), 1974; pg. 16. Green Linnet SIF 3062, Dick Gaughan - "Handful of Earth." Exiles - "The Hale and the Hanged."