MULLINGAR RACES

It was on the first of May when I first began my rambles
When everything was there, both jaunting cars and gambols
I walked along the road which was lined with shining faces
All driving off ding-dong to go and see the races.
Agus faim aris and cruisgin is biod se lan.

Chorus
Grá mo chroi mo chrúisgín sláinte geal mo vúirnín
Is cuma liom a cúilín veh duv nú bán
Ma fháim arís an crúisgín is biodh sé lán. (sic)

There were fiddlers playing jigs, there were lads and lassies dancing,
And chaps upon their nags round the course they were a-prancing;
Some were drinking whiskey-punch while others bawled out gaily,
"Hurrah for Shamrock green and the sprig of sweet shillelagh".

There were betters to and fro to see who would win the races, sirs;
And one of the sporting chaps of course came up to me, sirs,
Says he, "I'll bet you fifty pounds, and I'll put it down this minute".
"Oh then ten to one," says I, "the foremost horse will win it!"

Then the players came to town and a funny set they were, sirs,
I paid my two thirteens to go and see the play, sirs,
They acted kings and cobbler and everything so gaily
That I found myself at home when they struck up "Paddy Carey".

I am a simple Irish lad, to Mullingar I've come, sirs
And to satisfy my mind I mean to have some fun, sirs,
Oh murder, what a precious place, and what a charming city
Where the boys are all so free and the girls are all so pretty.

Transcribed on June 26, 2000 by T. M. Carlsen
Notes from transcriber: spelling and punctuation as in original.