Annotation:Erin Go Bragh

Back to Erin Go Bragh

---

ERIN GO BRAGH (Ireland for Ever). Irish, English; Air. England, Northumberland. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: Hall & Stafford (Charlton Memorial Tune Book), 1956; p. 16.

Recorded sources: Green Linnet SIF 3062, Dick Gaughan - "Handful of Earth." Exiles - "The Hale and the Hanged."

---

Back to Erin Go Bragh