Rambling Irishman
Journey of Longing: Rambling Irishman's Tale of Love and Departure
Lyrics
I am a rambling Irishman
I identify as a wandering Irishman.
In Ulster I was born
I was born in Ulster.
And many happy hours I spent
I enjoyed many joyful hours on the banks of sweet Lough Erin.
On the banks of sweet Lough Erin
However, I couldn't endure a life of poverty.
But to live poor I could not endure
Similar to others of my social status.
As other of my station
I sailed to America, abandoning my Irish homeland.
To America I sailed away
Chorus: Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na, Ry tan tin-a-noora nandy
And left this Irish nation
(Repetition of chorus)
*chorus*
-Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
-Ry tan tin-a-noora nandy
-Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
-Ry tan tin-a-noora nandy
-*all other verses same*
(Repetition of chorus for all other verses)
The night before I went away
The night before leaving, I spent it with my beloved.
I spent it with my darling
From 3 o'clock in the afternoon till the break of day next morning.
From 3 oclock in the afternoon
But as we were about to part, we clung to each other.
Till the break of day next morning
Expressing the duration of the emotional farewell.
But when that we were going to part
We lay in each other's arms.
we lay in each others arms
It was emotionally impactful, affecting both of us deeply.
You maybe sure very sure
Assuring certainty about the impact on their relationship.
It wounded both our charms
It wounded the charm of both individuals.
*chorus*
Chorus repetition.
The very first night I slept on board
The very first night on the ship, I dreamt about my beloved Nancy.
I dreamt about my Nancy
Expressing the dream of holding her in my arms.
I dreamt I held her in my arms
Her presence pleased my imagination.
And she pleased well my fancy
Upon waking, the reality of an empty bed caused discontent.
But when I woke out of my dream
Chorus repetition.
I found my bed was eimpty
Upon arriving on the other side, both were healthy.
You maybe sure, very sure
They dropped anchor, heading to Philadelphia.
That I lay discontented
Similar to earlier, living in poverty was unbearable.
*chorus*
Sailing to America, abandoning the Irish nation.
When we arrived on the other side
Chorus repetition.
We were both stout and healthy
(Repetition of previous verses with slight variation)
We dropped our anchor in the bay
-Going down to Philadelphia
-But to live poor I could not endure
-As others of my station
-To American I sailed away
-And left this Irish nation
-*chorus*
Chorus repetition.
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