The Girls in Old Ireland
Whispers of Heritage: The Stillwater Hobos' Musical Tapestry
Lyrics
Sure the Girls in Old Ireland they come to me
The women in historic Ireland are drawn to me.
Bloody shillelagh clubs for to set me free
Violent Irish clubs (shillelaghs) were used to liberate me.
I said my lady's fair won't you listen to me
I addressed a beautiful lady, asking her to heed my words.
And I'll bring you to your bonnie lass
I promised to guide her to her beloved.
In fifty-two the hunger took us by surprise
In 1852, famine unexpectedly struck Ireland.
Water fell into my mother's crying eyes
Tears streamed from my mother's eyes due to the scarcity of water.
We wailed just like a dove in the morning cries
We cried out in despair, akin to mourning doves.
And the crops were sick in harvest time
The crops suffered during the harvest season.
But my mother she was wise and she raised me well
My mother imparted wisdom, raising me well.
She told me all the things that there was to tell
She taught me invaluable lessons.
Precious you sure listen cause you need me now
She urged me to pay attention as I'll need her guidance in the future.
In the years to come I won't be there
She wouldn't be present in my future years.
You take a hard shillelagh in your hands so strong
I was advised to wield a shillelagh firmly but with care.
Always hold it gently when they do you wrong
Handle it gently, especially when faced with mistreatment.
But when you hear John Henry's solemn hammer song
A reference to John Henry's resolute work song.
God give you strength like turpentine
Asking for strength akin to turpentine (symbolizing fortitude).
And darling you're a peach tree in the summer sun
Comparing a loved one to a vibrant peach tree.
With bonnie little branches always on the run
They are like beautiful, lively branches always on the move.
And when cold winds shake your branches like a crooked gun
When faced with adversity, standing strong despite challenges.
I'll be there my cherub son
A promise of support to a cherished son.
Like a mockingbird who laughs because there's someone there
Referencing a mockingbird's laughter when someone is present.
To wonder if they ever would discover where
The uncertainty of being discovered while hidden in trees.
We're hiding in the trees without a worried care
A serene feeling even in urban settings.
Streetcars in the alleyway
Mention of streetcars in an alleyway, possibly evoking nostalgia.
Sure the Girls in Old Ireland they come to me
Reiteration of the allure of women from old Ireland.
Let their bloody kings and clubs be their melodies
Their powerful symbols and leaders are like music to them.
A whiskey-fog still burning in my memory
A lasting memory of whiskey-induced haze and its remnants.
Scattered all along the grass
Objects scattered across the grass, possibly remnants of the past.
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