Story Behind The Song

What Celtic band doesn't know the song? It is a gotta have and we always open our 1st set with it. It toe tapping fun for us to play and for our audiences to listen to.

Song Description

The origins of Garryowen are unclear, but it emerged in the late eighteenth century, when it was a drinking song of rich young roisters in Limerick. It obtained immediate popularity in the British Army through the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, who were garrison there. The Irish Washerwoman is a traditional and well known Irish jig. It repeats its refrain several times, sometimes by gradually increasing in tempo until being played very fast before coming to a sudden stop. The song has lyrics, but is typically rendered as an instrumental. The song has been performed by many orchestral artists, including: Leroy Anderson The Boston Pops Orchestra André Rieu It is one of the songs played when Highland dancers dance the Scottish dance called the Irish Jig.

Lyrics

1. Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed
But join with me, each jovial blade
Come, drink and sing and lend your aid
To help me with the chorus:
Chorus:
Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail;
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.
2. We are the boys who take delight
In smashing Limerick lamps at night,
And through the street like sportsters fight,
Tearing all before us
Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail;
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.
3. We'll break the windows, we'll break down doors,
The watch knock down by threes and fours,
And let the doctors work their cures,
And tinker up our bruised
Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail;
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.
4. We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,
We'll make the mayor and sheriffs run
We are the boys no man dares dun
If he regards a whole skin.
Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail;
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.
5. Our hearts so stout have got us fame
For soon 'tis known from whence we came
Where'er we go they fear the name
Of Garryowen in glory.
Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail;
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.

Playlist Creator	Playlist Name	Date Added
Roy Elkins	World 2019	11/19/2018
Roy Elkins	Overall 2019	11/19/2018
STEPHEN CONNOLLY	My Top Songs	12/4/2012
artem1s	My Top Songs	9/15/2011