A popular song from 1917.
Words by Alex Gerber.
Music by Archie Gottler.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Pat McCann, a working man
Complained about his job
He’d carry bricks and clay
On his shoulder ev’ry day
He thought the job too hard
So he resigned a year ago
Became a politician
And he made a lot of dough, and
Chorus
Now he’s living the life of Reilly
Ev’rybody respects him highly
Since he broke into society
Paddy wears a high silk hat
And looks like an Irish Diplomat
His friends just sent him an invitation
To lead the march on old Saint Patrick’s Day
He used to work at carrying bricks
But since he got into politics
Sure he’s living the life of Reilly
- Ev’rywhere that Paddy goes
They treat him like a prince
He says that very soon
He’l be owning a saloon
And when it comes to making dough
He surely takes the “cake”
Last night we caught him selling tickets
For an Irish wake, and
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: