a 1940 popular Irish-American song
words and music by Pat White
The sheet music:
Accompaniment track:
Lyrics
- Fifty years ago me father left old Erin’s shore
He landed here Shillelagh in hand and devil a little more
He got a job, then got a wife, then a family
And then he died and left his old shillelagh stick to me
Chorus
Sure it’s the same old shillelagh me father brought from Ireland
And devil a man prouder than he, as he walked with it in his hand
He’d lead the band on Paddy’s Day and twirl it ’round his mitt
And devil a bit we’d laughed at it or Dad would have a fit
Sure with the same old shillelagh, me father could lick a dozen men
As fast as they’d get up, begorry, he’d knock ’em down again
And many’s the time he used it on me to make me understand
The same old shillelagh me father brought from Ireland
- I’m goin’ on the police force, it’s the only thing to do
Instead of havin’ one night stick begorry I’ll have two
If there’s a fight I’ll be alright, there’s no one bothers me
Because I have the old shillelagh father gave to me
Sung here by Fred Feild: