From the comic play “Mulligan’s Silver Wedding”, 1881.
words by Edward Harrigan
music by David Braham
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I have an old companion
John Riley from Tralee
In fair or cloudy weather
John Riley’s seen with me
His heart is like a mountain
His honor ye can’t buy
But elbow bending is his fault
John Riley’s always dry
Chorus
Bass’s ale by the pail
He would order Rosanna to go out and buy
Dublin Stout he would shout
Keep drinking and never say die
Whiskey prime, gin and wine
He would hand down a bottle and merrily cry
“My Rose Ann, fill the can
For honest John Riley’s dry
- It’s every morning early
John Riley’s out of bed
Sure never a feather bolster
Lies under Riley’s head
It’s when the sun is rising
So eager and so sly
He slips out for his bitters, boys
John Riley’s always dry - His father often told him
When John was but a youth
That every mortal Riley
All died from whiskey drouth
Of course it is a failing
The poor man can’t deny
‘Tis but a freak of nature, boys
John Riley’s always dry - What puzzles all the doctors
John Riley’s ever met
Is fresh or salty water
Can’t make John Riley wet
Sure he must have the liquor
Rum, brandy, gin, or rye
And should he miss the bottle, boys
John Riley’d surely die
Sung here by Fred Feild: