A comic character song written for the Irish music hall, 1917.
words by John J. Stamford
music by Shamus O’Connor
American version by Red Latham, Wamp Carlson, Guy Bonham
In 1889 the owner of the Alhambra Theatre in Belfast wrote this humorous novelty song for Irish-American William J. “Billy” Ashcroft to perform to. It was based on an actual Limerick fife and drum band. It can be marched to or quick-stepped. First published and recorded in England. This is the American version which has a few more stereotypes for added amusement.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment track:
Lyrics
- Oh! me name is McNamara, I’m the leader of the band
Although we’re few in numbers we’re the finest in the land
We play at wakes and weddings and at every fancy ball
And when we play to funerals we play the march from Saul
Chorus
Oh! the drums go bang, and the cymbals clang
And the horns they blaze away
McCarthy pumps the old bazoon while I the pipes do play
And, Hennessey Tennessee tootles the flute
And the music is somethin’ grand
A credit to old Ireland is MacNamara’s Band
- Right now we are rehearsin’ for a very swell affair
The annual celebration, all the gentry will be there
When General Grant to Ireland came he took me by the hand
Says he, “I never saw the likes of McNamara’s Band” - Oh! my name is Uncle Yulius and from Sweden I have come
To play with McNamara’s band and beat the big bass drum
And when I march along the street the ladies think I’m grand
They shout, “There’s Uncle Yulius playing with an Irish band - Oh! I wear a bunch of shamrocks and a uniform of green
And I’m the funniest looking Swede that you have ever seen
There’s O’Briens and Ryans and Sheehans and Meehans
They come from Ireland
But by Yimminy I’m the only Swede in McNamara’s band
Sung here by Fred Feild: