Sean
Brady's original song lyrics
Here's a list of the majority of my own songs that were recorded and released commercially. The lyrics to many are also here.I'll do my best to fill the missing gaps over the next few weeks. The songs that are still available on my albums will have a thumbnail link to the relevant section in my shop. Nearly all of my Irish Ballads, Country Songs, Irish songs of all kinds are listed here including the lyrics I'm probably most well know for such as, The Taoiseach's Hooley, De Valera, Maggie and the Farmer, The Thatcher Song, Free the Six, Michael, Never Too Old To Love, Mother England's Giro, etc.
The list to the right has the lyrics listed. Just Click on the title to get to them.
| All Changed Utterly Ballad of Red Ken Boston I Need You Child of the Troubles Come What May Don't Press The Button** Garret Song Hills of Sweet Mayo* Irish Overseas Jackeens & Culchies Jackies Army Jewel Of The Village Kilkenny Cat Major Song Reverend Ian Paisley Seven Year Itch Shoot To Kill Southey Volunteer (Vietnam Song) Sweet Adare Trad arrangement Sean Brady* Trad arrangement and lyrics Sean Brady** |
Arthur Guinness
Blues Battle of Goose Green Circle of Love Derry Bogside Desperate Dan De Valera Drumshanbo Exile Forbidden Fruit Free The Six Jewel of The Village (2nd Version) Maggie & The Farmer Michael Mother England's Giro My First Love 'Neath a Cold Irish Sky Never Too Old To Love (Version 1) Never Too Old To Love (Version 2) Part Time Lover Republic Of Kilburn Tablets of Stone Taoiseach's Hooley Thatcher Song** The Quare One Tommy Atkins Valley of Tears |
Arthur
Guinness Blues
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1985)
This is certainly very much about me (although I was never a pioneer!)
and my drinking days. I always tried to bluster my way through the hangovers
and darkness of my boozing escapades but in the end it brought me to
a dark place. I incessantly tried to stop but could never STAY stopped.
I saw the light on June 2nd 2000, when I had my last hangover. One day
at a time, along with AA, I have not touched it since. (Touchwood!)
My pockets are all empty there's thunder in my head
It's twenty past eleven and I should be out of bed
I should be on the site but I was out last night
I'm going to give up drinking for the hundredth thousandth time
Sometimes when I go boozing I never stop to think
It helps me put my cares away when I go on the drink
But when it comes next morning and you're lying in your bed
It feels like someone's put an atom bomb inside your head
Chorus:
And I get the Arthur Guinness Blues
I can't find my trousers nor my shoes
My pockets are all empty and I'm late for work again
Today I'll make a promise to give up drink again
I used to be a pioneer and I never touched a drop
But one day I took a sup and now I never stop
My wife she's like a dragon she never stops her naggin'
So it's off down to the local I'm no more on the wagon
Now some men like their lager and others like their scotch
But I like pints and pints of stout and I drink it quite a lot
You can keep your fancy wines and your fancy German beers
'Cos I like pints of porter 'til it comes out of my ears
Repeat chorus and end
Back to top of
page
Circle
of Love
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 2007)
Sort of autobiographical stuff on relationships that start off great,
fizzle out and you end up right back where you began to have yet another
try!
You and I will never be together again
You and I won’t ever be together again
I thought you were the one for me
To turn my nightmare into a dream
Make all the bad things good
Make my life the way it should be
Well that’s where it began
And once again it’s ending
Cos' you and I will never be together again
You were a lonely girl in a lonely city
Sitting there looking oh so pretty
That’s where it began
There’s no use pretending
Oh you and I will never be together again
It’s the circle never ending circle of love
You and I will never be together again
Oh you and I won’t ever be together again
I Thought I was the one for you
To make all your dreams come true
Make all your bad things good
Make your life the way it should be
Well that’s where it began
And this is never ending
And you and I will never be together again
Now I'm a lonely man in a lonely city
Drowning here in sea of self pity
That’s where it began
It seems never ending
Oh you and I will never be together again
We couldn’t quite make it work together
This search for love seems to last forever
That’s where we began
A journey without ending
And you and I will never be together again
It’s a circle never ending circle of love
Oh it’s the circle never ending circle of love
It’s a circle never ending circle of love
Never ending circle of love
Never ending circle of love
Back to top of
page
Desperate
Dan
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1985)
I used to be a railway labourer and building site worker many yonks
ago and came across this type of 'little Hitler' type of character more
than once in my travels.
My name is Desperate Dan and I am the ganger man
I'm Desperate Dan the ruthless ganger man
Now each mornng I clock on and I put my wellies on
I'm a king for the rest of the working day
And I'll make you dig that hole
Or you're going on the dole
Says Desperate Dan the ruthless ganger man
Now I don't care a toss and I love to please my boss
I hire and I fire all the time
And if you don't pull your weight
It's the dole queue for you mate
You'd better watch your stepping out of line
Well his name is Desperate Dan and he is the ganger man
He's Desperate Dan the ruthless ganger man
Now I'm only five feet tall but I feel like six feet four
And how I love to give someone the sack
And if your work is slack
Then I'll stab you in the back
I feel like God 'cos I'm the ganger man
Now I like to cat quite flash
And I'm never short of cash
I do a bit of fiddling on the side
And the boss he thinks I'm great
And I crawl just like a snake
I'm Desperate Dan the ruthless ganger man
His name is Desperate Dan and he is the ganger man
Look out for Desperate Dan the ganger man
Avoid him like the plague boys if you can
A curse on Desperate Dan the ganger man
Back to top of
page
De
Valera
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1985 and
2007)
This is loosely based not on my Dad but rather my Grandfather. He was a Dev disciple and Tan war veteran. As a boy
I listened to his Dev stories for hours in Pat Collin's pub in Adare.
I researched the 'Chief' in later years, read lots of stuff, talked
with lots of people from his era and came up with this song. It's perhaps
one of my better efforts and it's been covered by a few acts including
the Furey's on their album, 'Winds of Change'.
I remember the day De Valera he died
my father he just broke down and he cried
he wept like a baby for Dev was his pride
but it held me no fears and I shed no tears
for this man of our times
They say Dev was a hero in 1916
he held Boland's mill for the orange and green
he was sentenced to die with Pearse and McBride
but his birth far away let him fight another day
lucky man of our times
Chorus:
He was loved he was hated he was cherished despised
there were rivers of tears when the chieftain he died
but love him or hate him I cannot decide
what to make of old Dev this man of our times
When I was at school Christian brothers were cruel
we lived off the land to be scarce was the rule
and we fled in our droves to the Emigrants boat
we weren't free yet and we questioned respect
for this man of our times
My parents were poor and the cupboard was bare
you can't feed a child on a dream or a prayer
but the boys in Dail Eireann got rich as we pined
they were led by the chief and we had no relief
from this man of our times
Chorus:
He was loved he was hated he was cherished despised
there were rivers of tears when the chieftain he died
but love him or hate him I cannot decide
what to make of old Dev this man of our times
Now Spain had its Franco, France its Degaulle
we had our Dev and God rest his soul
but history will judge on the man from Bruree
De Valera's lost dream our Nation unfree
its the shame of our times
Available on
THE THATCHER SONG CD via the
SHOP
Back to top of
page
The
Drumshanbo Exile
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1984)
Apart from the title track, this has by far been the most requested
song from the 'Thatcher Song' album at my gigs. It seems to have struck
a chord with a lot of people who can relate to it either directly or
via a family member from their past or present. The 1950's were dark
days for Ireland and my Dad and most of his brothers and sisters were
amongst those who fled the hardship of the times to come to London in
the 1950's and onwards. Why Drumshanbo? I was married to someone from
near there and my own family has roots in nearby Roscommon. Whilst visiting
there one autumn, I drove through Drumshanbo on a dark, wet day and
it seemed to epitomise the gloom and doom of a typically deserted Irish
village as it was in the days of mass emigration. Leitrim was also once
the most emigrated from county in Ireland per capita.
In nineteen fifty two begins a tale I'll tell to
you
From Drumshanbo off to London I was bound
Said goodbye to Leitrim's plains
joined on board and eastbound train
saw no use to stay in poverty's domain
Mother cried a hundred tears for her lad of nineteen years
And my father sisters brothers bade me well
As I left Dun Laighoire pier I was filled with lonesome fear
What awaits this poor young Paddy O'er the waves
With the sum of seven pounds I arrived in Camden town
Found some digs and joined with Murphys volunteers
Well it didn't seem so bad sent some shillings to me dad
And at first it seemed to be a home from home
When on Fridays wages came Camden Town had hell to pay
As the lads and me we'd drink ourselves insane
I took to drinking hard played the bookies and the cards
And the money home it soon was hard to find
Oh the years passed swiftly by and between yourself and I
I grew lonesome for Drumshanbo's plains and glens
At the Banba and Galtymore lovely women by the score
But somehow I never found myself a wife
The craic was pretty good in Camden Town and Cricklewood
And old Kilburn's smokey bars I knew them well
In the Memphis Belle some nights or Biddy Mulligans by the lights
Or a Rebel song or two in the Old Bell
In my lodgings now I'll rest and on days gone by reflect
On my wasted years and where do I belong
Mother Father passed away sisters brothers in their graves
Old Drumshanbo seems a million miles away
Now I'm old and all alone with no one to call my own
I've no wife nor family to share my pain
So tonight for old times sake on the razzle I'll engage
To the Windsor & the Edinburgh I'll roam
And tonight in Camden Town many sorrows I will drown
Lovely Leitrim on the jukebox I will play
So to all of Irelands youth spare a while for Gods own truth
There is nothing here but loneliness and tears
So to all of Irelands youth spare a while for Gods own truth
There is nothing here but loneliness and tears
Back to top of
page
Forbidden
Fruit
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music
Publishing 2007)
Fiction for me but I'm sure it sums up the 'no win' situation when someone
falls in love with somebody already spoken for.
Oh tonight I will lay with my loved one
Oh tonight I will lay with my dear
And tonight as I sleep with that someone
I will hold her sweet body so near
Forbidden fruit it tastes sweet and its tastes bitter
When the one that you love you can’t have
Cos' she’s promised herself to another
With that gold wedding band on her hand
Wish to god that I never had met her
Wish to god she was single and free
All that’s left are the slow dying embers
Of a love that just never could be
Forbidden fruit it tastes sweet and its tastes bitter
When the one that you love you can’t have
Cos' she’s promised herself to another
With that gold wedding band on her hand
So no more will I lay with my loved one
Oh no more will she be my side
All alone I must face my tomorrows
With a dream that has withered and died
Forbidden fruit it tastes sweet and its tastes bitter
When the one that you love you can’t have
Cos' she’s promised herself to another
With that gold wedding band on her hand
Cos' she’s promised herself to another
With that gold wedding band on her hand
Back to top of
page
Free
The Six
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1985)
I wrote this out of the pain and anger that many people felt over one
of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British criminal history.
I played a very, very, small part in the London based campaign and had
the honour of meeting many of the relatives and after their release,
the men themselves. I will never forget the day they got out as long
as I live. The Camden town Irish Centre had a night to remember as indeed
did all of those who were involved in the struggle.
On a thursday in November in the year of '74
the devil came to Birmingham to unleash his wicked war
carnage and destruction were the order of the day
and blood it filled the gutters in the city streets that day
But two wrongs they don't make a right
and from that tragic night
six men were arrested beaten up and brutalised
tortured and imprisoned for a crime that they didn't do
if this is British Justice then your justice will not do
Chorus:
Free these six men set them free
give them back their liberty
sentenced to a lifetime for a crime that they didn't do
if this is British justice then your justice will not do
We have seen your British Justice on the streets of Belfast Town
with your deadly plastic bullets as you shot young children down
oh the stench of your hypocrisy and your double dealing lies
the Birmingham six are innocent but justice is denied
The Birmingham six are innocent just like the Guildford four
but you've caged them up like animals for 16 years and more
so here's to Patrick, Richard and Gerry, Hughie and Billy & John
we know that you didn't do it boys and your freedom can't be long
Chorus:
Free these six men set them free
give them back their liberty
tortured and imprisoned for a crime that they didn't do
if this is British justice then your justice will not do
tortured and imprisoned for a crime that they didn't do
if this is British justice then your justice will not do
Back to top of
page
Goose
Green (The Battle Of)
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1986 and
2007)
I was twenty five years old when the Falklands war took place. I had
no idea where the Islands were and thought that they were probably off
the Scottish coast somewhere! When I see it on the world atlas I still
cannot work out how Britain can claim ownership of a small clump of
islands that are clearly closer to the coast of Argentina than to England
by thousands of miles. Some might suggest that Maggie's reasoning for
the invasion was more of a career move than one of true indignation.
Perhaps we'll never know the true answer to that one!
I joined the British army when I was just eighteen
So proud to wear that uniform a soldier of the queen
Twas the year of 1982 we sailed from Portsmouth quay
We were heading for the Falkland isles to set our people free
But we little knew what lay in store at the battle for goose green
My sweetheart was a Hampshire lass the prettiest girl I'd seen
She swore that she would wait for me a soldiers wife she'd be
We pledged our love to god above for all eternity
Midst all the flags and cheering but our love could never be
For a cruel fate awaited me at the battle for goose green
When President Galtieri invaded the Falklands green
He gave that iron lady her opportunity
We'll raise the flag and the battle cry fight on til' victory
But it wasn’t they who had to die at the hands of savagery
It was they who started this misery at the battle for goose green
When the carnage it was ended and Britannia ruled the waves
They gathered up the dead ones and dug a massive grave
They buried them all together the cost of liberty
Victims of a senseless war and mindless lunacy
And I Was Left just half a man at the battle for goose green
The maimed the burned the wounded they shipped us all back home
I got a nice new wheelchair to cart my shattered bones
And now I'm 42 years old how many more to go
My body's twisted and paralysed I feel so bloody low
What the hell were we all fighting for at the battle for goose green
A curse on politicians games and the battle of goose green
nothing gained if nothing learned from the battle for goose green
I joined the British Army
I joined the British Army
I joined the British Army
Back to top of
page
Jewel
of the Village (Version two)
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 2007)
This is a song for all the Irish women who
were abandoned, betrayed and banished by the hypocrites and charlatans
of yesterday's 'Holy' (sic) Ireland. Amongst the countless numbers who
fled, many perished at the hands of the backstreet abortionists. Many
who stayed behind endured the barbarism and cruelty of the infamous,
'Magdalen Laundries'.
A young girl headed out to the station
For a train that would speed her away
Across the water to the unknown in London
With her head bowed and covered in shame
Her parents could abide her no longer
So afraid what the neighbours might say
For a child it was growing inside her
With no husband to promise his name
Chorus:
Now the jewel of the village is gone
Far away full of shame all alone
Banished by the ones who claimed to love her
Forsaken by the holy ones
Who preach with hearts of stone
When that train pulled into Euston station
She waited but nobody came
No one to turn to no friends nor relations
Through her tears oh God help me she prayed
In no time she fell by the wayside
But the Angels just took her away
Cos’ she died in a backstreet in London
For the few pounds that man made her pay
Repeat Chorus twice:
Who preach with hearts of stone
Who preach with hearts of stone
Who preach with hearts of stone
Back to top of page
Maggie
and the Farmer
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music
Publishing 1985)
A silly song really but it got a few laughs with it's double entendre's
and sold a lot of copies on 7" vinyl single. Being so irreverent to
the PM in my songs in the 1980's was considered by many as somewhat
outrageous and by some even sillier silly Billie's almost seditious,
but this song was fairly harmless and by today's standards very meek
and mild indeed!
Excuse me Mrs T would you ever marry me
I love you like an ass is fond of clover
Would you ever leave oul' Denis
And to Ireland travel over
From tales I've heard your old mans rarely sober
Chorus:
I've a fine big pair of bullocks
and a lovely cock of hens
If you saw me gander well your eyes would water
I could learn you how to gig
And teach you how to muck a pig
Oh Mrs T I love you more each day
Will you listen Mrs T well it's plain for all to see
That old Garret thinks you are a bonny lass
But you'll surely be mistaken
If for him you're calculating
Sure he doesn't know his donkey from his ass
Chorus:
I've a fine big pair of bullocks
and a lovely cock of hens
If you saw me gander well your eyes would water
I could learn you how to gig
And teach you how to muck a pig
Oh Mrs T I love you more each day
NOw excuse me Mrs T but I'm trembling at the knees
And I'm wondering if you'll ever be my bride
In my big four poster bed
Will you ever lay your head
Shall I ever see your wellies next to mine
Chorus:
I've a fine big pair of bullocks
and a lovely cock of hens
If you saw me gander well your eyes would water
I could learn you how to gig
And teach you how to muck a pig
Oh Mrs T I love you more each day
Save and guard us Mrs T it's frustrating can't you see
I'm a farmer and a man with many needs
And I'll give all my manure
If with me you would endure
For to spend your days with me in old Adare
Chorus:
I've a fine big pair of bullocks
and a lovely cock of hens
If you saw me gander well your eyes would water
I could learn you how to gig
And teach you how to muck a pig
Oh Mrs T I love you more each day
Back to top of
page
Michael
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1984)
This is about an Irishman who ends up a down and out on the streets
of Kilburn but who served (as many tens of thousands did) in the British
forces in the fight against Hitler. I met many Irishmen who fought in
WW2 and the record shows that their bravery and contribution was legendary
on the field of battle. Sadly, unfounded anti Irish prejudice in Britain
after the war, due in part to Ireland's neutrality during the conflict,
nullified much of the respect that should have been unwaveringly afforded
to such men.
Michael's making his way down the Edgware road tonight
With his bags and ragged clothes he's not a pretty sight
Just another bleak day in the rest of his life
With no fixed abode as he carries his weary load
And Michael do they want you anymore
Michael he's a man, travelled the world in a uniform
You name it he's been there from Dunkirk over to Alamein
And his eldest brother died beside the river Kwai
Michael paid his price and now he makes it twice
And Michael do they need you anymore
Chorus:
And the butterflies inside will drown with the tide
Of the cider the meths and the wine
And Michael do they need you anymore
Michael answered the call
when the clouds billowed for Hitler's war
It wasn't Michael's war but a jobs a job you know the score
And thousand's fought and died in many foreign lands
But who gives a damn for a dead Irishman
And Michael they don't need you anymore
Michael has a son in Toronto off in Canada
And his daughter wed a man away in southern Africa
And the woman he once loved she love's him no more
She just walked away things happen that way
And Michael they don't want you anymore
Chorus:
And the butterflies inside will drown with the tide
Of the cider the meths and the wine
And Michael they don't want you anymore
Back to top of
page
Mother
England's Giro
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1984)
This was a big hit for me, never got any airplay at the time and got
up a few peoples noses in the process.
Well me giro came this morning I was happy as could
be
I get me giro once a week from the social security
This country is so giving this beats working for a living
Three cheers Mother England for me giro
Chorus:
Thank you mother England for me giro
I live the life of Reilly with me giro
So fair play to ya Maggie for helping poor old Paddy
Thank you Mother England for me giro
Now I'm working on the buildings with me wages cash in hand
And sod the Inland Revenue I just don't give a damn
Me giro gives me lolly and it makes me life so jolly
God bless Mother England for me giros
Chorus:
Ah thank you Mother England for me giro
I've got the best of both worlds with me giro
They give me loads of money in this land of milk and honey
God bless Mother England for her giros
I go down to the social ev'ry tuesday to sign on
And I dress up like a nacker with me smelly wellies on
And I get back to me lodgings and I dress up to the nines
And I hit the Kilburn high road with me giro
Chorus:
It's great crack here in England with me giro
It's such a good old country with its giros
So three cheers to you Maggie for helping poor old Paddy
God bless Mother England and her giros
This country is so giving this beats working for a living
Thank you Mother England for me giro
Back to top of
page
My
First Love
Words & Music By Sean Patrick McCarthy (Copyright
Brady’s Music Publishing 2007)
Do we ever forget the first one? have you REALLY forgotten yours?
I remember when I saw you for the first time
Your beautiful dark hair and those brown eyes
And though time may dim the pain
Just sometimes now and then
I remember you still I think of you my first love
Chorus
I remember you more than any other lover
your place cannot be taken by another
and I remember you I’ll remember you
my first love
Just being by your side it felt like heaven
I never thought goodbye would ever happen
But young love it is blind
Has no wisdom of goodbyes
And I remember you still I dream of you
My first love
Chorus
I remember you more than any other lover
your place cannot be taken by another
and I remember you I’ll remember you
my first love
Sometimes at night in arms of a new found lover
I think of where you are and then discover
that no matter how try
though the years have travelled by
I remember you still I yearn for you
My first love
Chorus
I remember you more than any other lover
your place cannot be taken by another
and I remember you I’ll remember you
my first love
I remember you more than any other lover
your place cannot be taken by another
and I remember you I’ll remember you
my first love
Back to top of
page
'Neath
a cold Irish Sky (Also known as The Derry Bogside)
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 2007)
During the troubles I met victims from all sides of the conflict and
the pain for the ones left behind must be so hard to bear.
Neath a cold Irish sky by the Derry Bogside
An English lad was about to die
He was khaki clad with a gun in his hand
And to deaths door he shortly would call
Such a heartrending sight on that november night
With an earpiercing scream he did fall
As he wriggled in pain his young life passed away
Neath a cold Irish sky by the Derry Bogside
At an English cottage in an old shire county
His parents were closing the day
With a knock at the door they would soon know the score
Your son died in action this day
Mothers tears fell like rain Daddys heart filled with pain
For their son they would not see again
For his maker he'd met on that day of regret
Neath a cold Irish sky by the Derry Bogside
Neath a cold Irish sky by the Derry Bogside
An Irish lad was about to die
For his nation he'd stand with a gun in his hand
And to deaths door he shortly would call
Such a heartrending sight on that november night
With an earpiercing scream he did fall
As he gasped his last breath in vain fight against death
Neath a cold Irish sky by the Derry Bogside
At an Irish cottage in an old Ulster county
His parents were closing the day
With a knock at the door they would soon know the score
Your son died for Ireland this day
Mothers tears fell like rain Daddys heart filled with pain
For the son they would not see again
For his maker he'd met on that day of regret
Neath a cold Irish sky by the Derry Bogside
Back to top of
page
Part
Time Lover
Words & Music By Sean Patrick McCarthy (Copyright Brady’s Music Publishing
2007)
Autobiographical and I've been both perpetrator and recipient!.
You only call me when you’re lonely
When there’s no one else to love
And when you hold me with a passion
It isn’t me you’re thinking of
The only time you ever need me
Is when your new love’s at an end
But like a fool I come back running
To a love that’s just pretend
Chorus:
But your part time lover
Is about to discover
That playing second fiddle aint for me
I’m gonna be history
To the way you’ve been using me
And your part time lover
Will be your used to be
You only want me when you’re missing
Another love that cannot be
And the fire that is burning
Burns for him but not for me
You only call me when you’re lonely
When there’s no one else to love
And when you hold me with a passion
It isn’t me you’re thinking of
Repeat Chorus twice:
Will be your used to be
Back to top of
page
Republic
of Kilburn
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1985)
Kilburn was always known as the heartland for the Irish in London. I
played in most of the Irish music pubs there at one time or another
and it was a big part of my drinking days. Doing a gig down at Biddies
and then heading down to Nelley's in Walm lane was a regular adventure.
Wouldn't want to go back to all that now but no regrets either! This
song was written by me in affectionate euphoric recall of the good bits!
There's a place of great renown it's not far from Camden Town
It's Ireland's county number thirty three
Where the crack it's mighty good from Kensal Rise to Cricklewood
The Republic of Kilburn is its name
If it's records you want handy get yourself along to Mandy's
It's on the high road down in Willesden Green
And the drink it's flowing down at the Broadway in the Crown
The Republc Of Kilburn's still the same
Chorus:
Oh I live in the Republic of Kilburn
Where everybody knows you by your name
If ever you should visit my fair county
Be sure and spend an evening with me
I'll show you all the sites in this old county
It's Ireland's county number thrity three
When the weekend comes along you can hear an Irish song
For miles around from Nellie's to the Crown
Or you can dance til' early morn' in the good old Galtymore
The Republic of Kilburn's still the same
There's a place of great renown it's not far from Camden Town
It's Ireland's county number thirty three
Where the crack it's mighty good from Kensal Rise to Cricklewood
The Republic of Kilburn is its name
Chorus:
Oh I live in the Republic of Kilburn
Where everybody knows you by your name
If ever you should visit my fair county
Be sure and spend an evening with me
I'll show you all the sites in this old county
It's Ireland's county number thirty three
It's Ireland's county number thirty three
Back to top of
page
Tablets
of Stone
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 2007)
This is a country gospel song with a message to
do it right now before it's too late! I'm trying to practice what I
preach on that one!
On Gods words were the roots of my raising
An old country farm was my home
My daddy brought me up believing
In Gods words from those tablets of stone
When momma died daddy kept us together
Gave us all that he had though alone
And the key to our family’s survival
Were Gods words on those tablets of stone
Chorus:
It’s so easy to forget where you came from
As you seek a new life of your own
But too late is the time you’ll remember
Gods own words from those tablets of stone
Gods sweet words from those tablets of stone
As I grew from a boy into manhood
I decided that I had to roam
But I took me to drinking and gambling
I Turned my back on those tablets of stone
Then one day when I got out of prison
I repented and made for my home
But too late buried there in the churchyard
Was my Dad ‘neath a tablet of stone
Repeat Chorus twice:
Back to top of
page
Taoiseach's
Hooley
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1984)
This was my follow up single to 'The Thatcher Song'
and was a mega seller for me. Again, it got a blank from the radio stations
but it didn't seem to affect it's sales figures too badly! It took ages
to write and includes a lot of celebs and famous people who are no longer
with us.
Oh the Taoiseach's having a hooley tonight
there'll be awful celebration and delight
for the oil its coming ashore fortunes knocking at the door
now there's V.I.P.'s in plenty to be seen
there's Maggie Thatcher and the Queen
Prince Charles and his little colleen
well there's great craic promised at the Taoiseach's house tonight
Now there's bacon and cabbage and crubeens upon the table
there's poteen and porter for all of them that's able
but watch out for Denis the menace
knocking back the pints of Guinness
while Maggie's dancing the wearing of the green
and here comes President Reagan
on his horse with guns a blazing
there's great craic promised at the Taoiseach's house tonight
Now the Pope & Mr Paisley are getting on fine
sure they've settled down for the game of 25
there's Liberace & Diana singing songs at the oul piano
well there's quare old things at the Taoiseachs house tonight
and Prince Charles has gone half silly look at him playing with his
little willie
oh such peculiar things at the Taoiseach's house tonight
Now randy Andy's looking awful dandy
sure he's out on the floor with Mr Reagan's Nancy
such a siege of Ennis you never saw
what a shower of eejits out on the floor
the oul Taoiseach's doing a hornpipe with the Queen
and the crowd has gone half crazy at the sound of Mr Paisley
singing Kevin Barry at the Taoiseach's house tonight
Now Prince Philip's gone oustside walking the dogs
and there's Bo Derek slippin' on her bathing togs
well his feelings now he can't control
sure its driving your man right up the pole
well its hard old times at the Taoiseachs house tonight
now Prince Charles is showing his Willy
to all the girls in Dublin city
well there's great craic promised at the Taoiseach's house tonight
now Prince Charles is showing his Willy
to all the girls in Dublin city
well there's great craic promised at the Taoiseach's house tonight
Back to top of
page
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1984)
This was based on a lovely lady who used to come
along to my gigs many years ago in South London. She was always smiling
and could get up and dance like a good 'un. If you're reading this Mary,
'Hello!'
Well I got a missus and she's big and fat
And she's always grinning like a Cheshire cat
She weighs nineteen stone but I'm a bag of bones
She's the abne of me life the oul' quare one
A diabolical site the oul' quare one
Down the Galtymore every saturday night
To the Ceili hall goes me and the wife
She drags me out on the floor til me feet get sore
And I'm fair knackered out by the quare one
She's a powerful craicher the quare one
Nows in our house there's three of us
Your woman and I and a cat named Gus
She thinks more of him than she does of me
She loves her oul' pussy the quare one
She's cat altogether the quare one
Just the other night I was having me fill
Of a plate of stew that'd make you ill
When I says to her this'd slay the cat
She stuck it in me face the oul' quare one
You've got to watch your mouth with the quare one
Just the other night I caught a terrible view
When she bent herself over to lace up her shoes
Well you never would believe the sight that I saw
And it scared the cat silly that he ran through the door
Such a sight for the eyes the oul' quare one
Last thing at night it's such a terrible sight
When she takes off her wellies and she tears off her tights
And she takes off her corset and her brassieres too
And she looks like something you'd find at the zoo
Such a sight for the eyes the oul' quare one
When in bed at night I starts to dream
A fantasising of some beauty queen
The oul' missus turns her head
And she'll see me grin
Then she'll rap me o'er the brains
With a rolling pin
Repeat first verse and end
Back to top of page
The
Thatcher Song
Words & Trad arr Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing
1983)
I wrote most of this in about 20 minutes one night whilst watching 'News
at Ten'. Little did I know that it was going to change my life and lead
to some wonderful places and experiences, the spin offs were amazing
and continue to this day. Thank you Maggie!
Maggie Thatcher you can't match her she's the darling
of us all
She's the curse of the Irish Nation Fine Gael and Fianna Fail
She's destroyed me hire purchase and she's put me on the dole
If I could only get my hands on her I'd kick her up the-----
Good onya Mrs Thatcher you're the cutest girl of all
such a biddy fine and buxom sure the likes you'll not recall
when she holds negotiations things they always reach a hitch
she's the world in ruination such a schemer the old--------
Good onya Mrs Thatcher no one in this world can match her
but she's trying to take the vote away from the paddies once again**
we're not worried 'bout your English vote nor your politicians gas
you can keep them Mrs Thatcher you can shove them up your----
Help us Mrs Thatcher with the prices rising high
and the work is getting awful scarce paddy's losing that's no lie
now you say that you don't want us that we've stayed here long enough
(now you say that you don't want us that we're really out of luck
but if I were a taxidermist I would tell you to get -------
Fair play Mrs Thatcher sure you know a trick or two
and each time you come to Dublin well we know just what you'll do
you'll dress up in your finery and preach with all your might
but all of your fancy promise's are just a load of-----
We love you Mrs Thatcher like your old man loves his brew
such a lad your husband Denis when he's had a sup or two
sure he'll take a pint of porter and a glass of Irish mist
and because he faces you each night no wonder he gets------
Thatcher you can't match her she's the darling of us all
She's the curse of the Irish Nation Fine Gael and Fianna Fail
Back to top of
page
Tommy
Atkins
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1984)
I wrote this as a filler track for my 'Free The Six' album which was
produced on a shoestring budget. All I had to do was write it and recite
it to a tin whistle player. It was requested at gigs tons of times after
the album came out but I've never performed it live at a gig.
My name is Tommy Atkins I'm a soldier of the Crown
I left the unemployment queues to keep the Paddies Down
They gave me a squaddies uniform and put a rifle in my hand
And they shoved me in a regiment all bound for Ireland
They said 'Son you're a soldier and your duty is to fight
To protect and save our Empire with all Britannia's might'
But within weeks of setting foot here, I'm all but a broken man
Because neither Protestant or Catholic for Tommy Atkins gives a damn
And for some their flag is Orange and the rest their flag is Green
some shout go FUCK THE POPE!
whilst others FUCK THE QUEEN!
And my flag it has been sullied in proud Britannia's name
I aint nobody's hero, I'm just a British soldier alone, ashamed
And the Irish they don't want us and back home nobody cares
So you can stick this Northern Ireland lark
What the hell are we doing here?
Back to top of
page
Valley
of Tears
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1986 &
2007))
This was written about an old flame of mine from
many moons ago who went onto better things. I felt full of self pity
and misery at the time but it did me a great favour. I think it's true
that 'Pain is the touchstone of spiritual growth' No pain, no gain.
You’re up on your mountain
You’re way up on high
Looking down on me darling
Now I’m left wondering why
Lord if I had the power to go back in time
I’d go back to where we were
Before you told me goodbye
Chorus:
Thought we had a love that never could die
Yet you shattered my feelings
You cut me down to size
I helped you venture up there guided you through your fears
But then you left me behind you in my Valley Of Tears
Perhaps in time you’ll consider
All the hurting you’ve done
I guess time waits for no one
When the damage is done
Oh and it sure has a habit of passing us by
Yet the trouble with memories
Is they don’t always die
Repeat Chorus:
But then you left me behind you in my Valley Of Tears
Back to top of
page
You're
Never Too old to Love (Version one)
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music Publishing 1985)
I wrote this song as an experiment. The sentiments are not mine but
I'm sure they relate to the lucky ones who experience true everlasting
love through marriage. At the time Foster and Allen were selling colossal
numbers of singles and albums with this type of lyric so I thought I'd
give it a try and write something in that genre. I got lucky and it
was covered by them on their 'Heartstrings' album which charted in the
UK and sold massively. It is (to date) the most lucrative song I've
written and has been re-released umpteen times on various compilation
albums as well as having had extensive airplay on BBC radio 2 and regional
stations worldwide. I struck lucky a few years later with the same song,
that I re-wrote for Susan McCann. (see below) Susan also had a hit with
it in the UK and Ireland and once again it got onto the BBC radio 2
playlists for some time. My own version is on my 'Thatcher Song' album.
I got tons of requests to do it at gigs but I never performed it live
once!
Honey you look so good today
I love you a thousand ways
It's our golden wedding day
You're never too old to love
Now we're in our twilight years
We've laughed and we've shed our tears
The future we do not fear
You're never too old to love
They say good things have to pass
That true love can never pass
But darling we've proved them wrong
You're never too old to love
Chorus:
You're never too old to love
Love and age they go hand in glove
Though your hair is silvery grey
The wrinkles cannot betray
You're never too old to love
I've loved you through all the days
It matters not what they say
I guess we're two of a kind
You're never too old to love
Once when you and I we were young
And loves song was sweetly sung
The sands of time passed us by
You're never too old to love
Repeat chorus and end
You're Never Too old to Love (Version two)
This is the rewrite of the original version. The first cut was a tad iffy in the lyrics department so I rewrote it to make a little more sense! Susan McCann did this one and it was a roaring success with lots of major BBC National and Regional airplay and sales. It's still on release with Prism Leisure.
Words & Music Copyright Sean Brady (Brady's Music
Publishing 1985 and 1991)
Honey you look so good today
I love you a thousand ways
It's our golden wedding day
You're never too old to love
Now we're in our twilight years
We've laughed and we've shed our tears
The future we do not fear
You're never too old to love
Remember when we were young
and loves song was sweetly sung
Now it seems like we've just begun
You're never too old to love
Chorus
You're never too old to love
It's still you that I'm dreaming of
When you put your lips to mine
It feels like the first time
You're never too old to love
They say good things have to apss
That true love can never last
But darling we've proved them wrong
You're never too old to love
So here on this special day
We'll dream of our yesterdays
We'll dance and we'll celebrate
You're never too old to love
Chorus
You're never too old to love
It's still you that I'm dreaming of
When you put your lips to mine
It feels like the first time
You're never too old to love
Back to top of
page