garryowen

The word ''Garryowen'' is derived from Irish, the proper name Eóghan ("born of the yew tree") and the word for garden ''garrai'' - thus "Eóghan's Garden". Garryowen is also an area of the city of Limerick, Ireland.


There are many versions of lyrics for the tune 'Garryowen' but the traditional version is:

1. Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed
But join with me, each jovial blade.
Come, drink and sing and lend your aid
To help me with the chorus:

Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail.
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.

2. We are the boys who take delight
In smashing Limerick lamps at night
And through the street like sportsters fight,
Tearing all before us.

Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail.
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.

3. We'll break the windows, we'll break down doors,
The watch knock down by threes and fours,
And let the doctors work their cures
And tinker up our bruised.

Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail.
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.

4. We'll beat the bailiffs out of fun,
We'll make the mayor and sheriffs run.
We are the boys no man dares dun
If he regards a whole skin.

Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail.
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.

5. Our hearts so stout have got us fame
For soon 'tis known from whence we came.
Where'er we go they fear the name
Of Garryowen in glory.

Instead of spa, we'll drink brown ale
And pay the reckoning on the nail.
No man for debt shall go to jail
From Garryowen in glory.