#celticmusic #irishmusic #sailingsongs

This is a cute ditty about a sailor's misadventures on shore leave.

BARRACK STREET (Traditional Irish)

Sailors all come lend an ear, come listen to me song A trick of late was played on me and I won't detain you long I come from sea the other day and a girl I chanced to meet She said, "Me friends have invited me to a dance in Barrack Street."

I said "Me dear fair maid, I cannot dance so well" "Besides I am for Bandon bound where all me friends do dwell" "I've been to sea these past two years, I've saved up thirty pounds" "Me friends will be expecting me this night in Bandon town"

"Well if you cannot dance me love then you will stand a treat" "Have a glass or two of brandy and a something for to eat" "At six o'clock this evening I will meet you off the train" "So don't forget to give a call when you come to town again"

At eight o'clock that evening, the drinking did begin And when we all had drunk our fill the dancing did begin Me and me love danced all around to a merry tune She says, "Me dear, let us retire to a chamber alone"

The dancing being over and to bed we did repair And there I fell fast asleep, the truth I will declare Me darling with me thirty pounds gold watch and chain had fled Left me here poor Jack alone, stark naked in bed

So I looked all around me and there's nothing I could spy But a woman's shirt and apron all on the bed did lie I wrung me hands and tore me hair, cried oh what shall I do? Fare thee well, sweet Bandon town, I'm sure I'll never see you

Well, everything being silent and the hour be twelve o'clock I put on the shirt and apron and steered for Penrose Wharf The captain says "Now Jack, I thought you were to Bandon bound" "Ha! Ye might have got a better suit than that for thirty pound"

I might have got a better suit if I'd had got the chance I met a girl in Barrack Street she took me to a dance I danced me own destruction now I'm struck from head to feet I swear that I will go no more down in Barrack street

So all of you young sailor lads a warning take from me Beware of all your company when you go out on a spree And keep clear of Barrack Street or else you'll rue the day Or in a woman's shirt and apron, oh, they'll bring you out to sea