THE GALWAY RACES

Trad. Arr. Merry Ploughboys
 
As I rode down to Galway Town
To seek for recreation on the 17th of August
Me mind being elevated
There were multitudes assembled
With their tickets at the station
Me eyes beggan to dazzle
And I’m going to see the races
 
With me wack fol the do fol
The diddle idle day
 
There were passengers from Limrick
And travelers from Nenagh
And ladies down from Dublin
And men from Tipperary 
There were gamblers up form Kerry 
And all quarters of the Nation 
In high anticipation 
going to view the Galway races
 
 
There were multitudes from Arran 
And members from New Quay Shore
The boys of Connemara 
and the Clare unmarried maidens
There were people from Cork City 
Who were loyal, true and faithful
Brought home the Fenian prisoners
And they dying in foreign nations
 
With me wack fol the do fol
The diddle idle day
 
It’s there you’ll see confectioners
With sugar sticks and dainties
The lozenges and oranges
The lemonade and raisins
The gingerbread and spices
To accommodate the ladies
And a big Crubeen for Thruppence
To be picking while your able
 
With me wack fol the do fol
The diddle idle day
 
It’s there you’ll see the gamblers
The thimbles and the garters
The sporting wheel of fortune
With the four and twenty quarters
There were others without scruple
Pelting wattles at poor Maggie
And her father well contented
And he gazing at his daughter
 
With me wack fol the do fol
The diddle idle day
 
It's there you see the pipers
And the fiddlers competing
The nimble footed dancers
and they tripping on the daisies
There were others crying cigars and lights 
and rules of all the races
With the colours of the jockeys
and the prize and horses ages
 
With me wack fol the do fol
The diddle idle day
 
It's there you see
The jockeys and
They mounted on so stably
The pink, the blue, the orange, and green
The emblems of our nation
When the bell was rung for starting
All the horses seemed impatient
I thought they never stood on ground
The speed was so amazing!
 
With me wack fol the do fol
The diddle idle day
 
There were half a million people there
Of all denominations
The Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew
And Presbyterian
There was yet no animosity
No matter what persuasion
But sporting hospitality
Inducing fresh acquaintance
 
With me wack fol the do fol
The diddle idle day