The Galway Races (midi)

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With me whack, fol the do, fol the did-de-ley, i-dle-day.

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With me whack, fol the do, fol the did-de-ley, i-dle-day.

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1. As I roved out to Galway town to seek for recreation,

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on the 17th of August, me mind being elevated,

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there were multitudes assembled with their tickets at the station,

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my eyes began to dazzle and I'm off to see the races.

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With me whack, fol the do, fol the did-de-ley, i-dle-day.

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2. There were passengers from Limerick and passengers from Nenagh,

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and boys from Connemara, and the Clare unmarried maidens,

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and people from Cork City who were loyal, true and faithful,

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that brought home Fenian prisoners from dying in foreign nations.

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With me whack, fol the do, fol the did-de-ley, i-dle-day.

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3. It’s there you’ll see confectioners with sugarsticks and dainties,

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the lozhenges, the oranges, the lemonade and raisins,

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and gingerbread and spices to accomodate the ladies,

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and a big crubeen for threepence to be picking while you’re able.

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With me whack, fol the do, fol the did-de-ley, i-dle-day.

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4. It's there you'll see the fiddlers and pipers competing,

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the nimble-footed dancers and they tripping o'er the daisies.

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And others crying cigars and likes, and bills for all the races,

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with the colours of the jockeys and the prize and horses’ ages.

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With me whack, fol the do, fol the did-de-ley, i-dle-day.

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5. It's there you'll see the jockeys and they're mounted out so stately,

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the pinks, the blues, the Irisher green, the emblem of our nation.

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When the bell was rung for starting, all the horses seemed impatient,

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I thought they never stood on ground their speed was so amazing.

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With me whack, fol the do, fol the did-de-ley, i-dle-day.

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6. There was half a million people there from all denominations,

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the Catholic, the Protestant, the Jew and Presbyterian.

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There was yet no animosity, no matter what persuasion,

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but sport and hospitality inducing fresh acquaintance.

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With me whack, fol the do, fol the did-de-ley, i-dle-day.

(orig. = capo 3rd) (Trad. / Noel McLoughlin)