D Well the Girls in Old Ireland they come to me A Bloody shillelagh clubs for to set me free Bm I said my lady?s fair won?t you listen to me G D And I?ll bring you to your bonnie lass. D In fifty-two the hunger took us by surprise A Water fell into my mother?s crying eyes Bm We wailed just like the doves in the morning cries G D And the crops were sick in harvest time. D But my mother she was wise and she raised me well A She told me all the things that there was to tell Bm Precious you sure listen cause you need me now G D In the years to come I won?t be there. D Just take a hard shillelagh in your hands so strong A Always hold it gently when they do you wrong Bm But when you hear John Henry?s solemn hammer song G D God give you strength like turpentine. D And darling you?re a peach tree in the summer sun A With bonnie little branches always on the run Bm And when cold winds shake your branches like a crooked gun G D I?ll be there my cherub son. D Like a mockingbird who laughs because there?s someone there A To wonder if they ever would discover where Bm He's hiding in the trees without a worried care G D Streetcars in the alleyway. D Well the Girls in Old Ireland they come to me A Let their bloody kings and clubs be their melodies Bm A whiskey-fog still burning in my memory G D Scattered all along the grass.