SAILING OFF TO THE YANKEE LAND

As sung by Frank Harte and Donal Lunny on "The Hungry Voice" (2009)

All you young men, I pray draw near now, an' give ear to the words I am goin' to say.
I'm goin' to tell you that the people of Ireland are emigratin' to Americay.

Ah, yes indeed, they are emigratin'. This poor country they can't stand.
They put their foot on board of a ship while they're sailing off to the Yankee land.

And the night before they are due for leavin', all the neighbours in their house do throng
For to take a farewell glass or otherwise to sing a song.

Well, they dance all night till early mornin', each man cuttin' all around the floor.
Then mother [bad word] in, says, weeping, "See our children to the door."

The father looks around the cabin. He sees that he is all alone.
Surely his poor heart's a-breaking. His salt tears would melt the stone.

And hurrah for the gallant sons of Erin! This poor country they can't stand.
They put their foot on board of a ship while they're sailin' off to the Yankee land.

Well, the other day as I went walking, down the road I chanced to go.
I saw a crowd to me approaching. It surely filled my heart with woe.

For I saw the carriage and coaches movin' onward forward to the train,
And their handkerchiefs were waving, bidding goodbye to Granuaile,

And hurrah for the gallant sons of Erin! This poor country they can't stand.
They put their foot on board of a ship while they're sailin' off to the Yankee land.

And when they get to New York harbour, friends will meet them with good cheer,
Saying, "How's old Ireland and how's she doin' and how is [bad word] #39; on this year?"

She's the most distressed and curséd nation in this world that e'er was seen.
All they're good for is process-servin' in that little isle of green.

Ah, yes, indeed they are emigratin' from the land they love so dear,
And any man that isn't married, well, the devil a wife he'll get next year.

And hurrah for the gallant sons of Erin! This poor country they can't stand.
They put their foot on board of a ship while they're sailin' off to the Yankee land.