Henry's Songbook

As I was walking to Newry one day
I met Sergeant Kelly by chance on the way
Says he, Johnny Gallagher, will you come along
To the sweet town of Newry where we'll get a dram

As we were a-talking and drinking our dram
He says, Johnny Gallagher, you're a handsome young man
Will you list take the bounty and come along with me
To sweet Tipperary fine sights for to see

I may go where I will for I have no one to mourn
My mother is dead and will never return
My father twice married with a wife and a home
And to me proves cruel and does me disown

He put his hand in his pocket, one shilling he drew
Saying, Take this, Johnny Gallagher, and you'll never rue
I took the shilling and the bargain was made
And the ribbon was brought and pinned to my cockade

Bad luck to the old man wherever he may be
For he was the ruin and the downfall of me
If he had been honest and learnt me a trade
I'd never have enlisted and joined this brigade

God help all poor parents who have a bad son
They don't know the hardships they have to run
Stuck in a cold guardroom all night and next day
And on the field of battle their enemies to slay

(as sung by Tom McDonagh)