AKA | If you’re Irish |
First Published | 1919 |
Writer/composer | Shaun Glenville and Frank Miller | Roud | RN32022 |
Music Hall Performers | Shaun Glenville |
Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: Quinn, Frank; USA : New York; 1926 Rook, Clifford; USA : Pennsylvania ; 1928 Healey, Dennis; Ireland : Co. Wicklow; 1961 Modern performances Ruby Murray |
In sweet Limerick Town, they say Lived a chap named Patrick John Molloy Once he sailed to USA His luck in foreign parts he thought he’d try Now he’s made his name, and is a wealthy man He put a bit away for a rainy day So if you gaze upon The house of Patrick John You’ll find a notice that goes on to say: If you’re Irish come into the parlour There’s a welcome there for you If your name is Timothy or Pat So long as you come from Ireland There’s a welcome on the mat If you come from the Mountains of Mourne Or Killarney’s lakes so blue We’ll sing you a song and we’ll make a fuss Whoever you are you are one of us If you’re Irish, this is the place for you Patrick loved the girl he wed But he could not stand his Ma-in-law Once with joy he turned quite red When she got into trouble thro’ her jaw Six police they had to take her to the Court She was informed a month she would have to do So Patrick quickly wrote Up to the Judge a note Explaining: “Sir, I’m much obliged to you!”
A Music Hall hit from the 1920s, revived by Ruby Murray in the 1950s, still sung as a raucous drinking song today…
If you’re Irish come into the parlour was a hit in the Halls for Shaun Glenville (1884 – 1968, real name John Browne). Glenville was born in Dublin to a theatrical family. In his 20s he toured America and Britain and for a while worked with Fred Karno. In later life he was acclaimed by some critics as the greatest pantomime dame of his age. He was married to Dorothy Ward also a successful pantomime and Music Hall performer. Glenville’s most successful songs include Are We Downhearted? No!, Where have those Golden sovereigns gone? and Hinky Dinky Parlez Vous
Ruby Murray sings a bit of a cheesy version, but I suspect that’s unavoidable with this particular song:
Sources:
- Entries in the Roud Indexes at the Vaughn Williams Memorial Library: https://archives.vwml.org/search/all:single[folksong-broadside-books]/0_50/all/score_desc/extended-roudNo_tr%3A32022
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics and Sheet Music: Irish Traditional Music Archive
- Image Wikimedia Commons
Last Updated on November 3, 2024 by John Baxter | Published: January 18, 2022