If you’re Irish come into the parlour

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: