That tumble-down shack in Athlone

AKA
First Published 1918
Writer/composer Pascoe, Richard W. / Carlo, Monte; and Sanders, Alma M Roud RN21716

Music Hall Performers John McCormack
Folk performances Collected from the singing of:
Coyne, Paddy ; Ireland : Co. Roscommon ; nd
Kincaid, Bradley ; USA : Kentucky ; 1934
Dean, Michael Cassius ; USA : Minnesota ; 1922		 

That tumble-down shack in Athlone
from Irish Music Hall MCA/MILLS

I'm a long way from home and my thoughts ever roam
To ould Erin far over the sea
For my heart it is there, where the skies are so fair
An' ould Ireland is calling for me

Oh! I want to go back to that tumble down shack
Where the wild roses bloom 'round the door
Just to pillow my head, in that ould trundle bed
Just to see my ould mother once more
There's a bright gleaming light, guiding me home tonight
Down the long road of white cobble stone
Down the road that leads back, to that tumble down shack
To that tumble down shack in Athlone

There are eyes that are sad, as they watch for a lad
In the old fashioned town of Athlone
An' I pray for the day, when I'm sailing away
To ould Ireland, and mother, my own

A sentimental Irish- American song first popularised by John McCormack’s 1919 recording and widely sung in the UK in various pantomimes in the early 1920s. It was later recorded by Bing Crosby and various others.

Sources:

  • Entries in the Roud Indexes at the Vaughn Williams Memorial Library: