Today’s Irish Pub Song Of The Day is the first Irish Pub Song that I ever learned how to play. I love Roddy McCorley and everytime I heard it, I can picture the scene at the bridge. I think it has powerful imagery and I hope you like it. Even with two “extra” chords the melody is still on the first two frets.

Roddy McCorley(PDF)

RODDY MCCORLEY

Oh [G]see the fleet foot host of men who [C]speed with faces [G]wan

From farmstead and from [C]fisher’s [G]cot [C]along the [Am]banks of [D7]Bann

They [G]come with vengeance [C]in their [G]eyes. To [Em]late to [Am]late are [D7]they

For [G]young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the [C]bridge of Toome [G]today

Up the narrow streets he steps smiling proud and young
About the hemp rope on his neck the golden ringlets clung
There is never a fear in his blue eyes both glad and bright are they
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today

When he last stepped up that street his shining pike in hand
Behind him marched in grim array a stalward earnest band
For Antrim town, for Antrim town, he lead them to the fray
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today

There is never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray
Than he who marches to his fate on the bridge of Toome today
To true the last, to true the last he treads the upward way
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today

Today is the GREAT EXPERIMENT!! I hope you like it. My wife says that it’s the Fun Twin and the Evil Twin. The reality is that when I was playing banjo, I couldn’t really hear what I was doing on the guitar. Next time I have to set up the monitor in front of me so I can relax and have fun!

So, today’s Irish Pug Song Of The Day is Janie Mac, I’m Nearly 40 Accompaniment for Frailing Banjo!

Janie Mac I’m Nearly Forty

Well, [G]I’ve been singing most my [C]lifetime

Of [G]Rockall, Strong Men and Botany [D7]Bay

Singing [G]songs of love and hope and [C]freedom

While [G]time has [D7]slowly slipped [G]away

Have you noticed the policemen getting younger
And the busmen they’re getting younger too
While all my friends are getting older
I have stayed the same, you know it’s true

Chorus:

And Janie Mac I’m nearly forty I think my hair is turning grey
I’ll be on the pension very shortly And how I long for yesterday
We’re so long together it’s a record

We should be in the Guinness Book of Fame
For twenty five long years we’ve been together
And just for spite we’ll do the same again

But there’s silver threads in Tom’s whiskers
And Derek with the beard he’s getting bald
While though he’s getting kind of grumpy
While I, I’m not just getting old

Chorus

So all you knockers and begrudgers
You will admit we have that touch of class
If not, we’ll send you our new record
And you can stick it up your …

Today’s Irish Pub Song of the Day is Janie Mac I’m Nearly 40. I absolutely love this song and it’s easy to change the words to reflect your own life, friends and family. Don’t be afraid to sing the song and have fun with it.

Janie Mac(PDF)

Janie Mac I’m Nearly Forty

Well, [G]I’ve been singing most my [C]lifetime

Of [G]Rockall, Strong Men and Botany [D7]Bay

Singing [G]songs of love and hope and [C]freedom

While [G]time has [D7]slowly slipped [G]away

Have you noticed the policemen getting younger
And the busmen they’re getting younger too
While all my friends are getting older
I have stayed the same, you know it’s true

Chorus:

And Janie Mac I’m nearly forty I think my hair is turning grey
I’ll be on the pension very shortly And how I long for yesterday
We’re so long together it’s a record

We should be in the Guinness Book of Fame
For twenty five long years we’ve been together
And just for spite we’ll do the same again

But there’s silver threads in Tom’s whiskers
And Derek with the beard he’s getting bald
While though he’s getting kind of grumpy
While I, I’m not just getting old

Chorus

So all you knockers and begrudgers
You will admit we have that touch of class
If not, we’ll send you our new record
And you can stick it up your …

I have some really exciting news for everyone. Irish Pub Songs For The 5-String Banjo Vol. 1 is done and on it’s way to the printer!!! It should be ready in the next couple of weeks. I have also started Folk Songs For The 5-String Banjo Vol. 1 and hope to have it out by June!!

Starting next week, Monday will be The Irish Pub Song Of The Day, Tuesday will be The Folk Song Of The Week. On Wednesday, I’ll go over the simple melody for both songs. Thursday will be accompaniment for The Irish Pub Song Of The Day and Friday will be accompaniment for The Folk Song Of The Week.