Old Riley's Daughter
Here's a kids-friendly version of a more bawdy Irish song that's thought to date back to the 18th century....
Old Riley's Daughter
Traditional Song
As I was sittin' by the fire
Thinking of old Riley's daughter,
Suddenly a thought come into my mind
I'd like to marry old Riley's daughter.
(Chorus)
Giddy-i-ay, giddy-i-ay, giddy-i-ay
To the one-eyed Riley,
Giddy-i-ay, (Action: knock, knock, knock)
Play it on your old bass drum.
Riley played on a big bass drum
Riley had a mind for murder and slaughter
Riley had a bright, red, glittering eye,
He kept that eye on his lovely daughter.
(Chorus)
Her hair was black and her eyes were blue,
The colonel and the major and the captain sought her,
The sergeant and the private and the drummer boy too
Never had a chance with Riley's daughter.
(Chorus)
I got me a ring and a parson too
I got me a scratch in the married quarter,
Settled me down to the peaceful life
Happy as a king with Riley's daughter.
(Chorus)
Suddenly a footstep on the stairs,
Who should it be but Riley up for slaughter
With two pistols in his hands
Looking for the man who had married his daughter.
(Chorus)
I grabbed old Riley by the hair
Rammed his head in a pail of water,
Fired his pistols into the air
A darn sight quicker than I married his daughter.
(Chorus)
Thanks!
