My name is John O ‘Halloran, and I’m eighty-one years old. I left my boyhood days behind, for to search for fame and gold. I left my home in Tralee town, in my twenty-second year. I would dig the gold on England’s shore, and I’d make my fortune there. The weary months in search of work, the tramp through street and road, A shake-me-down in Camden Town, it was my first abode. No friendly glance to cheer my heart, no man to shake my hand, No easy gold only rain and cold, in this God Forsaken land. Go down that trench Proud Irishman, for you are strong and big, Go take that shovel by the neck, spit on your hands and dig. Tear out the guts from Mother Earth, from the dawn till fading light, In the nearest pub you’ll spend your sub, and you’ll hate and love and fight. I have tramped around this country now, for fifty years or more, I’ve met some women in my time, the good one and the whore. I’ve tramped it down to Preston town, I have skippered in the rain, I’ve cursed and prayed, I’ve been poorly paid, I’ve known hunger, joy and pain. I loved a girl in Liverpool, a sweet one from Mayo, I’ve slept with girls from Tiger Bay, with teeth like virgin snow. I have ate my foods in small sheebeens, and I’ve drunk the porter black, A dirty bed for to lay my head, where the lice crawled up my back. My bones are getting weary now, and my shoulders they are bent, My once black hair is grey with care and my money is all spent. Soon Sargent Death will call me home, and he’ll take me by the hand, Far from Tralee Town, lay my body down, in this God forsaken land. To all the men who dig it out, adieu my friends, adieu, To young and old, in search of gold, I raise my glass to you. Go down that trench Proud Irishman, take the shovel in your hand, There’s no easy gold only rain and cold, in this God forsaken land.
Amazing. My name is O'Halloran. Son of Irish immigrants. Some of the tales my Dad told me aren't too dissimilar to the lyrics in this song. That guy sings with passion. Lovely to hear.
what a treat! i learned this song myself years ago! always one of my favourites!! God bless your Dad!! He sang beautifully!! the story of the Irish!! Thank you!
Love this, stumbled across it while attempting to look up my roots. We pretty much have Limited knowledge after 4 generations in New Zealand. Have past this on to my Uncle Don, hes right up your Dads alley! . Very sad to feel like I had just met this man & lost him in half a day... Big Kiaora to his family for sharing. Marty O'Halloran
thanks very much. I'm glad i got him singing it before he died. Something to remember. He wasn't at his best in this video. Years ago he had an even better voice.
First class god be with him
My name is John O ‘Halloran, and I’m eighty-one years old.
I left my boyhood days behind, for to search for fame and gold.
I left my home in Tralee town, in my twenty-second year.
I would dig the gold on England’s shore, and I’d make my fortune there.
The weary months in search of work, the tramp through street and road,
A shake-me-down in Camden Town, it was my first abode.
No friendly glance to cheer my heart, no man to shake my hand,
No easy gold only rain and cold, in this God Forsaken land.
Go down that trench Proud Irishman, for you are strong and big,
Go take that shovel by the neck, spit on your hands and dig.
Tear out the guts from Mother Earth, from the dawn till fading light,
In the nearest pub you’ll spend your sub, and you’ll hate and love and fight.
I have tramped around this country now, for fifty years or more,
I’ve met some women in my time, the good one and the whore.
I’ve tramped it down to Preston town, I have skippered in the rain,
I’ve cursed and prayed, I’ve been poorly paid,
I’ve known hunger, joy and pain.
I loved a girl in Liverpool, a sweet one from Mayo,
I’ve slept with girls from Tiger Bay, with teeth like virgin snow.
I have ate my foods in small sheebeens, and I’ve drunk the porter black,
A dirty bed for to lay my head, where the lice crawled up my back.
My bones are getting weary now, and my shoulders they are bent,
My once black hair is grey with care and my money is all spent.
Soon Sargent Death will call me home, and he’ll take me by the hand,
Far from Tralee Town, lay my body down, in this God forsaken land.
To all the men who dig it out, adieu my friends, adieu,
To young and old, in search of gold, I raise my glass to you.
Go down that trench Proud Irishman, take the shovel in your hand,
There’s no easy gold only rain and cold, in this God forsaken land.
this gives me the goosebumps.his voice is great.
from John O'Halloran
Amazing. My name is O'Halloran. Son of Irish immigrants. Some of the tales my Dad told me aren't too dissimilar to the lyrics in this song. That guy sings with passion. Lovely to hear.
what a treat! i learned this song myself years ago! always one of my favourites!! God bless your Dad!! He sang beautifully!! the story of the Irish!!
Thank you!
If that wasn't his best, I would have loved to have heard him before. God bless him and you.
Love this, stumbled across it while attempting to look up my roots. We pretty much have Limited knowledge after 4 generations in New Zealand. Have past this on to my Uncle Don, hes right up your Dads alley! . Very sad to feel like I had just met this man & lost him in half a day... Big Kiaora to his family for sharing. Marty O'Halloran
Best thing ive ever heard RIP big man lovely stuff
GREAT SINGER OF THIS SONG
My Great-Grandfather's name was John O'Halloran.
Great listening. His personality comes across as lively and humorous! Glad you recorded it.Moira Leddy.
this is beautiful. his voice is incredible!!
still my favourite version.
thanks very much. I'm glad i got him singing it before he died. Something to remember. He wasn't at his best in this video. Years ago he had an even better voice.
Super stuff just reading some of the comments, RIP. Was this gent from the north?
+Sean Mac Corraidh He was indeed, country Armagh
Klass rick. I never got to hear him
bula bos
Tiocfaidh Ar La
maith thú.