Digital Tradition Mirror

McAlpines Crew

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

McAlpines Crew

You roving blades and winsome maids that hopes to emigrate
To England's soil to work and toil and wealth accumulate
Consider well before you go what lies in store for you
Take my advice and think twice 'ere you join McAlpine's crew

From Dun Laoghaire quay I sailed away all in the month of June
The boat it sped and Hollyhead it was in full view soon
To Camden town I then went down my work for to pursue
To carry bricks and mortar mix all in McAlpine's crew

The foreman's bark from dawn to dark was "Boys make no delay
For if you do I'm telling you, I'll dock it from your pay"
The Sunday Mass to him alas was something rather new
Likewise to many other boys all in McAlpine's crew

From dawn to dark each day I'd work, each day that God did send
For to make a bob and keep me job, for on it I did depend
Until at length it broke my strength, consumption followed too
And a lonely man lay in the sand, and cursed McAlpine's crew

And now at last I'm back at home, I'm back in Aughamore
And, truth to tell, I'm getting well , much wiser than before
Oh Camden Town on you I frown - its no wonder that I do
So in God's own land I'll make me stand and curse McAlpine's crew.

Note: Two other verses exist. Air is "Skibereen".
MR
apr97

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!