ALL OF IT
(Garry Ó Briain)

Skylark - 1979
Wild Mountain Thyme - 2001
Munnelly Flaherty Masure - 2006




Oh, dear, what's the matter, they're rowin' and squabblin'
There seems to be something awry
For the last forty nights they've been having a fight
And we always can hear the same cry 

Give me all of it, all of it, not just a bit of it
None of your quarters, your thirds or your halves
For the long and the tall, and the rise and the fall of it
All of it, all of it, all 

The Priest at the altar was noticed to falter
And he seemed to be weak at the knees
When the Deacon poured drops of red wine from his cups
We could make out his virtuous pleas

Give me all of it, all of it, not just a bit of it
None of your quarters, your thirds or your halves
For the long and the tall, and the rise and the fall of it
All of it, all of it, all

The fiddler was playin' below in the kitchen
In the wee after hours that are best
When he left out a beat in the turn of the reel
And the dancers all stopped to request

Give me all of it, all of it, not just a bit of it
None of your quarters, your thirds or your halves
For the long and the tall, and the rise and the fall of it
All of it, all of it, all 

The barman was spilling, and wiping and spilling
And the drinkers discussed this and that
When his thumb in the measure he aroused their displeasure
And he brought this response from one pat

Give me all of it, all of it, not just a bit of it
None of your quarters, your thirds or your halves
For the long and the tall, and the rise and the fall of it
All of it, all of it, all 

Now I've not the gumption nor hard neck to finish
This song's nothing less than obscene
But I trust your good taste, and I know you won't waste
Yours and my precious time if you scream

Give me all of it, all of it, not just a bit of it
None of your quarters, your thirds or your halves
For the long and the tall, and the rise and the fall of it
All of it, all of it, all


EXTRA VERSE written by Betsy McGovern: 

The barmaid was filling and wiping and spilling
While the drinkers all guzzled and sipped
When the man paid his check and he took back his change
She had this response to his tip

Give me all of it, all of it, not just a bit of it
None of your quarters, your thirds or your halves
For the long and the tall, and the rise and the fall of it
All of it, all of it, all










(Contributed by Mel - December 2010)