IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR THE IRISH

from
 "Little Nellie Kelly" 1940 film
 
Roger Edens  1940

as recorded by Judy Garland 
with David Rose & his Orchestra  
December 18th, 1940
 Hollywood

also rec by -
Freddy Martin & his Orch '40
Ruby Murray '55
Judy Garland w Norrie Paramor & his Orch '60
The Clancy Bros
Connie Francis
Dennis Martin
Daniel O'Donnell
Carmel Quinn


Oh I woke me up this mornin' and I heard a joyful song
>From the throats of happy Irishmen a hundred thousand strong.
Sure it was the Hibernian brigade,
Lining up for to start the big parade.

So I fetched me Sunday bonnet and the flag I love so well,
And I bought meself a shamrock just to wear in me lapel.
Don't you know that today's March seventeen?
It's the day for the wearin' of the green.

It's a great day for the Irish,
It's a great day for fair.
The sidewalks of New York are thick with blarney,
For sure you'd think New York was Old Killarney!

It's a great day for the shamrock,
For the flags in full array.
We're feelin' so inspirish,
Sure, because the all the Irish,
It's a great great day!

Begosh, and begorrah, every Irish son and daughter,
Every good old Irish name and his relation;
Tey come from Tipperary, Donegal and County Kerry,
But they all are here to join the celebration.

Now there's Terence O'Toole and his cousin Phil O'Doherty,
Patrick O'Bogle and Mullin McGrew,
Mike Maley, Tim Dayley and Barney O'Flagherty,
Danny O'Doolan and Shamus Carewe.

Conleys and Donleys and Padraic O'Bannigan,
Ryans, O'Briens, McLaughlans and Lynch,
McGloans and McFaddens and Mister Pat Flanaghan,
Hogans and Glogans, McPhersons and Finch.

It's a great day for the Irish,
It's a great day for fair.
Begosh there's not a cop to stop a raiding,
Begorrah all the cops are out parading!

It's a great day for the shamrock,
For the flags in full array,
And as we go a-swingin'
Every Irish heart is singin',
It's a great great day!




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - October 2012)