'TWAS ONLY AN IRISHMAN'S DREAM
From the Broadway comedy "Broadway And Buttermilk" (1916)
(Music: Rennie Cormack / Lyrics: John J. O'Brien & Al Dubin)
Blanche Ring (Broadway Production) - 1916
Henry Burr - 1916
George Wilton Ballard - 1917
Billy Murray with Harry's Tavern Band - 1940
Dick Haymes - 1946
Also recorded by: Willie Brady; Glen Daly; Mick Moloney
ORIGINAL LYRICS:
Sure you should have seen the scene I saw
'Twas just the other night
Oh, I 've never seen the likes of it
'Twas such a pleasant sight
I was happy for a moment
But now I'm feeling blue
For what I saw, I'll see no more
'Twas too good to be true
Sure the shamrocks were growing on Broadway
Ev'ry girl was an Irish colleen
And the town of New York was the county of Cork
All the buildings were painted green
Sure the Hudson looked just like the Shannon
Oh, how good and how real it did seem
I could hear Mother singing, the sweet Shannon bells ringin'
'Twas only an Irishman's dream
Sure you never miss familiar scenes
Until you've been away
You will never know what homeland means
Till you're away to stay
And you welcome each reminder
Of the places that you miss
I'll give the world to dream again
Another dream like this
Sure the shamrocks were growing on Broadway
Ev'ry girl was an Irish colleen
And the town of New York was the county of Cork
All the buildings were painted green
Sure the Hudson looked just like the Shannon
Oh, how good and how real it did seem
I could hear Mother singing, the sweet Shannon bells ringin'
'Twas only an Irishman's dream
********************
AS USUALLY RECORDED:
Sure I've roamed this wide world over
And of all the lands I've seen
There's no place I'd rather dwell in
Than my little isle of green
Only last night I was gazing
On a sight that thrilled me through
But what I saw I'll see no more
'Twas too good to be true
Sure the shamrocks were growing on Broadway
Every girl was an Irish colleen
And the town of New York was the county of Cork
All the buildings were painted green
Sure the Hudson looked just like the Shannon
Oh, how good and how real it did seem
I could hear mother singin', the Shannon bells ringin'
'Twas only an Irishman's dream
(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - April 2018)
