The coat she wore still lies upon the bed
The book I gave her that she never read
She left without a single word to say
Her father didn't like me anyway

She always wanted more than I could give
Cause she wasn't happy with the way we lived
I suppose I should have begged with her to stay
Her father didn't like me anyway

And Oh! Daddy didn't like the clothes I wear
And Oh! Daddy didn't like my hair
I suppose that if we tried to we could have found something to say
But daddy didn't even care

To tell the truth I didn't have the nerve
And I'm only getting just what I deserve
She left without a single word today
Her father was a right c*** anyway

From a county Mayo town came a man of great renown
As a sailor and a soldier was none bolder
He went to America at an early age they say
As a cabin boy to sail the wide world over

Then adventure took him south to the De La Plata mouth
San Martin was on the route in Argentina
So three whaling ships he bought and Brazil and Spain he fought
And freedom then he sought for Argentina

Now Admiral William Brown you're a man of courage shown
And in battles fought the odds were all against you
But your Irish heart was strong and in memory still lives on
And in Ireland there are some that don't forget you

On St. Patrick's day it's told you had many victories bold
You defeated all invaders thugs and bullys
Then through the Pampas rose and you found a happy home
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

He had heard of Irish hands in noble gallant bands
That helped to free the land called Argentina
He had heard with great acclaim the Patricios name and fame
When in 1806 the British came for slaughter

And to this very day in the Argentine they say
The English ran away from Buenos Aires
To the islands further down and they took them for the crown
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

We remember William Brown and his land of great renown
He, invader of the islands from your country
When in 1833 were by pirates forced to flee
And in Ireland sure we know the story fully

And the people that went too to the Argentine when new
To escape the English laws and wars and famine
They had proved a loyal crew just like all the Irish do
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

The old colonial days and cruel English ways
With her thunder plunder we will teach the natives
For the Brits are going to war just like Whitelocke did before
With her ships and guns and drums and flags and banners

In the Empire days of old when they murdered for gold
And paraded it around the streets of London
Oh no human rights were given to the natives dead or living
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

In the Argentine he died Father Fahey by his side
'57 was the year his country mourned him
A hero of the nation he's remembered with elation
Throughout the world where freedom still abounds

And the Southern Cross take note where bold Willie Bullfin wrote
The Irish still support you Argentina
With the Empire tumbling down let no Paddies back the crown
"Las Islas Malvinas, Argentinas"

A special request for one of our readers, Sile Martin. 'Factory Girl' was sung by Margaret Barry, a renowned street singer from Cork who sang the traditional folk songs and ballads of Ireland through the 50s and 60s.






Early one morning as the sun was adorning,
The birds on the bushes did warble and sing,
Gay lads and young lasses in couples were sporting
In yonder green valley, their work to begin.

I spied one among them, she was fairer than any,
Her cheeks like the red rose that none can excel,
Her skin like the lily that grows in yon valley,
And she's only a hard-working factory girl.

I stepped up to her, more closely to view her,
When on me she cast a look of disdain,Saying,
"Stand off me and do not come near me
I work for my living and think it no shame."

"It's not for to scorn you, fair maid, I adorn you,
But grant me one favour, love: where do you dwell?"
"Kind sir, you'll excuse me, for now I must leave you,
For yonder's the sound of my factory bell."

"I have lands, I have houses adorned with ivy,
I have gold in my pocket and silver as well,
And if you'll go with me, a lady I'll make you,
So try and say yes, my dear factory girl."

"Love and sensation rules many a nation,
To many a lady perhaps you'll do well;
For I am an orphan, neither friend nor relation,
I'm only a hard-working factory girl."

It's true I did love her, but now she won't have me,
And all for her sake I'll go wonder a while
Over high hills and valleys where none shall know me,
I'll mourn for the sake of my factory girl.

Now this maid she's got married, become a great lady,
Became a rich lady of fame and renown,
She may bless the day and the bright summer's morning
She met with the squire and on him did frown.

It's now to conclude and to finish those verses:
It's may they live happy and may they do well,
Come fill up your glasses and drink to the lasses
That attend the sweet sound of the factory bell.

Peggy Gordon is a beautiful Scots song about a broken-hearted lover. It has been sung by many Irish artists including The Dubliners and The Corrs.

O Peggy Gordon
You are my darling
Come sit you down upon my knee
And tell to me the very reason
Why I am slighted so by thee

I am so deep in love that I can't deny it
My heart lies smothered in my breast
But it's not for you to let the whole world know it
A troubled mind can find no rest

I leaned myself on a cask of brandy
It was my fancy, I do declare
For when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking
Wishing Peggy Gordon was there

I wished I was in a lonesome valley
Where womankind cannot be found
And the pretty little birds do change their voices
And every moment a different sound

I wish I was away in Ingo
Far away across the briny sea
Sailing over deepest waters
Where love nor care never trouble me

When, like the dawning day Eileen Aroon
Love sends his early ray Eileen Aroon.

What makes his dawning glow
Changeless through joy and woe
Only the constant know Eileen Aroon.

Were she no longer true Eileen Aroon
What would her lover do Eileen Aroon.

Fly with a broken chain
Far o'er the bounding main
Never to love again Eileen Aroon.

Youth must in time decay Eileen Aroon
Beauty must fade away Eileen Aroon.

Castles are sacked in war
Chieftains are scattered far
Truth is a fixed star Eileen Aroon.