It's a Long Way to Tipperary
It's a Long Way to Tipperary
Original Text
It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary.
Written by Jack Judge and composed by Harry Williams.
Number 549. London: B. Feldman, 1912.
1Up to mighty London came an Irishman one day,
5 [Chorus] It's a long way to Tipperary,
6 It's a long way to go;
7 It's a long way to Tipperary
8 To the sweetest girl I know!
9 Goodbye Piccadilly,
10 Farewell, Leicester Square,
11 It's a long, long way to Tipperary,
12 But my heart's right there!
13 Paddy wrote a letter to his Irish Molly O',
14 Saying, "Should you not receive it, write and let me know!"
15"If I make mistakes in 'spelling,' Molly, dear," said he,
16"Remember it's the pen that's bad, don't lay the blame on me."
17Molly wrote a neat reply to Irish Paddy O',
18Saying, "Mike Maloney wants to marry me, and so
19Leave the Strand and Piccadilly, or you'll be to blame,
20For love has fairly drove me silly, hoping you're the same."
Notes
2] gay: happy. Back to Line
3] Piccadilly: a major street in Westminster, London, at this timehome to mansions of the very rich.Strand: another major thoroughfare in Westminster known for its palaces and great houses.Leicester Square: east of Piccadilly Circus, and part of London's west end, the entertainment district. Back to Line
4] Paddy: an Irishman. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1912
Publication Notes
First sung on the British music hall stage by Florrie Forde. The song was first recorded on November 1914 by John McCormack.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire, assisted by Ana Berdinskikh
RPO Edition
2009
Rhyme
Form