The Dubliners - Master Mcgrath

Master McGrath

O' eighteen sixty nine being the date and the year
Those Waterloo sportsmen and more did appear
For to gain the great prizes and bear them awa'
Never counting on Ireland and Master McGrath

On the twelfth of November, that day of renown
McGrath and his keeper they left Lurgan Town
A gale in the Channel it soon drove them o'er
On the thirteenth they landed on England's fair shore

Oh, well when they arrived there in big London Town
Those great English sportsmen they all gathered round
And one of those gentlemen standing nearby
Said 'Is that the great dog you call Master McGrath'

Oh well one of those gentlemen standing around
Says: 'I don't care a damn for your Irish greyhound
And another he sneered with a scornful 'Ha ha'
We'll soon humble the pride of your Master McGrath

Lord Lurgan came forward and said: 'Gentlemen
If there's any amongst you has money to spend
For your grand English nobles I don't care a straw
Here's five thousand to one upon Master McGrath

Oh, McGrath he looked up and he wagged his old tail
Informing his lordship, 'Sure I know what you mane
Don't fear noble Brownlow, don't fear them a gra'
We'll soon tarnish their laurels', says Master McGrath

Oh well Rose stood uncovered, the great English pride
Her master and keeper were close by her side
They let them away and the crowd cried: 'Hurrah'
For the pride of all England and Master McGrath

Oh, well Rose and the Master they both ran along
'I wonder' says Rose, 'What took you from home?'
You should have stayed there in your Irish domain
And not come to gain laurels on Albion's plain

'Well I know' says the Master, 'We have wild heather bogs
But, bedad, in old Ireland there's good men and dogs
Lead on, bold Britannia; give none of your jaw
Stuff that up your nostrils' says Master McGrath

Well the hare she led on just as swift as the wind
He was sometimes before her and sometimes behind
He jumped on her back and held up his ould paw
'Long live the Republic', says Master McGrath