Mrs McGraw "Mrs. McGraw"" (also known as Mrs. McGrath", "My Son Ted", and "The Sergeant and Mrs. McGrath") is an Irish folk song set during the Peninsular War of the early nineteenth century. The general theme of the song is one of opposition to war. It was very popular among the Irish Volunteers in the years leading up to 1916, and has been recorded by many singers and folk groups. Music by - The Jolly Rogers Lyrics "Oh, Mrs. McGraw", the captain said, "Would you like to make a pirate out of your son, Ted? With a scarlet cloak and a fine cocked hat, Oh, Mrs. McGraw wouldn't you like that?" With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah Now Mrs. McGraw lived on the seashore, for the space of seven long years or more, When she spied a ship sailing into the bay, "It's my son Teddy, would you clear the way." With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah "Now my dear captain, where have you been? Have you been out sailin' on the Medit-ter-in? Have you any news of my son Ted? Is the poor boy livin' or is he dead?" With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah Then up the steps Ted, without any legs, And in their place, there were two wooden pegs. She kissed him a dozen times or two, Crying "Holy Moses, it couldn't be you!" With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah "Now was ya drunk, or was ya blind, When you left your two fine legs behind? Or was it out walking upon the sea, That tore your legs, from the knees away?" With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah "No, I wasn't drunk, no I wasn't blind, When I left my two fine legs behind. But a big cannonball on the fifth of May, Tore my two fine legs from my knees away." With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah "Now Teddy, me boy", the old widow cried, Your two fine legs were your mommy's pride. The stumps of a tree won't do at all, Why didn't you run from that big cannonball?" With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah "All foreign wars, I do profane, Between Don John and the King of Spain. I'd rather have my Teddy as he used to be, Than the King of France and his whole navy!" With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah With me too-rye-yaah Foddle-diddle-daah Too-rye, oh-rye, oh-rye-yaah MAIN MENU / NEXT SONG |