The Wren Boys

La an Dreonilin

Up with the Wren Boys

The wren, oh the wren; he's the king of all birds,
On St. Stevens day he got caught in the furze,
So it's up with the kettle and it's down with the pan,
Won't you give us a penny for to bury the wren!
(Lilting)

Well it's Christmas time; that's why we're here,
Please be good enough to give us an ear,
For we'll sing and we'll dance if you give us a chance,
And we won't be comin' back for another whole year!
(lilting)

We'll play Kerry polkas; they're real hot stuff,
We'll play the Masons Apron and the Pinch of Snuff,
Jon Maronley's jig and the Donegal reel,
Music made to put a spring in your heel!
(lilting)

If there's a drink in the house, would it make itself known,
Before I sing a song called "The Banks of the Lowne",
And I'll drink with you with occasion in it,
For me poor dry throat and I'll sing like a linnet!
(lilting)

Oh please give us something for the little birds wake,
A big lump of pudding or some Christmas cake,
A fist full o' goose and a hot cup o' tay (Tea),
And then we'll all be goin' on our way!
(lilting)

The wren, oh the wren; he's the king of all birds,
On St. Stevens day he got caught in the furze,
So it's up with the kettle and it's down with the pan,
Won't you give us a penny for to bury the wren!

The West Clare Wren Boys

The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,
On St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze,
Although he is little, his family is great,
I pray you, good landlady, give us a treat.

My box would speak, if it had but a tongue,
And two or three shillings, would do it not wrong,
Sing holly, sing ivy--sing ivy, sing holly,
A drop just to drink, it would drown melancholy.

And if you draw it of the best,
I hope in heaven your soul will rest;
But if you draw it of the small,
It won't agree with these wren boys at all

http://youtu.be/4WvhPtiarW4