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The Ballad of Seamus MacGregor (Irish Drinking Song)

from .​.​.​Makes Another Record! by Back Up Jackson

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lyrics

SPOKEN: How many o' ya know the story of ol' Seamus MacGregor? If ye know the words, raise a pint an' sing along wid us.

Staggered out to the gutter with a knife in his back,
Ol' Seamus was a-dyin'.
Three sheets to the wind, so he didn't see his end,
and now he won't be home in the morning.

Seamus MacGregor was a tough Scottish sod
But it's always the same in the end
Nobody like s a bully and a bully was he
And he died with nary a friend.

<4 blasts guitar and horns, then HORN THEME>

Straight off the boat from Scotland, an' down the pier,
Seamus waltzed straight into a bar.
Sayin' 'I'm the Best, of that there's no contest.
I'll take on any comers near or far.'

He was a barroom villain, all surly and mean,
So a fight wasn't hard to come by,
'Bout the only time he'd grin, was when he was fightin',
An' he'd get to mangle some unlucky guy.

CHORUS: Seamus the Hammer was his name in the streets,
And it's always the same in the end.
Nobody likes a bully, but a bully was he.
And he lived his life with nary a friend.

Seamus was a loner, no pals of his own,
And he didna seem to mind.
Always quick with the lip, 'fore his mood would flip.
Trouble wasn't ever hard to find.

He was known as a brawler with the shortest fuse.
Always quick to see red.
Once enraged, his temper couldna be caged
Short of a busted beer bottle to the head.

CHORUS: Seamus the Hammer was a tough Scottish sod,
But it's always the same in the end.
Nobody likes a bully, but a bully was he.
And he grew old with nary a friend.

Well, ol' Seamus one evenin' went out to the bar,
All the patrons cowered a-way.
Cept' a nervous lad named Rick, who with a clumsy flick,
Got his knife ready for his prey.

Rick waited for the moment when Seamus was drunk,
So he couldna mount a de-fense.
Then his blade plunged in, from the crowd an awful din,
As Seamus got his comeupance.

CHORUS: Seamus the Hammer was bleedin' in the streets.
And it's always the same in the end.
Nobody likes a bully, but a bully was he.
And he died with nary a friend.

So, we hoped ye liked our story and took it to heart,
Drunk and mean ain't no way for livin'.
Next time ye grab a beer, better spread around the cheer.
An' it might be yer life ye be savin'.

If ye gotta be a bother, don't go it alone.
Seamus' tale don't be ignorin'.
Bring a mate (or eight) and ye might avoid this fate.
So Buck-o better heed me warnin'.

CHORUS: Seamus the Hammer was his name in the streets,
And it's always the same in the end.
Nobody likes a bully, but a bully was he.
And he died with nary a friend.

CHORUS REPEAT: Seamus the Hammer was his name in the streets,
And it's always the same in the end.
Nobody likes a bully, but a bully was he.
And he died with nary a friend.

credits

from .​.​.​Makes Another Record!, released May 31, 2014
Jay Butkowski - lead vocals, tin whistle
Rob Nelson - trumpet
Greg Grispart - tenor / alto sax
Dave Rattner - trombone
Reggie Dizon - keyboards
Rob Butkowski - rhythm & lead guitar
Dayv Frost - bass guitar, accordion, mandolin, bodhran, acoustic guitar
Mike Lamagna - drums, "1-2-3-4"
Featuring:
Mark Mangus - violin, additional recording
Shawn Struck - additional Irish talkin'

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Back Up Jackson New Jersey

Jersey Ska band Back Up Jackson was formed in the winter of 2001 and has played colleges and clubs, bars and backyards, bringing their mix of high-energy virtuosity and eclectic influences to audiences in Central Jersey and beyond. The band blends elements of third-wave ska, jazz, blues, R&B, rock, and punk to create a sound all their own. ... more

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