Dennis O'Reilly

Traditional




My name is Dennis O'Reilly,
From Dublin town I come,
To travel the wide world over
I crossed the Australian main.

Chorus:
With me pack all on me shoulder
And a blackthorn in my hand
I'll travel the bush of Australia
Like a true-born Irishman.

When I arrived in Melbourne
All the girls all jumped for joy,
Saying one unto the mother,
“Here comes me Irish boy.”

Chorus:
With a pack all on his shoulder
And a blackthorn in his hand
I'll travel the bush of Australia
With a true-born Irishman.

“Oh daughter, dearest daughter,
What is it you would do?
Now would you marry an Irish man,
A man you never knew?

“Oh mother, dear mother,
Sure I'll do the best I can,
I'll travel the wide world over
With me true-born Irishman.”

Chorus:
With a pack all on his shoulder
And a blackthorn in his hand
I'll travel the wide world over
With a true-born Irishman.


From the singing of Shirley Collins, on her 1958 album, False True Lovers.