David Kincaid & The Brandos - "Paddy's Lamentation"

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This song, “Paddy’s Lamentation,” is a very sad, somber and excruciatingly beautiful reminder of the dire and grim consequences of civil war. It began as a broadside ballad entitled “Pat in America,” published in Britain and Ireland in the 1860s, and has remained in the Irish tradition under this current title. If I could write songs like this, the history of my career would read very differently..

I had forgotten I had this video, recorded during the 2004 European tour of “Songs of the Irish Volunteers,” in Sonderborg, Denmark on February 14, 2004. Along with myself, the band featured Frank Giordano - Guitar, Vocal and Harmonica, Ernie Mendillo - Bass, Vocals, and Christopher Layer - Uilleann Pipes, Flute and Whistle. The song was included on my first studio album of this material, “The Irish Voluteer,” available from Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and most of the other download and streaming services. https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Volunteer-David-Kincaid/dp/B07NVR49MG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=David+Kincaid&qid=1587318178&s=dmusic&sr=1-1

PADDY'S LAMENTATION (Traditional)

And its by the hush, Me Boys
I'm sure that's to hold your noise
And listen to poor Paddy's lamentation
I was by hunger pressed
And by poverty distressed
When I took the thought I'd leave the Irish nation

So I sold me horse and plow
Sold me sheep, me pigs and sow
Me little farm of land and I we parted
And me sweetheart Biddy Magee
I'm afeared I'll never see
For I left her on that mornin' quite broken hearted

And here's you Boys, do take my advice
To Americay I'll have you not be comin'
For there's nothin' here but war
Where the murderin' cannons roar
And I wish I was back home
In dear old Ireland

So me and a hundred more
To Americay sailed o'er
Our fortunes to be makin' we were thinkin'
But when we landed in Yankee-Land
They stuck a musket in me hands
Sayin' "Paddy, you must go and fight for Lincoln"

General Meagher to us said
"If you get shot, or you lose your leg
Every mother's son of you will get a pension"
But in the war I lost my leg
And all I got's a wooden peg
Oh Me Boys, it is the truth to you I mention

Chorus

Now, I'd have thought meself in luck
To be fed an Indian buck
And in Ireland the land that I delight in
But by the Devil I do say
Curse Americay
For I'm sure I've had enough of your hard fightin'

Chorus