"It's A Long Way to Tipperary," 1912 English Music Hall favorite & World War I song

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Description

This is an English Music Hall favorite that came to be strongly associated with World War I; though the song premiered pre-War in 1912 and the lyric makes no mention of war, its nostalgia for one's rural homeland was appealing during wartime. The song was used as a soldiers' marching song, though it was perhaps enjoyed most of all by civilians who were removed from the worst aspects of the War and liked to imagine their soldiers returning home. The song has been featured in numerous documentaries, movies and other media about or set during World War I.

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The song is credited to Irishmen Jack Judge and Harry Williams; Judge was amusic hall performer and gave its first public performance. The song became popular in 1914 when Irish tenor John McCormack recorded it.

Lyric:
Up to mighty London came an Irish lad one day
As the streets were paved with gold, sure everyone was gay
Singing songs of Piccadilly, Strand, and Leicester Square
Till Paddy got excited and he shouted to them there

It's a long way to Tipperary
It's a long way to go
It's a long way to Tipperary
To the sweetest girl I know
Goodbye, Piccadilly
Farewell, Leicester Square
It's a long, long way to Tipperary
But my heart's right there

Paddy wrote a letter to his Irish Molly O'
Saying, "Should you not receive it, write and let me know
If I make mistakes in spelling, Molly, dear," said he
"Remember it's the pen that's bad, don't lay the blame on me."

Molly wrote a neat reply to Irish Paddy O'
Saying, "Mike Maloney wants to marry me and so
Leave the Strand and Piccadilly, or you'll be to blame
For love has fairly drove me silly, hoping you're the same"