Burl Ives - Mrs. McGrath



"Now, Mrs. McGrath," the sergeant said, 

"Would you like to make a soldier 

Out of your son, Ted? 

With a scarlet cloak and a fine cocked hat, 

Mrs. McGrath wouldn't you like that?" 



Mrs. McGrath lived on the seashore 

For the span of seven long years or more 

'Till she saw big ship sailing into the bay 

Saying,"Here's my son Ted! Won't you clear the way!" 



"Oh, Captain dear, where have you been. 

Have you been out sailin' on the Meditereen'. 

Tell me the news of my son Ted. 

Is the poor boy livin' or is he dead?" 



Now up comes Ted without any legs 

And in their place he has two wooden pegs 

She kissed him a dozen times or two 

Saying "Holly Molly! Sure, it couldn't be you?" 



"Now was you drunk or was you blind 

When you left your two fine legs behind? 

Or was it out walking upon the sea 

That tore your legs from the ground to the knee?" 



"No I wasn't drunk and I wasn't blind 

When I left my two fine legs behind. 

For a cannon ball on the fifth of May 

Took my two fine legs from the knees away." 



"Now Teddy me boy," the old widow cried 

"Your two fine legs was your mama's pride 

Them stumps of a tree won't do at all 

Why didn't you run from the big cannon ball?" 



"Now against all war, I do profrain 

Between Don Juan and the King of Spain 

And, by herrons, I'll make 'em rue the time 

When they swept the legs from a child of mine."