| lyric | 1. Eighteen sixty nine bein' the date of the year,
those Waterloo sportsmen and more did appear,
For to gain the great prizes and bear themn away,
never counting in Ireland and Master McGrath.
2. On the twelfth of December, that day of renown,
McGrath and his keeper they left Lurgan town,
A gate in the Channel, it soon drove them o’er,
On the thirteenth day they landed on fair England’s shore.
3. And when they arrived there in big London town,
Those great English sportsmen they all gathered round,
And some of the gentlemen gave a “Ha, ha,”
Saying: “Is that the great dog you call Master McGrath?”
4. Then Lord Lurgan came fonIvard and said: “Gentlemen,
If there’s any amongst you has money to spend,
For your nobles of England I don’t care a straw,
Here’s five thousand to one upon Master McGrath.”
5. Then McGrath he looked up and wagged his old tail,
Informing his Lordship: “I know what you mane,
Don’t fear noble Brownlow, don’t fear them agra,
For I’II tarnish their laurels,” says Master McGrath.
6. And Rose stood uncovered, the great English pride,
Her master and keeper were close by her side,
They have her away and the crowd cried: “Hurrah!”
For the pride of all England and Master McGrath.
7. As Rose and the Master they both ran along,
“Now I wonder,” says Rose, “What took you from your home,
You should have stopped there in your Irish demesne,
And not come to gain laurels in Albion’s plain.”
8. “Well I know,” says McGrath, “We have wild heather bogs,
But you’ll find in old Ireland there’s good men and dogs,
Lead on bold Brittania, give none of your jaw,
Snuff that up your nostrils,” says Master McGrath.
9. Then the hare she went on just as swift as the wind,
He was sometimes before her und sometimes behind,
Rose gave the first turn according to law,
But the second was given by Master McGrath.
10. The hare she led on with a wonderful view,
And swift as the wind o’er the green field she flew,
But he jumped on her back and he held up his paw,
“Three cheers for old Ireland,” says Master McGrath. |