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Shenanigans

by The New Ruffians

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Rat queen
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Rat queen If you like the chaotic energy of The Pogues mixed with tasty Ska beats, then this album of rebellious, rip-roaring Celtic punk songs is bound to take up residence inside your brain. In their debut album, this seasoned live band has managed to perfectly capture the madcap atmosphere of their in-person shows. Just don't blame me if you start robbing banks or holding up stagecoaches... Favorite track: Rare Old Mountain Dew.
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1.
Wake Up 02:16
It’s the first day of the festival Line up the drinks and we’ll swag em all This is the one we love best of all With a toora loora yay There ain’t no clouds, I’ll testify The sun is shining, I want to cry Stamp your feet and kiss the sky Let’s party on today It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed We’re shipping out today It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed Sore-heads be damned Its been a long time me friends In this land of hope and glory But it’s 5 o’clock in the morning now And that’s a different story Give ya balls a scratch and shake ya head You’ll soon be dancing off to bed You’ve still gotta chance to get off your head Sing one more time. It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed We’re shipping out today It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed Sore-heads be damned It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed We’re shipping out today It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed Sore-heads be damned You said you wanna go back to sleep But that’s just an illusion You’ve had so much grog to drink You’re a ball of confusion You’re part of this big society No time to swing the lead If Dave and his boys gets his way You’ll be working til ya dead It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed We’re shipping out today It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed Sore-heads be damned It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed We’re shipping out today It’s time to wake up, shape up Get your arses out of bed Sore-heads be damned
2.
Says my aul’ wan to your aul’ wan “Will ye go to the Waxies dargle?” Says your aul’ wan to my aul’ wan “We haven’t got a farthing. We went up to Monto See our dear Uncle McArdle But he wouldn’t give us a couple a bob To go to the Waxies dargle.” What’ll ya have?! I’ll have a pint! I’ll have a pint with you, Sir! But if one of us don’t order soon We’ll be chucked out of the boozer! Says my aul’ wan to your aul’ wan “Will ye go to the Galway races?” Says your aul’ wan to my aul’ wan “We’ll go with our lads braces We went up to Monto See the Jewish moneylenders But they wouldn’t give us a couple a crown For the aul’ lad with suspenders.” What’ll ya have?! I’ll have a pint! I’ll have a pint with you, Sir! But if one of us don’t order soon We’ll be chucked out of the boozer! Says my aul’ wan to your aul’ wan We got no beef or mutton If we went up to Monto town We might get a piece for nuttin’” Here’s a piece of advice From the aul’ fishmongers: “If the food is scarce, you see the hearse You’ll know you have died of hunger.” What’ll ya have?! I’ll have a pint! I’ll have a pint with you, Sir! But if one of us don’t order soon We’ll be chucked out of the boozer!
3.
4.
Come single belle and beau, unto me pay attention Don’t ever fall in love, it’s the devil’s own invention For Once I fell in love with a lady so bewitching Miss Henrietta Bell out of Captain Kelly’s kitchen Singing toora loora la, toora loora laddie, toora loora la, with me toora loora laddie At the age of seventeen I was ‘prenticed to a grocer Not far from Stephen’s Green, where Miss Henry used to go sir Her manners were so fine, she set my heart a-twitchin’ She invited me to a hoolie’ in the kitchen Singing toora loora la, toora loora laddie, toora loora la, with me toora loora laddie Next Sunday being the day, that we went to have a flare-up I dressed me self quite gay and I frizzed and oiled me hair up The captain had no wife, and he had gone on fishin’ And we kicked up high life downstairs in the kitchen Singing toora loora la, toora loora laddie, toora loora la, with me toora loora laddie With her arms around me waist, she slyly hinted marriage When to the door in haste, came captain Kelly’s carriage Her eyes were full of hate, the poision she was spittin’ When the captain and the guards come marchin to the Kitchen Singing toora loora la, toora loora laddie, toora loora la, with me toora loora laddie When the captain came downstairs, oh he saw me situation In spite of all me prayers, I was marched off to the station For me they’d give no bail, but to get to the home I was itchin’ And I had to tell the tale, of my courtin in the kitchen Singing toora loora la, toora loora laddie, toora loora la, with me toora loora laddie Well, I swore she did invite me, though she gave a flat denial For assault, they did indict me and I was sent for trial She said I robbed the house in spite of all me screechin’ And I got six months in jail, for me courtin’ in the kitchen Chorus x 2
5.
Tipsy 03:20
He gets up to the bar, just to contemplate a drink His first one’s a cider, let’s have a little think His second one’s a red wine or maybe it’s a rum Well I’ll have a little drink before I come undone You know he’s tipsy, dipsy, you’ve heard it all before he’s tipsy, dipsy, he’ll soon be on the floor you know he’s tipsy, dipsy, drinks like ten men and when tomorrow morning comes, we’ll I’ll be back again fol deedah, fol deedah, fol deedah fol de hey fol de ho, fol de alley alley oh! Hey! It’s early in the morning, she’s sober as a judge She gotta go to town, but she doesnae bear a grudge They say whiskey is the devil and it’s absolutely fine Coz she’s off up to the bar for another glass of wine You know she’s tipsy, dipsy, you’ve heard it all before she’s tipsy, dipsy, she’ll soon be on the floor you know she’s tipsy, dipsy, drinks like ten men and when tomorrow morning comes, we’ll I’ll be back again fol deedah, fol deedah, fol deedah fol de hey fol de ho, fol de alley alley oh! Hey! Well all the fine ladies and gents are sitting here Another grand occasion for the drinking of the beer Another fine occasion and of that there is no doubt So dance a jig, have a swig and watch the doors on your way out Well we’re tipsy, dipsy I’ve heard it all before We’re tipsy, dipsy soon be on the floor We’re tipsy, dipsy, drink like ten men When tomorrow morning comes, well I’ll be back again fol deedah, fol deedah, fol deedah fol de hey fol de ho, fol de alley alley oh! Hey! Well the auld time religion, well that’s my philosophy In times of great need, see the vicar for a tea In times of for pleasure and for laughter and for sin Well it’s down the rub a dub for another pint of gin Well we’re tipsy, dipsy, we’ve heard it all before We’re tipsy, dipsy, we’ll soon be on the floor We’re tipsy, dipsy, we drink like ten men When tomorrow morning comes, well I’ll be back again When tomorrow morning comes, well I’ll be back again When tomorrow morning comes, well I’ll be back again Amen
6.
Well I don’t give money to the Big Issue seller Because he’s probably on heroin I’ll walk past him with a grin And if I can I’ll kick his dog And I don’t give money to the buskers ‘Cos they’re talentless and lazy They’re ruining the country I think they should get a job Instead I give my money to Walmart for tax evasion Primark for child labour Texaco for the next invasion I don’t give a fuck about you I give my money to the Millionnaires I give my money to the Millionnaires I give all my money to the Millionnaires and I don’t give a fuck about you Well I don’t give money to the beggar That’s what I pay my taxes for Government should shove him through the door Of a prison cell or a hospital I don’t give to the homeless pisshead ‘Coz he’ll spend it all on booze instead The waster doesn’t deserve a bed Whaddya mean welfare is dead? Instead I give my money to Walmart for tax evasion Primark for child labour Texaco for the next invasion I don’t give a fuck about you I give my money to the Millionnaires I give my money to the Millionnaires I give all my money to the Millionnaires and I don’t give a fuck about you Instead I give my money to Starbucks, in case I get hard up BP making living life easy HSBC they look after me And I don’t give a fuck about you I give my money to the Millionnaires I give my money to the Millionnaires I give all my money to the Millionnaires And I don’t give a fuck about you Well I don’t give money to the Big Issue seller ‘Cos he’s probably on heroin I’ll walk past him with a grin And if I can I’ll kick his dog And I don’t give money to the buskers Oh they’re talentless and lazy They’re ruining the country I think they should get a job Instead I give my money to Walmart for tax evasion Primark for child labour Texaco for the next invasion I don’t give a fuck about you I give my money to the Billionnaires I give my money to the Billionnaires I give all my money to the Billionnaires And I don’t give a fuck about you
7.
8.
There were three of the gypsies came to the door They came brave and boldly-o And one sang high and the other sang low And the other sang a raggle taggle gypsy-o It was upstairs and downstairs the lady ran Put on her suit of leather-o And it was the cry all around her door; “She’s away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o” It was late that night when the lord came home Enquiring for his lady-o And it was the housemaid that replied; “She’s away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o” “Then saddle for me my big white steed Me big one is not as speedy-o And tonight I ride for I seek for me bride Who’s away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o” Which way did he ride…. Well he rode east and he rode west He rode north and south also And when he rode to the wide open field That’s where he spied his lady-o “And, why did you leave your house and your home Why did you leave your money-o? Why did you leave your own wedded lord All for the raggle taggle gypsy-o?” “Ah what do I care for my house and my home? What do I care for money-o? What do I care for my own wedded lord? I’m away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o” “It was there last night you’d a goose feather bed Blankets drawn so comely-o But tonight you lie in a wide open field In the arms of the raggle taggle gypsy-o” “Ah, what do I care for my goose feather bed? And Blankets drawn so comely-o? For tonight I lie in a wide open field In the arms of the raggle taggle gypsy-o” “Yeah you rode west when I rode east You rode high and I rode low I’d rather have a kiss of the yellow gypsy’s lips Than stay with the lord and money-o”
9.
10.
Oh, come by the hills to the land where fancy is free And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the loughs meet the sea Where the rivers run clear, and the bracken is gold in the sun Oh, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done Oh, come by the hills to the land where life is a song And sing while the birds fill the air with their joy all day long Where the trees sway in time, and even the wind sings in tune Oh, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done Oh, come by the hills to the land where legends remain The stories of old fill our hearts and may yet come again Where the past has been lost, and the future remains to be won Oh, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done Oh, the cares of tomorrow can wait till this day is done
11.
12.
Daddy Was 02:39
Daddy was a smoked stained thinker He certainly upset all the rest of the crew And now you know he was a smoker and a drinker And Paddie worked alongside him too Well have a drink, one or two Line em up while I nip to the loo And when the bell rings, it’s what to do? Well it’s time roll home and he lights up a cigarette Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle lido lido Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle liddle lydle lum Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle lido lido Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle liddle lydle lum Sophie was a socialist worker She worked all her life just to earn a crumb She liked to spend her nights at the party headquarters That’s where you’ll hear her bang her drum Well have a drink, one or two Line em up while I nip to the loo And when the bell rings, it’s what to do? Well it’s time roll home and he lights up a cigarette Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle lido lido Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle liddle lydle lum Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle lido lido Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle liddle lydle lum Billy was a protest singer He liked to write his songs and play it all night He sits on his throne and contemplates ruling Upsets one or two and he gets into a fight Well have a drink, one or two Line em up while I nip to the loo And when the bell rings, it’s what to do? Well it’s time roll home and he lights up a cigarette Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle lido lido Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle liddle lydle lum Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle lido lido Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle liddle lydle lum Johnny was an old time murderer He liked to link the bodies up with a clue By day he was a gas board fitter Interpol, The FBI are after him too Well have a drink, one or two Line em up while I nip to the loo And when the bell rings, it’s what to do? Well it’s time roll home and he lights up a cigarette Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle lido lido Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle liddle lydle lum Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle lido lido Fiddle liddle lye, skiddle liddle lydle lum Daddy was a smoke-stained thinker
13.
Let grasses grow and waters flow In a free and easy way But give me enough of the rare old stuff That’s brewed near Galway Bay Come Gowgers all from Donegal From Sligo and Leitrim too Oh, we’ll give them the slip and we’ll take a sip Of the rare old Mountain Dew Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day At the foot of the hill there’s a neat little still Where the smoke curls up in the sky With a whiff and a sniff you can plainly tell That there’s poitin made nearby For it fills the air with a perfume That’s known to me and you It’s off we roll to drink a bowl Or a bucket full of Mountain Dew Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day There’s learned men who take-up the pen Who have wrote the praises high Of sweet poitin from Ireland green That’s made from wheat and rye Get away with your pills, it’ll cure all ills Be ye Pagan, Christian or Jew Take off your coat and grease your throat With the Rare old the Mountain Dew Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle diddle dum Skiddly idle dum diddle dum day
14.
Merry Hell 03:26
Keeping up the standards, keep on drinking where you fell Will I see you on the other side raising Merry Hell? We’ve still got time for romance, fa’ilte hospitality All the pretty girls are dancing and you know where I will be Well excuse me while I pray, well excuse me while I pray Dear God what have you got to do to take this pain away Well excuse me while I pray, well excuse me while I pray Dear God what have you gone and done I’ve lost all time today There’s fear of death and violence does your mother want to stay? All I want is lovely jugs of beer, she offers only tae! We all fear gods and monsters and we still can’t get release Have you had enough of life down in the belly of the beast? Well excuse me while I pray, well excuse me while I pray Dear God what have you got to do to take this pain away Well excuse me while I pray, well excuse me while I pray Dear God what have you gone and done I’ve lost all time today Plagued by bouts of kindness, threw myself down in a well With me body all tattooed in a dirty drunken smell (eugh!) Dragged out of the city, through the one that tried and failed And I’ll kick and bloody murder like I just broke out of jail! Well excuse me while I pray, well excuse me while I pray Dear God what have you got to do to take this pain away Well excuse me while I pray, well excuse me while I pray Dear God what have you gone and done I’ve lost all time today Keeping up the standards, keep on drinking where you fell Well I’ll see you on the other side raising Merry Hell! We’ve still got time for romance, fa’ilte hospitality All the pretty girls are dancing and you know where I will be Well excuse me while I pray, well excuse me while I pray Dear God what have you got to do to take this pain away Well excuse me while I pray, well excuse me while I pray Dear God what have I gone and done I’ve got too drunk today
15.
Did you hear them play the tunes, take them round the Parish Pluck it, strike it, hammer it down, make it awful savage Keep the music from the page, no paper production Strings made from fusewire, anything for a plectrum Rip the music from the wall, Sing into the silence All you need is a place to play, To the devil with your licence When they pulled the reel apart, wove it back together Driving rhythms once again like they’d gone on forever Then the drummer beat the goat, beat it with a passion Weaving rhythms round the tunes like they’d gone out of fashion Rip the music from the wall, Sing into the silence All you need is a place to play, To the devil with your licence To the mix add stormin’ tunes, beer and smoke and whiskey Fiddle and bohdron nail it down, jigs and reels a plenty Play the blarney pilgrim land, drink in double measure Merrily kiss the quaker with Killarney boys of pleasure Rip the music from the wall, Sing into the silence All you need is a place to play, To the devil with your licence
16.
Well it’s all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog It’s all for me beer and tobacco For I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin Far across the western ocean I must wander I’m Sick in the head, I aye been to bed since first I came ashore with me plunder I’ve seen centipedes and snakes, me ‘ead is full of aches And I gotta build a path to way out yonder Well it’s all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog It’s all for me beer and tobacco For I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin Far across the western ocean I must wander Where are me boots, me old smelly boots Sold out for beer and tobacco Well the heels are hanging out, the toes are kicked about And the soles are looking out for better weather Well it’s all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog It’s all for me beer and tobacco For I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin Far across the western ocean I must wander Where is me bed, me old stinky bed Sold out for beer and tobacco Well I spent it on the girls, the springs are all in twirls And the sheets are looking out for better weather Well it’s all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog It’s all for me beer and tobacco For I spent all me tin on the lassies drinking gin Far across the western ocean I must wander
17.
Tell Me Ma 02:58
Tell me ma when I go home The boys won’t leave the girls alone They pull their hair, they steal their comb But that’s all right till I go home She is handsome, she is pretty She is the belle of Belfast City She is a courting one, two, three Please won’t you tell me who is she? Albert Mooney says he loves her All the boys are fighting for her Knock at the door and they ring that bell Oh my true love, are you well? Out she comes as white as snow Rings on her fingers, bells on her toes Old Jenny Murphy says she’ll die If she doesn’t get the fellow with the roving eye Tell me ma when I go home The boys won’t leave the girls alone They pull their hair, they steal their comb But that’s all right till I go home She is handsome, she is pretty She is the belle of Belfast City She is a courting one, two, three Please won’t you tell me who is she? Let the wind and the rain and the hail go high And snow come a shovelling from the sky She’s as happy as apple pie And she’ll get her own lad by and by When she gets a lad of her own She won’t tell her Ma till she comes home All the boys come as they will For it’s Albert Mooney she loves still Tell me ma when I go home The boys won’t leave the girls alone They pull their hair, they steal their comb But that’s all right till I go home She is handsome, she is pretty She is the belle of Belfast City She is a courting one, two, three Please won’t you tell me who is she?

about

Recorded January/February 2020

credits

released November 27, 2020

‘Wake Up’, ‘Daddy Was’, ‘Tipsy’, ‘The Parkdale Jig’ and
‘Merry Hell’ written and arranged by The New Ruffians.
‘To the Devil with Your Licence’ written by Matthew O’Reilly, arranged by The New Ruffians.
‘Millionnaires’ written by Phat Bollard, arranged by The New Ruffians.
All others traditional arranged by The New Ruffians.
Recorded at Kingswood Trust and Parkdale Studios, Wolverhampton, Jan/Feb 2020

Produced by The New Ruffians
Recorded and engineered by Sam Draisey
Mixed by Paul Dunn and Mike Wyatt
Mastered by Mike Wyatt
Sleeve by Diablo
Photography by Paul Dunn and Richard Harvey

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about

The New Ruffians Wolverhampton, UK

Four multi-instumentalist Midlanders playing a heady mix of traditional Celtic music, Ska, R’n’R, Indie & Punk.

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