American Old Time Song Lyrics: 38 Andy Mcelroe

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 38

ANDY McELROE.

My brother Andy said that for a soldier he would go;
So great excitement came upon the house of McElroe.
My father sold the bog-hole to equip him for the war,
My mother sold the cushions of her Sunday jauntin'-car;
And when brave Andy reached the front, 'twas furious work he made:
They appointed him a private in the Crocodile Brigade.
The sound of Andy's battle-cry struck terror through the foe;
His foot was on the desert and his name was McElroel

Chorus.
At least that's what the letter said that came across the foam,
To Andy's anxious relatives, awaiting him at home.
The papers say he ran away whene'er he met the foe;
But that was quite unlike the style of Andy McElroe.

One morning brave Lord Wolsley for a battle feit inclined;
But all could see the General had. something on his mind;
Sez he, "My staff, 'twere dangerous to face you deadly foe.
Unless we're sure that quite prepared is Andy McElroe."
Then Andy cried, "I'm here, my lord, and ready for the fray."
Then England, Ireland, Scotland, rolled together on the foe;
But far ahead of every one rushed Andy McElroe!

Chorus.
At least that's what the letter said that came across the foam.
To Andy's anxious relatives, awaiting him at home.
The Government despatches had another tale-but no!
We won't believe a word against brave Andy McElroe.

The Madhi had gone tip a tree, a spy-glass in his eye,
To see his Paynim chivalry the Northern prowess try;
But soon he saw a form of dread, and cried in tones of woe,
"Be jabers, let me out o' this-there's Andy McElroe!"
Then down he hurried from his tree, and straight away he ran.
To keep appointments, as he said, in distant Kordefan;
And fled those Arab soldiery like sand siroccos blow,
Pursued (with much profanity) by Andy McElroe.

Chorus.
At least that's what he told us when returning o'er the foam.
To greet his anxious relatives, awaiting him at home;
So sing the song of triumph, and let all your bumpers flow,
In honor of our countryman, brave Andy McElroe.