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No Irish Need Apply

Pete Seeger
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Versione di Mark Westphal da Triskelle

NO IRISH NEED APPLY

I'm a simple Irish girl and I'm looking for a place.
I've felt the grip of poverty, but sure that's no disgrace.
'Twill be long before I get one, though indeed it's hard I try,
For I read in each advertisement, "No Irish need apply."
Alas! for my poor country, which I never will deny!
How they insult us when they say, "No Irish need apply"!

Now, I wonder what's the reason that the fortune-favored few
Should throw on us that dirty slur and treat us as they do.
Sure they all know Paddy's heart is warm, and willing is his hand.
They rule us, yet we may not earn a living in their land.
O, to their sister country, how can they bread deny
By sending forth this cruel line: "No Irish need apply"?

Sure I did not do the like when they anchored on our shore.
For Irish hospitality, there's no need to deplore;
And every door is open to the weary stranger still.
Pat would give his last potato, yes, and give it with a will;
Nor whisky, which he prizes so, in any case deny.
Then wherefore do they always write, "No Irish need apply"?

Now what have they against us? Sure the world knows Paddy's brave,
For he's helped to fight their battles both on land and on the wave.
At the storming of Sebastopol, and beneath an Indian sky,
Pat raised his head, for their General said, "All Irish might apply."
Do you mind Lieutenant Morey (?), when he raised the battle cry?
Then are they not ashamed to write, "No Irish need apply"?

Then they can't deny us genius, with "Sheridan,"--"Tom Moore,"--
The late lamented "Catherine Hayes," and Sam Lover to the fore,--
Although they may laugh at our "Bulls," they cannot but admit
That Pat is always sensible, and has a ready wit;
And if they ask for Beauty, what can beat their nice black Eye?
Then is it not a shame to write, "No Irish need apply"?

Och! the French must loudly crow to find we're slighted thus,
For they can ne'er forget the blow that was dealt by one of us.
If the Iron Duke of Wellington had never drawn his sword,
Faith they might have "Napoleon Sauce" with their beef, upon my word.
They think now of their hero, dead; his name will never die.
Where will they get another such if "No Irish need apply"?

Ah! but now I'm in the land of the "Glorious" and "Free,"
And proud I am to own it, a country dear to me.
I can see by your kind faces that you will not deny
A place in your hears for Kathleen, and all Irish may apply.
Then long may the Union flourish, and ever may it be
A pattern to the world and the "Home of Liberty!"

NINA (NO IRISH NEED APPLY)

The Hunger has come and will not leave
My fair city of Newry
A better life is what I seek
for me and my family

So I come with nothing, left everything
in a coffin ship is where I've been
My parents gone, but now its over
with the lady calling us in

A place where liberty is for the rich and poor
and a man can own his own land
Where men are free and there's plenty to eat
and you don't fear the knock at your door

No Irish Need Apply
It's been a bad year
No work for you, I tell you true
So get the hell out of here

Walking the streets, I hear the babble
"Watch out ya god-damned Mic
They're dirty, lazy and breed like cattle
and they're all the Pope's Catholics"

I've checked the mills, I've checked the stores
I've checked the factories
The answers the same, it doesn't change
We've got work but none for you

No Irish Need Apply
We don't hire your kind
Now if you will, hit the hills
If you don't mind

My kin fell at Gettysburg and Antietam
The wall at Fredericksburg did not discriminate
We were all Americans when we fought
with General Meagher and the Irish Brigade

The sign on the tavern door
Said "No Dogs or Irish Served"
They hate me and I can't understand
Cause I've never been there before

No Irish Need Apply
It's been a bad year
No work for you, I tell you true
So get the hell out of here

Oh learn something, all you Know Nothings
I tell you I'm a man
I love my family, I love this country
and I'll make if I can

Oh Ireland is a sad land
with no peace or liberty
but all men are not created equal
in this land of the free

No Irish Need Apply
We don't hire your kind
Now if you will, hit the hills
If you don't mind

No Irish Need Apply
It's been a bad year
No work for you, I tell you true
So get the hell out of here


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