DOLLYMOUNT STRAND (Paul O’Brien)
Is a simple love song of a courting couple in the thirties and forties. Maher’s was a famous “singing pub” in Fairview, the Warf Tavern in East Wall didn’t allow singing, and still doesn’t to this day. Try explaining that to tourists.
I work on the docks like me father before
I’ve worked every basin and every long shore
I’m courting a girl who lives down the way
She’s promised to marry me some sunny day
On Sundays in summer we stroll, hand in hand
along by clontarf to Dollymount strand
Will take a few biscuits and a bottle of tea
With the wind in our hair and our feet in the sea
I work all the week stacking the crates
And lugging sacks from the United States
Swinging the booms and chuckin’ the ropes
While she’s down in Lever’s packin’ the soap
On Sundays ….
She smartens me up and leaves nothing to chance
Whenever I’m taking her out to a dance
Down to St Anthony’s Hall on the quays
In me new donkey jacket I look the bee’s knees
On Friday nights we go down to Maher’s
Where we all can pretend to be great singing stars
Everyone there has their own song
While everyone else is singing along