The Rambling Kerry Lad Lyrics
This is an Irish folk song from Co. Kerry, In The Sean Nos style of singing. Sean Nos was the old way of singing a song in Ireland. This one is from a CD Ossian Publications Ltd 1995. Cork (The Mountain Road Traditional Music and songs of Cork & Kerry) Other County Kerry songs include The Hills Of Kerry which was sang by balladeer Pady Reilly.
This old song sung here in by Brid(Ni Mhurchü) Grainbheil, from Baile an Chaladh,Baile an Fheirtearaigh.Brid had a lovely, gentle style of singing, the words at times being almost spoken rather than sung.It is interesting to note that when this song was first by Brid recorded in 1960,Brid had to be brought to Dingle town,some fifteen miles or so to the east, because the Rural Electrification Scheme had Not yet reached their part of the Gaeltacht, sent to the site by Patrick Burke. See also The Rambling Irishman Song .
This old song sung here in by Brid(Ni Mhurchü) Grainbheil, from Baile an Chaladh,Baile an Fheirtearaigh.Brid had a lovely, gentle style of singing, the words at times being almost spoken rather than sung.It is interesting to note that when this song was first by Brid recorded in 1960,Brid had to be brought to Dingle town,some fifteen miles or so to the east, because the Rural Electrification Scheme had Not yet reached their part of the Gaeltacht, sent to the site by Patrick Burke. See also The Rambling Irishman Song .
I am a rambling hero
I’ve travelled this country round
I passed a resolution to leave this
Irish Ground
Chorus
My napsack on my shoulder
My slaney in my hand
And i sailed away to USA
Like a rambling kerry man.
2
When i landed in America
The girls they jumped with joy
Says one of them to another
Here comes a Kerry Boy
One treats me with a bottle
Another with a glass
And this health goes around the table
Here’s a health to a kerry lad
I was Not long in Amerika
When years start 2 and 3
I passed a Resolution to go
Further out and see.
Chorus
My napsack on my shoulder
My slaney in my hand
And I sailed for Pennsylvania
Like a true Born Irish man
3
When I landed in Pennsylvania
I came to a railroad Inn
I met a landladys daughter
And she invited me in
She asked me would I dine with her
And took me by the hand
And she shyly told her mother
She loved a kerry lad
4
O daughter dearest daughter
What do you mean to do
Do you mean to throw yourself away
To a man you never knew
O hold your tounge dear mother
I’ll do the best i can
Well I’ve feelings and good nature
And the heart of a kerry man
End.
Lyrics and chords list from N - R
I’ve travelled this country round
I passed a resolution to leave this
Irish Ground
Chorus
My napsack on my shoulder
My slaney in my hand
And i sailed away to USA
Like a rambling kerry man.
2
When i landed in America
The girls they jumped with joy
Says one of them to another
Here comes a Kerry Boy
One treats me with a bottle
Another with a glass
And this health goes around the table
Here’s a health to a kerry lad
I was Not long in Amerika
When years start 2 and 3
I passed a Resolution to go
Further out and see.
Chorus
My napsack on my shoulder
My slaney in my hand
And I sailed for Pennsylvania
Like a true Born Irish man
3
When I landed in Pennsylvania
I came to a railroad Inn
I met a landladys daughter
And she invited me in
She asked me would I dine with her
And took me by the hand
And she shyly told her mother
She loved a kerry lad
4
O daughter dearest daughter
What do you mean to do
Do you mean to throw yourself away
To a man you never knew
O hold your tounge dear mother
I’ll do the best i can
Well I’ve feelings and good nature
And the heart of a kerry man
End.
Lyrics and chords list from N - R
this is a mighty emigrant swagger–ballad, full of charm, bravado, and the kind of confidence only a young Irish fella with a napsack and a dream could have.
☘️ Act 1: The Kerry Man With Itchy Feet. The singer introduces himself like a lad who thinks he’s the star of a Hollywood western:
“I am a rambling hero.”
Which is Irish for:
“I can’t hold down a job and I’ve a shocking case of wanderlust.”
He “passes a resolution” to leave Ireland --
like he’s the parliament of himself --
packs his napsack, grabs his slaney (whatever that may be — stick, blade, or attitude)
and heads off to America like a Kerry cowboy.
☘️ Act 2: Arrival in the Land of Yanks. When he lands in the USA,
the women are cheering like the Beatles just walked off the boat.
“Here comes a Kerry Boy!”
They’re pouring him drinks faster than he can count them.
One gives him a bottle,
another a glass,
and they toast:
“Here’s a health to a Kerry lad!”
He must’ve thought he’d landed in heaven --
or at least a bar in Brooklyn run by exiled Irish aunties.
☘️ Act 3: The Wanderer Wanders On. After a few years he gets restless --
like a lad who can’t sit still at a wake.
“I passed a Resolution to go further out and see.”
This man is basically a one–man United Nations.
When he wants something, he passes a resolution.
No debate, no opposition, no committee --
just pure Kerry democracy.
So off he goes to Pennsylvania,
napsack on the shoulder,
slaney in the hand,
swagger in the step.
☘️ Act 4: The Railroad RomanceIn Pennsylvania, he finds an inn --
and inside, a landlady’s daughter with eyes only for him.
She invites him in,
feeds him,
dotes on him,
takes him by the hand
and all but swoons:
“I love this Kerry lad!”
Irish accents, it seems,
work as well in America
as they do in Galway pubs after midnight.
☘️ Act 5: The Protective Mama. The mother, however,
isn’t swept up in the romantic fever.
She demands:
“Do you mean to throw yourself away
on a man you never knew?”
That’s Irish Mammy Code for:
“Is he employed? Does he own land? Is he trouble?”
The daughter answers like a woman with hormones and determination:
“I’ll do the best I can!”
And she praises him:
“I’ve feelings and good nature
and the heart of a Kerry man.”
Which is basically saying:
“He might not have land, riches, or sense --
but by God he’s charming.”
☘️ The Irish Spirit Summary. This song is:
A lad who leaves Ireland with nothing but a napsack,
shows up in America with charm leaking out of his ears,
drinks for free,
picks up women,
and wins hearts with nothing more than
Irish wit and Kerry cheek.
Sure, isn’t that the Irish way --
no fortune, no plan,
but a smile and a story that’ll carry you anywhere in the world? ☘️
☘️ Act 1: The Kerry Man With Itchy Feet. The singer introduces himself like a lad who thinks he’s the star of a Hollywood western:
“I am a rambling hero.”
Which is Irish for:
“I can’t hold down a job and I’ve a shocking case of wanderlust.”
He “passes a resolution” to leave Ireland --
like he’s the parliament of himself --
packs his napsack, grabs his slaney (whatever that may be — stick, blade, or attitude)
and heads off to America like a Kerry cowboy.
☘️ Act 2: Arrival in the Land of Yanks. When he lands in the USA,
the women are cheering like the Beatles just walked off the boat.
“Here comes a Kerry Boy!”
They’re pouring him drinks faster than he can count them.
One gives him a bottle,
another a glass,
and they toast:
“Here’s a health to a Kerry lad!”
He must’ve thought he’d landed in heaven --
or at least a bar in Brooklyn run by exiled Irish aunties.
☘️ Act 3: The Wanderer Wanders On. After a few years he gets restless --
like a lad who can’t sit still at a wake.
“I passed a Resolution to go further out and see.”
This man is basically a one–man United Nations.
When he wants something, he passes a resolution.
No debate, no opposition, no committee --
just pure Kerry democracy.
So off he goes to Pennsylvania,
napsack on the shoulder,
slaney in the hand,
swagger in the step.
☘️ Act 4: The Railroad RomanceIn Pennsylvania, he finds an inn --
and inside, a landlady’s daughter with eyes only for him.
She invites him in,
feeds him,
dotes on him,
takes him by the hand
and all but swoons:
“I love this Kerry lad!”
Irish accents, it seems,
work as well in America
as they do in Galway pubs after midnight.
☘️ Act 5: The Protective Mama. The mother, however,
isn’t swept up in the romantic fever.
She demands:
“Do you mean to throw yourself away
on a man you never knew?”
That’s Irish Mammy Code for:
“Is he employed? Does he own land? Is he trouble?”
The daughter answers like a woman with hormones and determination:
“I’ll do the best I can!”
And she praises him:
“I’ve feelings and good nature
and the heart of a Kerry man.”
Which is basically saying:
“He might not have land, riches, or sense --
but by God he’s charming.”
☘️ The Irish Spirit Summary. This song is:
- 50% romance
- 30% bravado
- 20% geographical relocation
- and 100% pure Kerry confidence
A lad who leaves Ireland with nothing but a napsack,
shows up in America with charm leaking out of his ears,
drinks for free,
picks up women,
and wins hearts with nothing more than
Irish wit and Kerry cheek.
Sure, isn’t that the Irish way --
no fortune, no plan,
but a smile and a story that’ll carry you anywhere in the world? ☘️
