The Waxies Dargle lyrics and chords
A traditional Irish folk song which was recorded by The Pogues, The Dubliners and The Dublin City Ramblers. The Video Is The Pogues.Waxies are candlemakers,and The Waxies Dargle was their annual trip to Bray Co. Wicklow. The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included. Guitar chords are in chordpro and in the key of D and G Major.
About the song
Ah, this one is pure Dublin mischief — the kind of song that smells of stout, cigarette smoke, and the sacred art of complaining with style. It’s a playful anthem of being broke but not bothered, soaked through with cheeky humour.
It starts with two Dublin women — two “oul wans” — squabbling like seagulls over a chip. One asks the other if she’ll go to the Waxies’ Dargle — a legendary working-class picnic and piss-up. And the other replies that she can’t go because she hasn’t a farthing — not even enough for a stale cracker.
So she goes to her tight-arsed uncle to beg for money — and the stingy bollix won’t even part with half a crown. Honestly, he’d squeeze a penny ’til it screamed for mercy.
Then it’s off to the Galway Races — another excuse for mayhem, money-wasting, and drinking.
“I’ll hump the old man’s braces,” she says — which in Dublin talk basically means, “We’ll pawn whatever isn’t nailed down, even his underwear.”
Then she tries the Jewish moneylenders on Capel Street — and the lads refuse to lend even a couple of shillings on the bright red braces. They’ve seen too many broke desperados before — they know the type.
So then the women declare they’ve no meat at home — no beef, no mutton — just hunger and attitude. But sure someone says:
“If we go down to Monto Town, we might get a drink for nothin’!”
Monto — the old red-light district — where you could find:
“When food is scarce and ye see the hearse — ye know you’ve died of hunger.”
Sure that’s peak Irish logic — bleak as a November morning, but funny enough to make you snort.
And finally, the chorus of champions:
What will ye have? I’ll have a pint,
I’ll have a pint with you sir!
But order soon or we’ll be thrown out of the boozer!
Which is as Irish as it gets:
Even when broke, hungry, and denied loans across every street in Dublin — by God, they’ll still manage a pint somehow.
In short:
It’s a song about poverty, pawning, drinking, cheek, and resilience — where being skint is a shared joke rather than a tragedy.
As we’d say in Dublin:
They’ve no money, no food, no shame — and great craic altogether.
Ah, this one is pure Dublin mischief — the kind of song that smells of stout, cigarette smoke, and the sacred art of complaining with style. It’s a playful anthem of being broke but not bothered, soaked through with cheeky humour.
It starts with two Dublin women — two “oul wans” — squabbling like seagulls over a chip. One asks the other if she’ll go to the Waxies’ Dargle — a legendary working-class picnic and piss-up. And the other replies that she can’t go because she hasn’t a farthing — not even enough for a stale cracker.
So she goes to her tight-arsed uncle to beg for money — and the stingy bollix won’t even part with half a crown. Honestly, he’d squeeze a penny ’til it screamed for mercy.
Then it’s off to the Galway Races — another excuse for mayhem, money-wasting, and drinking.
“I’ll hump the old man’s braces,” she says — which in Dublin talk basically means, “We’ll pawn whatever isn’t nailed down, even his underwear.”
Then she tries the Jewish moneylenders on Capel Street — and the lads refuse to lend even a couple of shillings on the bright red braces. They’ve seen too many broke desperados before — they know the type.
So then the women declare they’ve no meat at home — no beef, no mutton — just hunger and attitude. But sure someone says:
“If we go down to Monto Town, we might get a drink for nothin’!”
Monto — the old red-light district — where you could find:
- a drink,
- a deal,
- or trouble --
usually all three.
“When food is scarce and ye see the hearse — ye know you’ve died of hunger.”
Sure that’s peak Irish logic — bleak as a November morning, but funny enough to make you snort.
And finally, the chorus of champions:
What will ye have? I’ll have a pint,
I’ll have a pint with you sir!
But order soon or we’ll be thrown out of the boozer!
Which is as Irish as it gets:
Even when broke, hungry, and denied loans across every street in Dublin — by God, they’ll still manage a pint somehow.
In short:
It’s a song about poverty, pawning, drinking, cheek, and resilience — where being skint is a shared joke rather than a tragedy.
As we’d say in Dublin:
They’ve no money, no food, no shame — and great craic altogether.
Says[D] my old one to[G] your old one,
Will you[D] come to the Waxies Dargle,
Says your old one to[G] my old one,
Sure I[A] haven't got a[D] farthing,
I went up to Monto Town,
To see uncle[G] Mc Ar[[A]dle,
But he[D] wouldn't give me[G] half a crown,
To[A] go to the Waxies[D] Dargle.
[2]
Says your old one to my old one,
Will you go to the Galway races,
Says your old one to my old one,
I'll hump the old man's braces,
I went down to Capel Street,
To the Jew man moneylenders,
But they wouldn't give me a couple of bob,
On the old man's red suspenders.
[3]
Says my old one to your old one,
We have no beef or mutton,
But if we go down to Monto [ lyrics ] Town,
We might get a drink for nothin,
Here's a nice piece of advece,
I heard from an old fishmonger,
When food is scarce and ye see the hearse,
You know you have died of hunger.
What will ye have,I'll have a pint,
I'll have a pint with you sir,
And if one of you's doesn't order soon,
We'el be trown out of the boozer.
Will you[D] come to the Waxies Dargle,
Says your old one to[G] my old one,
Sure I[A] haven't got a[D] farthing,
I went up to Monto Town,
To see uncle[G] Mc Ar[[A]dle,
But he[D] wouldn't give me[G] half a crown,
To[A] go to the Waxies[D] Dargle.
[2]
Says your old one to my old one,
Will you go to the Galway races,
Says your old one to my old one,
I'll hump the old man's braces,
I went down to Capel Street,
To the Jew man moneylenders,
But they wouldn't give me a couple of bob,
On the old man's red suspenders.
[3]
Says my old one to your old one,
We have no beef or mutton,
But if we go down to Monto [ lyrics ] Town,
We might get a drink for nothin,
Here's a nice piece of advece,
I heard from an old fishmonger,
When food is scarce and ye see the hearse,
You know you have died of hunger.
What will ye have,I'll have a pint,
I'll have a pint with you sir,
And if one of you's doesn't order soon,
We'el be trown out of the boozer.
Here’s the full “Waxies’ Dargle” — a rousing Dublin street song — with chords added to all verses in D Major, which suits its traditional Irish pub style perfectly.
This layout follows the standard Dubliners’ version, ready for guitar or session performance.
🎵 The Waxies’ Dargle(Traditional Dublin Song – Key of D Major)
[Verse 1]
Says [D]my old one to [G]your old one,
Will you [D]come to the Waxies’ [A7]Dargle?
Says [D]your old one to [G]my old one,
Sure I [A]haven’t got a [D]farthing.
I went up to Monto Town,
To see Uncle [G]McAr[A]dle,
But he [D]wouldn’t give me [G]half a crown,
To [A]go to the Waxies’ [D]Dargle.
[Chorus – Pub Refrain]
What will ye [G]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [D]you, sir!
And if [G]one of ye doesn’t [D]order soon,
We’ll be [A]thrown out of the [D]boozer!
[Verse 2]
Says [D]your old one to [G]my old one,
Will you [D]go to the Galway [A7]races?
Says [D]your old one to [G]my old one,
I’ll hump the [A]old man’s [D]braces!
I went down to Capel Street,
To the Jew man [G]moneyl[A]enders,
But they [D]wouldn’t give me a [G]couple of bob,
On the [A]old man’s red sus[D]penders!
[Chorus]
What will ye [G]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [D]you, sir!
And if [G]one of ye doesn’t [D]order soon,
We’ll be [A]thrown out of the [D]boozer!
[Verse 3]
Says [D]my old one to [G]your old one,
We have [D]no beef nor [A7]mutton,
But if [D]we go down to [G]Monto Town,
We [A]might get a drink for [D]nothin’.
Here’s a nice piece of advice,
I heard from an [G]old fish[A]monger,
When [D]food is scarce and ye [G]see the hearse,
Ye [A]know ye have died of [D]hunger!
[Final Chorus]
What will ye [G]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [D]you, sir!
And if [G]one of ye doesn’t [D]order soon,
We’ll be [A]thrown out of the [D]boozer!
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (Irish pub rhythm, 4/4 time)↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Accent beats 2 and 4 for that lively, foot-stomping feel.
Or play a march-style beat (great for singalongs):
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ (short, percussive strokes).
Here’s a lively intro and turnaround riff for “The Waxies’ Dargle” in D Major, written for guitar or mandolin — it captures that classic Dubliners pub session feel and can be played between verses or before the first line.
🎶 Intro / Turnaround Riff – The Waxies’ Dargle (Key of D Major)(Play once before Verse 1, and between verses for a session-style break.)
| D major pickup into G chord | D turnaround and back | e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| B|-----3---2------|-----0----------|-----3-2-0------|-----0----------| G|---2---2---2----|---0---0--------|---2-----2------|---0---0--------| D|-0--------------|-0--------------|-0--------------|-0--------------| A|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| D chord feel G chord fill D turnaround Back to D This riff fits beautifully before the opening line:
“Says my old one to your old one…”
Or as a musical break between verses when the crowd joins in the chorus.
🎸 Alternate Simple Strum Intro (for Singalongs)If you prefer strumming rather than picking:
Play D – G – D – A – D (1 bar each),
then launch straight into the verse.
🎵 Performance Tip
This layout follows the standard Dubliners’ version, ready for guitar or session performance.
🎵 The Waxies’ Dargle(Traditional Dublin Song – Key of D Major)
[Verse 1]
Says [D]my old one to [G]your old one,
Will you [D]come to the Waxies’ [A7]Dargle?
Says [D]your old one to [G]my old one,
Sure I [A]haven’t got a [D]farthing.
I went up to Monto Town,
To see Uncle [G]McAr[A]dle,
But he [D]wouldn’t give me [G]half a crown,
To [A]go to the Waxies’ [D]Dargle.
[Chorus – Pub Refrain]
What will ye [G]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [D]you, sir!
And if [G]one of ye doesn’t [D]order soon,
We’ll be [A]thrown out of the [D]boozer!
[Verse 2]
Says [D]your old one to [G]my old one,
Will you [D]go to the Galway [A7]races?
Says [D]your old one to [G]my old one,
I’ll hump the [A]old man’s [D]braces!
I went down to Capel Street,
To the Jew man [G]moneyl[A]enders,
But they [D]wouldn’t give me a [G]couple of bob,
On the [A]old man’s red sus[D]penders!
[Chorus]
What will ye [G]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [D]you, sir!
And if [G]one of ye doesn’t [D]order soon,
We’ll be [A]thrown out of the [D]boozer!
[Verse 3]
Says [D]my old one to [G]your old one,
We have [D]no beef nor [A7]mutton,
But if [D]we go down to [G]Monto Town,
We [A]might get a drink for [D]nothin’.
Here’s a nice piece of advice,
I heard from an [G]old fish[A]monger,
When [D]food is scarce and ye [G]see the hearse,
Ye [A]know ye have died of [D]hunger!
[Final Chorus]
What will ye [G]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [D]you, sir!
And if [G]one of ye doesn’t [D]order soon,
We’ll be [A]thrown out of the [D]boozer!
🎸 Suggested Strumming Pattern (Irish pub rhythm, 4/4 time)↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Accent beats 2 and 4 for that lively, foot-stomping feel.
Or play a march-style beat (great for singalongs):
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ (short, percussive strokes).
Here’s a lively intro and turnaround riff for “The Waxies’ Dargle” in D Major, written for guitar or mandolin — it captures that classic Dubliners pub session feel and can be played between verses or before the first line.
🎶 Intro / Turnaround Riff – The Waxies’ Dargle (Key of D Major)(Play once before Verse 1, and between verses for a session-style break.)
| D major pickup into G chord | D turnaround and back | e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| B|-----3---2------|-----0----------|-----3-2-0------|-----0----------| G|---2---2---2----|---0---0--------|---2-----2------|---0---0--------| D|-0--------------|-0--------------|-0--------------|-0--------------| A|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| E|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| D chord feel G chord fill D turnaround Back to D This riff fits beautifully before the opening line:
“Says my old one to your old one…”
Or as a musical break between verses when the crowd joins in the chorus.
🎸 Alternate Simple Strum Intro (for Singalongs)If you prefer strumming rather than picking:
Play D – G – D – A – D (1 bar each),
then launch straight into the verse.
🎵 Performance Tip
- Keep the tempo brisk (around 120–130 bpm).
- Add a little palm muting on the downstrokes to mimic the percussive drive of the Dubliners’ guitars.
- Fiddle or tin whistle can double the melody of the intro for extra energy.
G Major is the perfect singalong key for “The Waxies’ Dargle”, and it’s friendlier on guitar.
Below is the full version transposed to G, with an intro / turnaround riff adjusted for this key and clear pub-ready formatting.
🎵 The Waxies’ Dargle(Traditional Dublin Song – Key of G Major)
🎸 Intro / Turnaround Riff (Key of G)(Play before Verse 1 or between verses — lively and bouncy!)
| G major pickup into C chord | G turnaround back home | e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| B|-----0---1------|-----0----------|-----3-1-0------|-----0----------| G|---0---0---0----|---0---0--------|---0-----0------|---0---0--------| D|-0--------------|-2--------------|-0--------------|-0--------------| A|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| E|3---------------|----------------|3---------------|----------------| G chord feel C chord lift G turnaround Back to G
🎶 Suggested Strumming Pattern (4/4 Irish Pub Rhythm)↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
or for stronger drive:
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ (short, percussive strokes — think The Dubliners).
Lyrics with Chords (Key of G Major)[Verse 1]
Says [G]my old one to [C]your old one,
Will you [G]come to the Waxies’ [D7]Dargle?
Says [G]your old one to [C]my old one,
Sure I [D]haven’t got a [G]farthing.
I went up to Monto Town,
To see Uncle [C]McAr[D]dle,
But he [G]wouldn’t give me [C]half a crown,
To [D]go to the Waxies’ [G]Dargle.
[Chorus – Pub Refrain]
What will ye [C]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [G]you, sir!
And if [C]one of ye doesn’t [G]order soon,
We’ll be [D]thrown out of the [G]boozer!
[Verse 2]
Says [G]your old one to [C]my old one,
Will you [G]go to the Galway [D7]races?
Says [G]your old one to [C]my old one,
I’ll hump the [D]old man’s [G]braces!
I went down to Capel Street,
To the Jew man [C]moneyl[D]enders,
But they [G]wouldn’t give me a [C]couple of bob,
On the [D]old man’s red sus[G]penders!
[Chorus]
What will ye [C]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [G]you, sir!
And if [C]one of ye doesn’t [G]order soon,
We’ll be [D]thrown out of the [G]boozer!
[Verse 3]
Says [G]my old one to [C]your old one,
We have [G]no beef nor [D7]mutton,
But if [G]we go down to [C]Monto Town,
We [D]might get a drink for [G]nothin’.
Here’s a nice piece of advice,
I heard from an [C]old fish[D]monger,
When [G]food is scarce and ye [C]see the hearse,
Ye [D]know ye have died of [G]hunger!
[Final Chorus]
What will ye [C]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [G]you, sir!
And if [C]one of ye doesn’t [G]order soon,
We’ll be [D]thrown out of the [G]boozer!
🎵 Ending TipFinish by repeating the last line with gusto:
“We’ll be [D]thrown out of the [G]boozer!”
Then hit a strong final G chord (downstroke + let ring).
Below is the full version transposed to G, with an intro / turnaround riff adjusted for this key and clear pub-ready formatting.
🎵 The Waxies’ Dargle(Traditional Dublin Song – Key of G Major)
🎸 Intro / Turnaround Riff (Key of G)(Play before Verse 1 or between verses — lively and bouncy!)
| G major pickup into C chord | G turnaround back home | e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| B|-----0---1------|-----0----------|-----3-1-0------|-----0----------| G|---0---0---0----|---0---0--------|---0-----0------|---0---0--------| D|-0--------------|-2--------------|-0--------------|-0--------------| A|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| E|3---------------|----------------|3---------------|----------------| G chord feel C chord lift G turnaround Back to G
🎶 Suggested Strumming Pattern (4/4 Irish Pub Rhythm)↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
or for stronger drive:
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ (short, percussive strokes — think The Dubliners).
Lyrics with Chords (Key of G Major)[Verse 1]
Says [G]my old one to [C]your old one,
Will you [G]come to the Waxies’ [D7]Dargle?
Says [G]your old one to [C]my old one,
Sure I [D]haven’t got a [G]farthing.
I went up to Monto Town,
To see Uncle [C]McAr[D]dle,
But he [G]wouldn’t give me [C]half a crown,
To [D]go to the Waxies’ [G]Dargle.
[Chorus – Pub Refrain]
What will ye [C]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [G]you, sir!
And if [C]one of ye doesn’t [G]order soon,
We’ll be [D]thrown out of the [G]boozer!
[Verse 2]
Says [G]your old one to [C]my old one,
Will you [G]go to the Galway [D7]races?
Says [G]your old one to [C]my old one,
I’ll hump the [D]old man’s [G]braces!
I went down to Capel Street,
To the Jew man [C]moneyl[D]enders,
But they [G]wouldn’t give me a [C]couple of bob,
On the [D]old man’s red sus[G]penders!
[Chorus]
What will ye [C]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [G]you, sir!
And if [C]one of ye doesn’t [G]order soon,
We’ll be [D]thrown out of the [G]boozer!
[Verse 3]
Says [G]my old one to [C]your old one,
We have [G]no beef nor [D7]mutton,
But if [G]we go down to [C]Monto Town,
We [D]might get a drink for [G]nothin’.
Here’s a nice piece of advice,
I heard from an [C]old fish[D]monger,
When [G]food is scarce and ye [C]see the hearse,
Ye [D]know ye have died of [G]hunger!
[Final Chorus]
What will ye [C]have? I’ll have a pint!
I’ll have a pint with [G]you, sir!
And if [C]one of ye doesn’t [G]order soon,
We’ll be [D]thrown out of the [G]boozer!
🎵 Ending TipFinish by repeating the last line with gusto:
“We’ll be [D]thrown out of the [G]boozer!”
Then hit a strong final G chord (downstroke + let ring).
The waxies dargle sheet music score
