Sergeant And Mrs. McGrath

Words and Music by :  
Publisher:  

Recorded by
Belafonte Folk Singers - LSP-1760
Burl Ives - DL8444  
The Womenfolk - LSP2821  

Lyrics:

Missis McGrath the sergeant said
Would you like to make a soldier
Out of your son Ted
With a scarlet coat and a three cocked hat
Now Missis McGrath wouldn't you like that

With your too-ri-aa, fol de diddle aa
Too-ri-oo-ri-oo-ri-aa
With your too-ri-aa, fol de diddle aa
Too-ri-oo-ri-oo-ri-aa

So Mrs. McGrath lived by the sea
For the space of seven long years or more
Till she saw the ship sail into the bay
It's my son Ted won't you clear the way

With your too-ri-aa, fol de diddle aa
Too-ri-oo-ri-oo-ri-aa
With your too-ri-aa, fol de diddle aa
Too-ri-oo-ri-oo-ri-aa


Then up comes Ted without any legs
And in their place two wooden pegs,
She kissed him a dozen times or more
Crying oh my God but it isn't you

With your too-ri-aa, fol de diddle aa
Too-ri-oo-ri-oo-ri-aa
With your too-ri-aa, fol de diddle aa
Too-ri-oo-ri-oo-ri-aa


Oh Teddy me boy his mother cried
Them two fine legs was this widow's pride
Them stumps of a tree wouldn't do at all
Why didn't you run from the cannon ball

Remember mamma when the sergeant said
Would you like to make a soldier
out of your son Ted
With a scarlet coat and a three cocked hat
Now Mrs. McGrath wouldn't you like that