People were asking for Irish songs for St. Patrick’s day singalongs and games. So we did are research and gathered together 17 Irish and Irish Drinking Songs in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. These lyrics are mostly the tradition version of the songs and they may or may not be copyrighted, we do not own any of these songs but are sharing the information for entertainment purposes only. Enjoy these 17 Irish songs for Irish and St. Patrick’s Day parties and events.
1. Oh Danny Boy
Author: Fred Weatherly
2. Wild Rover
3. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Authors Chauncey Olcott and George Graff Jr.
4. Drunken’ Sailor
Some versions have a different verse order.
5. I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover
6. Harrigan
7. Beer, Beer, Beer (Charlie Mopps)
In all cases, the lyrics in the Irish and drinking songs are the traditional lyrics. Local or regional areas of Ireland and the US may use altered or revised words for some lines or even an entire verse. We have also notice that verse order is often changed, as we found more the five different variations of Drunken Sailor!
8. Whiskey in the Jar
9. Irish Lullaby aka Too Ra Loo Ral
Author J.R. Shannon – Original Lyrics
10. McNamara’s Band
Author: John J. Stamford
11. Seven Drunken Nights
12. My Wild Irish Rose
Author Chauncey Olcott
13. The Unicorn Song
Author Shel Silverstein and made famous by the Irish Rovers
Here are the first 4 verses of the Unicorn Song
A long time ago when the Earth was green,
There was more kinds of animals then you’ve ever seen.
And they’d run around free while the world was being born.
The loveliest of all was the Unicorn!
There was green alligators and long necked geese,
Hump back camels and chimpanzees.
Cats and rats and elephants but sure a you’re born,
The loveliest of all was the Unicorn!
But the Lord seen some sinnin’ and it caused him pain.
He says, “Stand back, I’m gonna make it rain.
So hey, Brother Noah, I’ll tell you what to do.
Go and build me a floating zoo.”
“You’ll take two alligators and a couple of geese,
Two hump back camels and two chimpanzees.
Two cats, two rats, two elephants but as sure as you’re born,
Noah, don’t you forget my unicorns!”
Author George L. Giefer
15. Seven Old Ladies (Stuck / Locked in the Lavatory
Sun in the tune of Oh Dear! What Can the Matter Be?
We have found several versions of this song and while the chorus is almost always the same but the verse are unique.
16. Real Old Mountain Dew / Rare Old Mountain Dew
We found several variation of this song and went with the older lyrics of Real Old Mountain Dew but added in the the chorus from the updated version that is often sung in Irish pubs.
17. Rocky Road to Dublin
Another Irish song that has various lyrics, this is a traditional version of the song.
We hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy these Irish songs for your party. Party Game Ideas does not own the copyright to the songs and we understand that many of the traditional Irish songs have many variations. We hope you enjoy our list of 17 Irish Songs for our favorite Irish day – St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th.
