Arthur McBride - Andy Irvine

Andy Irvine at Mighty Fine Guitars, Lafayette, CA, September 2012. A Vortex Production, filmed and edited by Jeff Peach.
"Song lyrics graciously supplied by Patrick from 'AndyzFanz'.
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Note: Although most recordings of this song spell Arthur's surname as 'McBride', Andy himself spelt it 'MacBride' in his songbook ('Aiming For The Heart'), where he also wrote:
"This famous song would appear to me to have originated in Donegal or in Scotland. Its popularity was such that it travelled to England and America and has been recorded by Martin Carthy, Paul Brady and Planxty to name but a few.
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Arthur MacBride
Words & Music: trad., arr. Andy Irvine
I had a first cousin called Arthur MacBride
He and I took a stroll down by the seaside
Seekin' good fortune and what might betide
'T was just as the day was a-dawnin'
Then after restin' we both took a tramp
We met Sergeant Harper and Corporal Cramp
Besides the wee drummer who beat up for camp
With his rowdy-dow-dow in the morning
He says: "My young fellows, if you will enlist
A guinea you quickly will get in your fist
Besides a crown for to kick up the dust
And drink the king's health in the morning
For a soldier he leads a very fine life
He always is blessed with a charming young wife
And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife
Always lives happy and charming"
"And a soldier he always is decent and clean
In the finest of clothing he's constantly seen
While other poor fellows go dirty and mean
And sup on thin gruel in the morning"
Says Arthur: "I wouldn't be proud of your clothes
For you've only the lend of them as I suppose
And you dare not change them one night for you know
If you do you'll be flogged in the morning"
"And now, me bold sergeant, we are not for sale
We make no such bargain and your bribe won't avail
We're not tired of our country and we don't care to sail
Although that your offer is charming
And if we were such fools as to take the advance
It's right bloody slender would be our poor chance
For you'd have no scruple but to send us to France
Where we would be shot without warning"
Now says the sergeant: "If I hear but one word
I instantly now will out with my sword
And into your bodies as strength will afford
So now my gay devils take warning"
But Arthur and I we took in the odds
We gave them no chance for to launch out their swords
Our whacking shillelaghs came over their heads
And paid them right smart in the morning
As for the wee drummer, we rifled his pouch
And we made a football of his rowdy-dow-dow
Into the ocean to rock and to roll
We bade it a tedious returning
As for the old rapier that hung by his side
We flung it as far as we could in the tide
"To the devil I pit you", says Arthur MacBride
"To temper your steel in the morning!"
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[@Jervify]

Superb

[@noahfanzerbutz3510]

I saw Andy back in the 90s at a small lodge in Penninsula, Ohio, I think. At the end, he asked for any requests. I requested Arthur McBride, and he obliged by playing this version. Sublime.

[@ron88303]

He is definitely in my pantheon of great artists . . . of any era and genre.

[@rimaphil]

love you Andy, down with all facists that would enslave us.......and benifit from our hard work and ultimately our demise. Freedom, through independence,union,and personal strength. Trust in yourself,seek and you shall find......never sell out.

[@greganderson4635]

This is the best version of this song!

[@beybarys]

Simply grand... :-D Big applauses, Andy!!!!!!!!

[@2468pebble]

Never heard/seen this version before. Magic.

[@ThreeTimesThrough]

Without a doubt one of my favorite songs of all time. From Paul Brady's version to Planxty and now Andy's solo, a truly great tune. It is one of our bands favorite vocals, although ours is more of a Planxty version.

[@LuigiDeSantis-p7t]

Grande andy

[@SpoonTina]

touching. thanks for posting it

[@ThreeTimesThrough]

Yes, a great song that has taken on many forms over the years!

[@sillystrings]

Surprised people are so unhappy with this...Paul's is my favorite version too, but this is so damn fun. I mean, the picking! Not to mention that harmonica solo.

[@wolframfreiling]

Yeahhh!

[@jack317]

Twice as good as Bob Dylan and Neil Young combined!

[@johnnoonan4775]

Dave Mustaine would struggle with this!!! Amazing.

[@Wotkenmendo88]

It's pretty intense, but I do enjoy it.

[@LeftHeadKick]

Anyone know what key this harmonica is in?

[@BoazKimMusic]

It's a harmonica in Bb that is country-tuned (the 5 hole draw is sharpened up a half step to E natural). I hope that helps.

[@LeftHeadKick]

Drworm89 Thanks a lot mate, much appreciated.

[@AnBhfacaTuMoBristi]

I love Planxty and Andy, but can't say I'm fan of this recording. Too fast and very little melody. I find it odd considering that he is actually quite a good singer.

[@porterhall27]

paul brady version is the best

[@r3d3y3si]

inertia27 I agree spellbinding voice and guitar

[@gibsonmemphis7675]

​@@r3d3y3si aye, but those voice and guitar they kinda don't get along with the lyrics:)) i think Andy's tune and Planxty's arrangement suit for the lyrics far better

[@r3d3y3si]

@@gibsonmemphis7675 I disagree.

[@gibsonmemphis7675]

@@r3d3y3si allright, but i still think that in the songs like "the lakes of pontchatrain" or "paddy's green shamrock shore" the tempo, melodies and manner (in general) suit the lyrics way better than they do in "arthur mcbride"

[@seamusdaly7364]

1o

[@seamusdaly7364]

Great

[@declanroberts6054]

no melody hard to believe you of all people

[@3storiesUp]

It still sounds uggghhh Andy.. sorry .. nice effort.

[@beybarys]

Too fast.. With no soul... Simply commercial... Watched this one better style by the same Andy Irvine...

[@killingmewillnotbringbacky9177]

aaaand what exactly was wrong with doing it the old planxty way again? This tart version is confused.