The Rambling Irishman Lyrics
The Wolfe TonesMusic Video
The Rambling Irishman
I am a rambling Irishman
In Ulster I was born in
And many the pleasant days I spent
Round the shores of sweet Lough Erne
But to be poor I could not endure
Like others of my station
To Americay I sailed away
And left this Irish nation
Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
Ry tan tin-a-noor in the nandy
Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
Ry tan tin-a-noor in the nandy
The night before I went away
I spent it with my darling
Three o'clock in the afternoon
Till the break of day next morning
But when that we were going to part
We leaned in each others arms
To Americay we soon set sail
A journey without no charms
Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
Ry tan tin-a-noor in the nandy
Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
Ry tan tin-a-noor in the nandy
[Traditional verse & chorus omitted by the artists:]
The very first night I slept on board
I dreamt about my Nancy
I dreamt I held her in my arms
And well she pleased well my fancy
But when I woke out of my dream
I found my bed was empty
You may be sure, and very sure
That I lay discontented
Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
Ry tan tin-a-noor in the nandy
Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
Ry tan tin-a-noor in the nandy
And when we reached the other side
We were both stout and healthy
We dropped our anchor in the bay
Going down for Philadelphi
So let every lass drink to her lad
In blue jacket and white trousers
And let every lad drink to his lass
And take them as life spouses.
Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
Ry tan tin-a-noor in the nandy
Ry tan tin-a-na, tan tin-a-na
Ry tan tin-a-noor in the nandy
Song Details
🎶 Music & Lyrics: Traditional
📝Song Brief: The song is about a poor Ulster-born Irishman who leaves his home town of Lough Erne and sets sail for America in the hope of a brighter future. He spends his last night in Ireland with his darling Nancy. When he arrives in Philadelphia, he urges every lad to drink to their lasses and 'take them as life spouses'.
✍️ Please Note: Although The Wolfe Tones omit the third verse in their recording, it has been included here. This verse describes the first night on the ship, when he dreams of holding his sweetheart in his arms, followed by his discontent the next morning as he wakes to an empty bed.
📖 Glossary:- Lough Erne
The name of two connected lakes — Upper and Lower Lough Erne — in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The area is known for its islands, waterways, and long association with traditional Ulster songs and stories. - Lough
The Irish and Scottish Gaelic word for “lake,” often anglicised as “loch.” It appears frequently in Irish place‑names and traditional ballads. - Ulster
One of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. It includes nine counties, six of which are in Northern Ireland and three in the Republic of Ireland. - Americay
A poetic or dialect form of “America,” commonly found in Irish folk songs, especially emigration ballads. - Philadelphi
shortened or dialect form of “Philadelphia,” the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a common destination for Irish emigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries.
🍀 Genre: Irish Folk Song
👥 Covers: Delores Keane, De Dannan, Niamh Parsons, The Dubliners, Corrib Folk, Niall Hanna, Starlite Singers, John McCutcheon, Allister Thompson, Oysterband, Spailpin feat. Column MacOireachtaigh, Noel Mcloughlin, Two Old Friends, Na Leanai Sands, Nita Conley Korn & Eileen Korn Estes, The Voice Squad.
🎙️ Featured Artists: The Wolfe Tones
💿 Album: Across The Broad Atlantic
Released: 1976
Country: Ireland
Format: 12" Vinyl
Label: Triskel Records
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