Burl Ives
Lyric guide

Mrs. McGrath

Read Mrs. McGrath lyrics by Burl Ives on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Burl Ives visibility2 visits Video on page
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Burl Ives Canonical path: /burl-ives/mrs-mcgrath Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

Mrs. McGrath

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

Now, Mrs. McGrath," the sergeant said,

"Would you like to make a soldier

Out of your son, Ted?

With a scarlet cloak and a fine cocked hat,

Mrs. McGrath wouldn't you like that?"

Mrs. McGrath lived on the seashore

For the span of seven long years or more

'Till she saw big ship sailing into the bay

Saying,"Here's my son Ted! Won't you clear the way!"

"Oh, Captain dear, where have you been.

Have you been out sailin' on the Meditereen'.

Tell me the news of my son Ted.

Is the poor boy livin' or is he dead?"

Now up comes Ted without any legs

And in their place he has two wooden pegs

She kissed him a dozen times or two

Saying "Holly Molly! Sure, it couldn't be you?"

Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com

"Now was you drunk or was you blind

When you left your two fine legs behind?

Or was it out walking upon the sea

That tore your legs from the ground to the knee?"

"No I wasn't drunk and I wasn't blind

When I left my two fine legs behind.

For a cannon ball on the fifth of May

Took my two fine legs from the knees away."

"Now Teddy me boy," the old widow cried

"Your two fine legs was your mama's pride

Them stumps of a tree won't do at all

Why didn't you run from the big cannon ball?"

"Now against all war, I do profrain

Between Don Juan and the King of Spain

And, by herrons, I'll make 'em rue the time

When they swept the legs from a child of mine."

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Mrs. McGrath"?

Burl Ives performs "Mrs. McGrath", and this lyric page sits inside the Burl Ives catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Mrs. McGrath"?

Yes. The related section below points to Amazing Grace and Among My Souvenirs with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Burl Ives?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Burl Ives's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on Mrs. McGrath yet.