Paddy, me bhoy

It is of an American

A tale to you I'll tell

To find ancestral roots he came

To Ireland for a spell

The last night was a banquet,

The best he'd ever seen

And while he dined an orchestra

Was playing evergreens

He ate and drank and drank and ate

And listened to the songs

And all the while he hoped for one

Where he could sing along

So he approached the leader

To ask his orchestra

If they would play a favourite

Of his Irish grandmother

"She sang to me when at her knee

I played with childhood toys

I thought tonight I'd hear you play

Her song 'Paddy me boy'

"It was", said he "a rare old song

My grandmother's great joy

So please be quick and wave your stick

And play 'Paddy me boy'"

The orchestra were at a loss,

They didn't know the tune

The leader said "Its getting late,

We're due to finish soon

But we're here to please you,

We've no wish to annoy

If you can hum or whistle it,

We'll play 'Paddy me boy'"

He smiled his modest smile,

He'd much to be shy about

He had a think, he took a drink,

Was this a moment's doubt?

He blew his nose, he cleared his throat,

He coughed and struck a pose

"I'm not much of a singer, but

I'll do my best, here goes"

Oh…oh…oh…Oh Paddy me boy, is that the Chattanooga choo choo?