One hundred years ago this week, with the Great War underway, the Molong Argus introduced its readers to Tipperary, "the song being sung by soldiers as they march along the roads in France". Its chorus has become the best-known song of the Great War, but the whole ditty turns out to be about love, not war. Homesick, lovelorn Paddy is in London but has just received a letter from home that has him bidding the mighty metropolis goodbye. All together now, readers!
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Up to mighty London came an Irishman one day,
As the streets were paved with gold, sure ev'ry one was gay,
Singing songs of Piccadilly, Strand and Leicester Square,
It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go,
It's a long way to Tipperary,
To the sweetest girl I know!
Goodbye Piccadilly! Farewell Leicester Square!
It's a long, long way to Tipperary,
But my heart's right there!
Paddy wrote a letter to his Irish Molly O',
Saying "Should you not receive it, write and let me know!
If I make mistakes in spelling, Molly dear", said he,
"Remember it's the pen that's bad, don't lay the blame on me"
(Chorus again)
Molly wrote a neat reply to Irish Paddy O',
Saying "Mike Maloney wants to marry me, and so,
Leave the Strand and Piccadilly, or you'll be to blame,
For love has fairly drove me silly - hoping you're the same!"
(Chorus one more time)