Paddy Clancy, was an Irish folk singer best known as a member of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. In addition to singing and storytelling, Clancy played the harmonica with the group, which is widely credited with popularising Irish traditional music in the United States and revitalising it in Ireland. He also started and ran the folk music label Tradition Records, which recorded many of the key figures of the American folk music revival.
Clancy was one of eleven children and the eldest of four boys born to Johanna McGrath and Bob Clancy in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary.
Clancy died at home of lung cancer at the age of 76. He was buried, wearing his trademark white cap, in the tiny village of Faugheen, near Carrick-on-Suir.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.
‘The Wild Rover’
I’ve been a wild rover for many’s the year
I’ve spent all me money on whiskey and beer
But now I’m returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more
And it’s No, Nay, never,
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more
I went in to an alehouse I used to frequent
And I told the landlady me money was spent
I asked her for credit, she answered me nay
Such a customer as you I can have any day
And it’s No, Nay, never,
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more
I took up from my pocket, ten sovereigns bright
And the landlady’s eyes opened wide with delight
She says “I have whiskeys and wines of the best
And the words that you told me were only in jest”
And it’s No, Nay, never,
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more
I’ll go home to my parents, confess what I’ve done
And I’ll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And, when they’ve caressed me as oft times before
I never will play the wild rover no more
And it’s No, Nay, never,
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover,
No never no more