A popular song from 1916
Words by Stanley Murphy
Music by Albert Von Tilzer
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Gerd Westendorp:
Lyrics
- When times were hard in Ireland
And your Daddy crossed the foam
Your Uncle Sam said, “Welcome, Pat
Just make yourself at home
Here’s virgin land at your command
And every kind of seed
So take your hoe, and go and sow
And grow whate’er you need
Your Daddy’s rich today
But sure that’s how he got his start
So Laddie let me say to you
What’s here within my heart”
Chorus:
Keep a place down in your heart for Ireland
But in Uncle Sammy put your trust
Word and pray for him and march away for him
To help him fight his battles if you must
This is where your father made his home, sweet home
‘Tis your own dear heart’s desire land
So take your stand in Yankeeland
But keep a place down in your heart for Ireland
- I’ll ne’er forget the day
The neighbors whispered to your Dad
Your Irish wife presents you
With a little Yankee lad
My heart filled up with joy
And we were proud to watch your grow
We worked and saved that in your life
No hardship you would know
And when the years roll by, my boy
And you have children, too
Be sure and tell each one of them
Just what I’m telling you