# It's the Same Old Shillelagh

"It's the Same Old Shillelagh" is an Irish novelty song written by Pat White. Its subject is a young Irish-American who inherits his father's shillelagh. The composer himself recorded this song on May 25, 1927 for Victor Records (No. 20760), and the record was distributed through the Yorkville Phonograph Shop in New York City. RCA Victor pressed the record, but it carried a custom "Yorkville" label.
It was recorded by various artists of Irish-American ancestry, such as Billy Murray (recorded with Harry's Tavern Band, Bluebird 10811, 1940) and most notably Bing Crosby (recorded December 6, 1945 and included in his album St. Patrick's Day), typically with an affected Irish accent.
Dennis Day included the song on his album Shillelaghs & Shamrocks! (1961).
Glen Daly included the song on his album It's Glen Again - "Live" at the Ashfield, Glasgow (1970).

## Lyrics

An early, public version:
   Sure it's the same old shillelagh Me father brought from Ireland. And divil a man prouder than He, As he walked with it in his hand. He'd lead the band on Paddy's Day And twirle it round his mitt And divil a bit we'd laught at it Or Dad would have a fit Sure with the same old shillelagh Me father could lick a dozen men As fast as they'd get up be gorry, He'd knock'em down again And many's the time he used it on me To make me understand The same old shillelagh Me father brought from Ireland.
The Bing Crosby version:
   Oh, 50 years ago, me father left old Erins shore He landed here, a Shillelagh in hand and devil a little more He got a job, then got a wife, then a family And then he died and left his old shillelagh stick to me
   Sure it's the same old shillelagh me father brought from Ireland And devil a man prouder than he, as he walked with it in his hand He'd lead the band on Paddy's Day and twirl it 'round his mitt And devil a bit, we'd laughted at it, poor dad would have a fit.
   Sure with the same old shillelagh, me father could lick a dozen men As fast as they'd get up be gory, he'd knock 'em down again And many's the time he used it on me to make me understand The same old shillelagh, me father brought from Ireland
   I'm going on the police force, it's the only thing to do Instead of having one night stick, be gory, I'll have two If there's a fight I'll be alright, nobody bothers me Because I have the old Shillelagh me father gave to me
   Sure it's the same old shillelagh me father brought from Ireland And devil a man prouder than he, as he walked with it in his hand He'd lead the band on Paddy's Day and twirl it 'round his mitt And devil a bit, we'd laughed at it or Dad would have a fit
   Sure with the same old shillelagh me father could lick a dozen men As fast as they'd get up be gory, he'd knock 'em down again And many's the time he used it on me to make me understand The same old shillelagh me father brought from Ireland
   Sure it's the same old shillelagh me father brought from Ireland And devil a man prouder than he, as he walked with it in his hand He'd lead the band on Paddy's Day and twirl it 'round his mitt And devil a bit, we'd laughed at it or Dad would have a fit
   Sure with the same old shillelagh me father could lick a dozen men As fast as they'd get up be gory, he'd knock 'em down again And many's the time he used it on me to make me understand The same old shillelagh me father brought from Ireland The same old shillelagh he brought from Ireland