Henrik Norbeck's Song Lyrics

Sullivan's John

O'Sullivan's John
Sheet Music (and more information about this song)

Oh, Sullivan's John to the road you've gone far away from your native home.
You've gone with the tinker's daughter all along the road to roam.
Ah, Sullivan's John you won't stick it long till your belly will soon get slack.
You'll be goin' the road with a mighty load and a tool box upon your back.

I met Katey Coffey with her neat baby, behind on her back strapped on.
She'd an old ash plant all in her hand for to drive her donkey on,
Enquiring at every farmer's house, as along the road she'd pass,
As to where she'd get an old pot to mend, or where would she swap an ass.

There's a hairy ass fair in the County Clare in a place they call Spancil Hill,
Where my brother James got a rap of a hames, and poor Paddy they tried to kill.
They loaded him up on an old ass and cart, while Kate and Mary looked on.
Oh, bad luck to the day that I went away to join with the tinker band.

Sullivan's John to the road you've gone far away from your native home
You're gone with the tinker's daughter all along the road to roam
Sullivan's John you won't stick it long till your belly will soon get slack
You'll be goin' the road with a heavy load and a tool box upon your back

Comp: Words by Pecker Dunne (1933-2012)

Discography: The Dubliners
Sweeney's Men

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