One of the most lasting songs of World War I, “It’s A Long Way To Tipperary” originated as just another British music hall piece, allegedly written overnight and played the next day for a 5-shilling bet. (More likely it was conventionally written by Jack Judge and Harry Williams over a longer perio...
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
Till Paddy got excited, then he shouted to them there:
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"
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!
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!"
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!