Dublin in the Rare Old Times

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Dublin in the Rare Old Times is a song composed by Pete St. John in 1982 . The song tells of the changes that have occurred in Dublin since the 60's . The song is sung by fans of Dublin GAA teams. The song is often just called The Rare Old Times. The song has been sung by many artists such as the Dubliners and Flogging Molly.

[edit] Lyrics

Chorus: Ring a ring a rosie,
as the light declines,
I remember Dublin city
in the rare old times.

Raised on songs and stories,
heroes of renown.
The passing tales and glories,
that once was Dublin town.
The hallowed halls and houses,
the haunting children's rhymes.
That once was part of Dublin,
in the rare old times.

Chorus

Oh me name it is Sean Dempsey
as Dublin as can be,
Born hard and late in Pimlico,
in a house that ceased to be.
By trade I was a cooper,
lost out to redundancy.
Like my house that fell to progress,
my trade's a memory.

And I courted Peggy Diugnan,
as pretty as you please,
A rogue and a child of Mary,
from the rebel Liberties.
I lost her to a student chap,
with skin as black as coal.
When he took her off to Birmingham,
she stole away my soul.

Chorus

The years have made me bitter,
the gargle dims my brain,
'Cause Dublin keeps on changing,
and nothing seems the same.
The pillar and the Met. have gone,
the Royal long since pulled down,
As the gray unyielding concrete,
makes a city of my town.

Chorus

Fare thee well sweet Anna Liffey,
I can no longer stay,
And watch the new glass cages,
that spring up along the quay.
My mind's too full of memories,
too old to hear new chimes,
I'm part of what was Dublin,
in the rare old times.

Chorus