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, 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 (1940) and most notably Bing Crosby (1945), typically with an affected Irish accent.^[1] The inherent violence and Irish stereotyping in the song were better tolerated in their day than they are in the 21st Century.

Sample lyric

If there’s a fight, I’ll be all right,

I'll knock 'em cold, you see;

Because I have the old shillelagh

Father gave to me.

References