This now-traditional Irish song, written by Samuel Lover (who also wrote "The Girl I Left Behind Me" and "I'm Not Myself At All") around 1851, was recorded by pioneer McCool for Victor on August 20 of 1905. It sold strongly
enough for Victor to keep it listed in their catalog into 1918. John McCormack's version was also available through Victor, in their classical series, but this older recording was retained on the lower-cost black label. Those
who've read James Joyce will be familiar with this song through the lyric quotations in both "Finnegan's Wake" and "Ulysses." There have been many recordings of this tune since then, but this one by McCool retains a certain crude
charm. The surface of this particular disc was better than average, being a late pressing, and once the crackle was removed it actually sounded pretty good.
