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A song written 100 years ago ! The Kelly Song: music video version, a favorite of family historians and genealogists here at the Irish Roots Cafe. Common Irish names have always posed unique challenges. This song tells of leaving County Cork, Ireland in search of Uncle Martin Kelly in America. Same situation we have today dealing with Irish surnames, though the song was written a century ago ! Sung here by Mike O'Laughlin at the Irish Roots Cafe. (more information at www.Irishroots.com). Lyrics below.

This version, was made in preparation for his final album: 'Irish Song, Traditional and Sean Nós', released in 2013, also available at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michaelcolau...

Three weeks ago last Tuesday,
I left me home in Cork
To find me Uncle Martin Kelly
living in New York.
When I landed in Hoboken
and began without delay

To find me uncle's residence
located in Broadway.
I went to their directory
me uncle for to find,

But I found so many Kellys there
that I nearly lost me mind.
Well, I went and asked directions
from a friendly German Jew,
But he says, "Please, excuse me,
but me name is Kelly too."

And there's Kelly, the barman, Kelly the carman,
Kelly the sailor who came from Donegal,
Kelly from Derry, Kelly from Kerry,
But the Kelly I was looking for, I could not find at all.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I travelled up to Boston,
that city of great fame.
I heard the Kellys living there
had made themselves a name.

The Kellys run the statehouse.
The Kellys run the banks.
The police and fire department,
sure, the Kellys fill the ranks.

Dan Kelly runs the railroad. John Kelly runs the seas.
Kate Kelly runs the suffragettes
and she looks right good to me.
Well, I went and asked directions
from a naturalized Chinese,
But he says, "Please, excuse me,
but me name it is Kell Lee."

And there's Kelly from Dublin, Kelly from Sligo,
Little Mickey Kelly who came from the County Clare,
Sure, Kelly built the pyramids
with good old Galway granite,
And when Kelly discovered the North Pole,
sure, he found Pat Kelly there.

Recorded at the Irish Song and Recitation Festival. Irish illustrations from the archives of the IGF.
The Irish Roots Cafe and Hedge school features Irish Genealogy; History; travel and traditional Irish song, including old style Sean Nós singing. Founded by Michael C. O'Laughlin in 1978 with headquarters at http://www.irishroots.com/

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