Victor Record 17348—B. "Off to Philadelphia" (Old Irish Melody), Wilfred Glenn, accompaniment by Victor Orchestra. Bass. First issued circa early 1913. Played on my 1916 VV-X with the Exhibition Sound-Box.<br />8/31/08: Recorded March 31, 1913 in Camden N.J. two takes, the first take was issued, the second was destroyed.<br />"Adapted from an old Irish melody by Battison Haynes." VTMCo. ledger.<br /><br />Oh me name is Paddy Leary,<br />From a spot called Tipperary,<br />The hearts of all the girls I'm adornin'<br />But before the break of Mornin', <br />Faith they'll be all forlornin'<br />For I'm off to Philadelphia in the Mornin'.<br /><br /> With me bundle on me shoulder,<br />Faith there's no man could be bolder.<br />I'm leaving dear old Ireland without warnin'.<br />For I lately took the notion,<br />For to cross the briny ocean,<br />And I start for Philadelphia in the Mornin.<br /><br />There's a girl called Kate Malone,<br />Whom I hoped to call my own,<br />And to see my little cabin floor adornin.<br />But my heart is sad an weary,<br />How can she be Mrs. Leary?<br />If I start for Philadelphia in the mornin.<br /><br /> With me bundle on me shoulder,<br />Faith there's no man could be bolder.<br />I'm leaving dear old Ireland without warnin'.<br />For I lately took the notion,<br />For to cross the briny ocean,<br />And I start for Philadelphia in the Mornin.<br /><br /> When they told me I must leave the place,<br />I tried to keep a cheerful face.<br />For to show my heart's deep sorrow I was scornin,<br />But the tears will surely blind me,<br />For the friends I leave behind me,<br />When I start for Philadelphia in the mornin.<br /><br /> With me bundle on me shoulder,<br />And there's no man could be bolder,<br />As I leave this spot I was born in.<br />Yet someday I'll take the notion,<br />To come back across the ocean,<br />To my home in dear old Ireland, In the mornin.<br /><br /><br />Added Aug. 31, '08<br />Titanic buffs may remember this being sung in the Rank Organisation production of 'A Night to Remember'. Sung by Martin Gallagher played by Richard Clarke IIRC, during a party scene in steerage.<br /><br />I have had a difficult time finding out anything about this song, I am most interested in any information anyone may have regarding it. I now believe that it was at least arranged by a man of some note named Battison Haynes (1859-1900). Also I've found out this number was recorded at least twice by Harry Plunket Greene, in 1904 and '09 for the Gramophone Company (U.K.)<br /><br />A note from Mickthebridge opines the line in the first stanza is actually: "The hearts of all the girls I am a thorn in -", I'm inclined to agree upon a closer listen. Singers have put their own mark on songs time immemorial and of course I don't know where the website I cited above got their version of the lyrics from a recording or sheet music? It's always a fun time tracking down info and sharing thoughts on these great old numbers. Thank you Mick for spurring me on to a bit more research! :-)
