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Streets of Baltimore
(Lyrics and music by Martin O'Malley)
To work the land from dawn to dusk
was Father’s highest goal.
And I sat myself to do the same
when the dear Lord took his soul.
But the land we worked was not our own
and the fruit of my two hands
was carted off to England
to suit the Landlord’s plans.
By the black year ’47
the landlord’s game was plain
Starvation was the rent we’d pay
in a country filled with grain.
Mid sobs of hungry children
we left the shamrock shore
And traded desperation
for the home of Baltimore.
Chorus:
Come up on the deck this morning
and give your hand to me.
And see the flag that flies above
this new land of the free.
Come up on the deck this morning
and dance upon the shore.
And walk with me to freedom
through the streets of Baltimore.
Our voyage was a hard one
on Atlantic’s icy waves.
Free passage on a coffin ship
the landlord used as slaves.
Trading every scrap we had
to keep the children well
paying for salvation
from that rolling wretched hell.
With every passing day it seemed
we buried friends at sea
and wondered if we’d stayed at home
how worse our plight could be.
With fever, rage at fore and aft
we finally reached the bay
and thanked the Lord that died for us
we’d lived until that day.
(chorus)
Well, from that day to this one
I’ve made it on my own
with a helping hand from Father Mac
and the mighty B&O.
A little house near St. John’s
and a grandchild on the way.
We often light a candle
as we think about that day.
For to leave our homes in Ireland
it left us numb with pain.
And the parents that we left behind
we never saw again.
If I live to be one hundred
on America’s brave shore.
I never will forget the day
we came to Baltimore.
(chorus)
® Martin O'Malley |
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