Sergeant William Bailey

[Verse 1]

Sergeant William Bailey was a man of high renown

Toora-loora-loora-loora-loo

In search of gallant young recruits he used to scour the town

Toora-loora-loora-loora-loo

His face was full and swarthy, of medals he had forty

And ribbons on his chest - red, white and blue

It is he what looked the hero, a he made the people stare-o

As he stood on Dunphy's corner, toora-loo

[Verse 2]

Now as Sergeant William Bailey on Dunphy's corner stands

Toora-loora-loora-loora-loo

Enticin' Dublin young lads for to die in foreign lands

Toora-loora-loora-loora-loo

For to improve their station, he shouts in high elation

To come and fight for king and country

But for all the noise he's makin', the bait they aren't takin'

From Sergeant William Bailey, toora-loo

[Verse 3]

Now alas for human greatness every dog he has his day

Toora-loora-loora-loora-loo

And Sergeant William Bailey he is gettin' old and grey

Toora-loora-loora-loora-loo

No longer youths are willin', to take his dirty shillin'

And things for him are lookin' mighty blue

For in spite of fife and drummin', no more recruits are comin'

To Sergeant William Bailey, toora-loo

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 4]

And now Sergeant William Bailey what a wretched sight to see

Toora-loora-loora-loora-loo

And the back that once was strong and straight's now almost bent in three

Toora-loora-loora-loora-loo

Some rebel youths with placards have called his army blaggards

And told the Irish youth just what to do

He has lost his occupation, let's sing in jubilation

For Sergeant William Bailey, toora-loo

[Instrumental Outro]