All for me grog
Scrum Lyrics


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And it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog
All for me beer and tobacco
Well I spent all me tin, with me laddies drinkin' gin
Far across the western ocean I must wander

Now where is me shirt, me noggin' noggin' shirt
It's all sold for beer and tobacco
You see the sleeves were all worn out and the collar torn about
And the tail was looking out for better weather

And it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog
All for me beer and tobacco
Well I spent all me tin, with me laddies drinkin' gin
Far across the western ocean I must wander

Now where is me wife, me noggin' noggin' wife
(You sold her for beer and tobacco!)
You see her front it was worn out and her tail I kicked about
And I'm sure she's lookin' out for better weather

And it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog
All for me beer and tobacco
Well I spent all me tin, with me laddies drinkin' gin
Far across the western ocean I must wander

I'm sick in the head and I haven't been to bed
Since first I came ashore with me plunder
I've seen centipedes and snakes and me head is full of aches
And I have to take a path for way out yonder

And it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog
All for me beer and tobacco




Well I spent all me tin, with me laddies drinkin' gin
Far across the western ocean I must wander

Overall Meaning

"All for Me Grog" is a traditional Irish song that has been popular for centuries. The song is about a sailor who has spent all his money on grog, beer, and tobacco and must now wander far and wide across the ocean. Throughout the song, the sailor regrets his choices, including selling his shirt, and even his wife, for more drinks. He recounts the various trials and tribulations he has faced as a result of his addiction to alcohol, including seeing centipedes and snakes and having a head full of aches.


The song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of overindulgence in alcohol and the consequences that come with it. The sailor's struggles and misfortunes serve as a warning to others to avoid similar paths. The chorus, "All for me grog, me jolly jolly grog, all for me beer and tobacco," emphasizes the sailor's single-minded focus on his addictions.


Interestingly, the song is believed to have originated in the late 18th or early 19th century and was popularized as a sea shanty in the mid-19th century. It was sung by sailors during their long voyages across the ocean and has since become a popular drinking song in Ireland and beyond. The song has been covered by various artists, including The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, and The Pogues.


Line by Line Meaning

And it's all for me grog, me jolly jolly grog
All the drinks I have are only mine to consume, and they make me happy


All for me beer and tobacco
I am willing to spend my money on beer and cigarettes


Well I spent all me tin, with me laddies drinkin' gin
I spent all my money on gin while hanging out with my friends


Far across the western ocean I must wander
I must travel far away to find more alcohol


Now where is me shirt, me noggin' noggin' shirt
I don't know where my shirt is


It's all sold for beer and tobacco
Maybe I sold it to purchase more beer and cigarettes


You see the sleeves were all worn out and the collar torn about
My shirt was old and worn out


And the tail was looking out for better weather
The shirt was also torn at the bottom


Now where is me wife, me noggin' noggin' wife
I don't know where my wife is


(You sold her for beer and tobacco!)
(This is a joke implying that I sold her for alcohol)


You see her front it was worn out and her tail I kicked about
My wife's clothes were old and torn, and I was mean to her


And I'm sure she's lookin' out for better weather
She probably left me because of my behavior and is looking for a better future


I'm sick in the head and I haven't been to bed
My mental state is not good and I haven't slept for a while


Since first I came ashore with me plunder
Since I first came to shore with my loot from the sea


I've seen centipedes and snakes and me head is full of aches
I've encountered dangerous animals and my head hurts


And I have to take a path for way out yonder
I must take a long journey to reach my desired destination




Contributed by Ella J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@binacraine3552

This SURE is a new version of the good old song - real cool!

@tok5928

scrum topperrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs!!!!!!!!

@alfredsonntag

aalways nice to hear

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