Whiskey on a Sunday
The Irish Rovers Lyrics


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Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday

He sits in the corner of old beggar's bush
On top of an old packing crate
He has three wooden dolls
That can dance and can sing
And he croons with a smile on his face

Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday

His tired old hands tug away at the strings
And the puppets dance up and down
A far better show than you ever would see
In the fanciest theatre in town

Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday

And sad to relate that old Seth Davy died in 1904
The three wooden dolls in the dustbin were laid
His song will be heard nevermore

Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday

But some stormy night when you're passing that way
And the wind's blowing up from the sea
You'll still hear the song of old Seth Davy
As he croons to his dancing dolls three

Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday
Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday

Come day, go day
Wish in me heart it were Sunday




Drinking buttermilk through the week
Whiskey on a Sunday

Overall Meaning

The Irish Rovers' song Whiskey on a Sunday tells the story of an old man named Seth Davy who entertains the people passing by old Beggar's Bush in Dublin, Ireland. He sits on top of an old packing crate in the corner and has three wooden dolls that dance and sing to his tunes. The song describes how Seth Davy croons and smiles while pulling at the strings of his puppets. He brings forth a far better show than what one could expect from the fanciest theatre in town. The song also tells us that Seth Davy would have wished it was Sunday every day because that was the only day when he could afford to drink whiskey. The song depicts his life as a beggar in Dublin, who struggles to make ends meet, but still finds joy in entertaining passersby with his wooden dolls.


The second stanza of the song mentions that Seth Davy passed away in 1904, and his wooden dolls were discarded in the dustbin. The song portrays the loneliness of his death and the silence in his absence. The song is a tribute to the old man and the joy he brought to people's lives. It ends with the hope that on some stormy night, when the wind is blowing up from the sea, one can still hear the song of old Seth Davy as he croons to his dancing dolls three.


In all, the song tells a melancholic story of an old beggar entertaining people with his wooden dolls, whose happiness is limited to only one day of the week, the day he can afford whiskey. The song captures the essence of Irish culture and the struggles the Irish have faced over the years.


Line by Line Meaning

Come day, go day
Days come and go


Wish in me heart it were Sunday
I wish it was Sunday in my heart


Drinking buttermilk through the week
Drinking buttermilk all week long


Whiskey on a Sunday
Drinking whiskey on Sundays


He sits in the corner of old beggar's bush
There's a man who sits in the corner of old beggar's bush


On top of an old packing crate
He sits on top of an old packing crate


He has three wooden dolls
He owns three wooden dolls


That can dance and can sing
The dolls can dance and sing


And he croons with a smile on his face
He hums with a grin on his face


His tired old hands tug away at the strings
His worn-out hands pull the strings


And the puppets dance up and down
The dolls dance up and down


A far better show than you ever would see
A much better performance than you'd witness


In the fanciest theatre in town
In the most luxurious theater in the city


And sad to relate that old Seth Davy died in 1904
Unfortunately, old Seth Davy has passed in 1904


The three wooden dolls in the dustbin were laid
The three wooden dolls were thrown in the trash


His song will be heard nevermore
His singing voice will never be heard again


But some stormy night when you're passing that way
But on a stormy night when you're going by


And the wind's blowing up from the sea
And the sea wind is blowing


You'll still hear the song of old Seth Davy
You'll still hear the tune of old Seth Davy


As he croons to his dancing dolls three
As he hums and his dolls dance


Come day, go day
Days come and go


Wish in me heart it were Sunday
I wish it was Sunday in my heart


Drinking buttermilk through the week
Drinking buttermilk all week long


Whiskey on a Sunday
Drinking whiskey on Sundays




Contributed by Claire E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@inversion66

If you grew up in Canada in the '70s it was all but impossible to avoid the Irish Rovers.It's been a long time since I'd heard this one.  Lovely song and arrangement.

@akbarlebowitz8151

Funny you mention Canada because I first heard this song in 2008 living in Bristow, VA from a Canadian station ( In Toronto, Ontario I believe) that played a wide variety of songs.

@eddiew4063

Wow! I stumbled upon this song. The memories. My dad used to dance with me on his shoulder when I was a little guy.

I can still smell his cologne. So cool…

@randalholtzclaw6765

I bought this as a 45 RPM single when the song was getting radio play in the U.S. back in the late '60s. It's great to hear it again.

@adwebbjr6

I’m not Irish ☘️ but I love this wee ditty. ❤

@Evan345gdf

Well its an english song originally, based on a real guy in liverpool

@adwebbjr6

What? I had no idea.

@Evan345gdf

@Arbie Webb,Jr. definitely look into it, there’s even a photo of him

@grahamwride1240

Great rendition ....

@user-dz3ku8ob4o

Awesome

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