Paddy McGinty's Goat

Val Doonican

About Paddy McGinty's Goat

"Paddy McGinty's Goat" is a comic song written in 1917 by English songwriters Bert Lee and R. P. Weston in collaboration with the American performing duo The Two Bobs. It tells the story of an aggressive goat which comes to the village of Killaloe in Ireland and terrorises it by butting its inhabitants and eating everything in sight. The song was performed in music halls from 1917 by The Two Bobs. The Irish baritone Mick O'Brian performed it for the cinema in a Pathé News short in 1942. It was recorded by the Irish singer Val Doonican in 1964 on the Decca label as the B Side of "Delaney's Donkey". Although it never made the hit parade in the UK, it came to be associated with the singer and became well known through him. It was recorded by the Ennis Sisters of Canada in 2003. The 4/4 melody is in D major on the original sheet music, with a D sharp diminished passing chord between the phrases. The second half of each stanza moves to a higher register. It was originally published by Francis, Day & Hunter. 


Year:
2008
2:31
4,501 
#9

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Now Patrick McGinty, an Irishman of note
Fell in for a fortune, and he bought himself a goat
Say's he, "sure, of goat's milk I'm going to have me fill"
But when he brought the nanny home, he found it was a bill

All the young ladies who live in Killaloo
They're all wearing bustles like their mothers used to do
They each wear a bolster beneath the petticoat
And leave the rest to providence and Paddy McGinty's goat

Mrs Burke to her daughter said, "listen, Mary Jane
Who was the lad you were cuddling in the lane?
He'd long wiry whiskers a' hanging from his chin"
"'T was only Pat McGinty's goat," she answer'd with a grin

Then she went away from the village in disgrace
She came back with powder and paint upon her face
She'd rings on her fingers, and she wore a sable coat
And I'll bet your life she didn't get those from Paddy McGinty's goat

Now Norah McCarthy the knot was going to tie
She washed out her trousseau and hung it out to dry
Along came the goat and he saw the bits of white
And chewed up all her falderals, and on her wedding night

"Oh turn out the light quick!" she shouted out to Pat
For though l'm your bride, sure l'm not worth looking at
I had two of everything, I told you when I wrote
But now I've won another naught through Paddy McGinty's goat

Mickey Riley he went to the races t'other day
He won twenty dollars and shouted, "hip hooray"
He held up the note, shouting "look at what I've got"
The goat came up and grabbed at it and swallowed all the lot

"He's eaten me banknote," said Mickey, with the hump
They went for the doctor and they got a stomach pump
They pumped and they pumped for that twenty dollar note
But all they got was ninepence out of Paddy McGinty's goat

Now old Paddy's goat had a wonderous appetite
And one day for breakfast he ate some dynamite
A big box of matches he swallowed all serene
And out he went and swallowed up a quarter paraffin

He sat by the fireside, he didn't give a hang
He swallowed a spark and exploded with a bang
So if you go to heaven you can bet a dollar note
That the angel with the whiskers on is Paddy McGinty's goat

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Val Doonican

Val Doonican (born Michael Valentine Doonican, 3 February 1927, Waterford, Ireland) is an Irish singer. From 1965 to 1986 he was a regular fixture on the BBC Television's schedule with The Val Doonican Show, which featured his own singing performances and a variety of guest artists. A notably relaxed crooner, Doonican had 5 successive Top 10 albums in the UK Albums Chart in the swinging sixties. more »

0 fans

Written by: BERT LEE, R P WESTON

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origins
"Paddy McGinty's Goat" is an Irish folk song that has been passed down through generations. It was popularized in the 20th century by prominent Irish artists.
Artist Information
The song was notably played by Val Doonican, an Irish singer and tv personality who had his show in the 1960s and 70s. Doonican brought Irish traditional music to a wider international audience.
Track Popularity
Among Doonican's many songs, "Paddy McGinty's Goat" was particularly popular, especially in live performances. People enjoyed his humorous interpretation of the song's lyrics.
Chart Performance
The song was released in 1962 and entered the UK Singles Chart in September 1962. It reached a peak position of number 5.
Album Information
This song is a part of the album "The Very Best of Val Doonican." The album in itself is a compilation of Doonican's greatest hits.
Song Concept
The song tells a funny and whimsical tale of a goat who assists its owner, Paddy McGinty, in various peculiar ways.
Unique Instrumentation
The song is well known for its distinct instrumentation, which includes Val Doonican's signature acoustic guitar, and a lively backing band featuring a variety of traditional Irish instruments.
Pop Culture
"Paddy McGinty's Goat" is often heard around Saint Patrick's Day, a testament to its roots in Irish folklore and its lasting impact on Irish popular culture.
Licensing Use
As a classic piece of Irish folklore set to music, the song has been used for countless performances, covered by other artists, and licensed for film and tv.
Live Performances
Val Doonican often performed this song in his live concerts, and his audiences always received it with great enjoyment and laughter, enhancing its popularity across the world.

Discuss the Paddy McGinty's Goat Lyrics with the community:

1 Comment
  • Paddy Brady
    Paddy Brady
    What is the finger picking pattern for paddy McGintys goat?
    LikeReply3 years ago

Citation

Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"Paddy McGinty's Goat Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/14920076/Val+Doonican/Paddy+McGinty%27s+Goat>.

Missing lyrics by Val Doonican?

Know any other songs by Val Doonican? Don't keep it to yourself!

Watch the song video

Paddy McGinty's Goat

56,716
297     14

Browse Lyrics.com

Quiz

Are you a music master?

»
Who co-wrote and performs the pop hit Fight Song?
A Olivia
B Billie Eilish
C Ariana Grande
D Rachel Platten

Free, no signup required:

Add to Chrome

Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

Free, no signup required:

Add to Firefox

Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

Val Doonican tracks

On Radio Right Now

Loading...

Powered by OnRad.io


Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!