The Potato Song (Theatrical)
Celebrating the Irish national vegetable in song. Part of the soon-to-be-released "Christmas O'Carolan Songbook, Vol. 1"
I'm retired and living in High Point, NC, with my wife, Carol, an artist.
I have been writing songs and music since 2005 and am still learning to play guitar. Many of my songs are Christian contemporary worship songs, and others are pop rock or comedy/novelty pieces. Until I moved to High Point I practiced with an acoustic string band called Bishop's Bridge in Greensboro, NC, that plays mostly Celtic, folk and old time music (Contact Vance Archer at vance_d_archeriii@yahoo.com).
The songs on my Band Page were produced in my home studio using PrintMusic and Cubase. I hope you enjoy the result.
(Photo: "Can I play too?" Grandson Zain & me on my son Todd's Yamaha, taken in the mid-2000s.)
Story behind the song
Paddy, Mick, Sean, Jack & Conor, barflies at O'Donald's Pub in 18th Century Ballyfoulmouth, Ireland, for 25 years, contemplate Jack's future.
*Chorus music & all English lyrics (C) Walt Pilcher
Lyrics
The Potato Song
(It’s a mouthful)
Chorus
I’d plant me some potatoes if only I’d a hoe.
I’d have a little garden and plant them row by row.
I’d pray for rain and sunshine and hope the buggers grow.
I’m Irish, yes, and I’d do me best, if only I’d a hoe!
(Repeat)
Verse 1 (tune of The Irish Washerwoman, Part A)
Now there’s Irish and Russets and Yellows and Fingerlings,
Pink Eyes and Pontiacs, tubers for everything.
Big Golden Wonders and Almonds and Chiloes,
Burbanks and Roosters and Desirees too!
And there’s White ones and Blue ones and Murphys and Idahoes,
Jerseys, Atlantics, Clavelas and Congos and,
Royals and Kestrels, King Edwards and Fonteneys.
You find a new one, we’ll name it for you!
Verse 2 (tune of The Irish Washerwoman, Part B)
Oh we’ll roast ‘em and steam ‘em and boil ‘em in water, and
Mash ‘em with gravy or pour on the butter, or
Bake ‘em and stuff ‘em with bacon and cheese, we’ll
Dice ‘em or cube ‘em and serve up a stew.
Oh there’s hash browns and French fries and chips for a dippin’ and
Twice baked potatoes or scalloped au gratin, we’ll
Serve ‘em in casseroles, just as you please.
I’ll have potato cakes, latkes for you!
(Repeat both parts)
Hava Nagila
Hava nagila, hava nagila
Hava nagila, vay-nis-ma-cha
Hava nagila, hava nagila
Hava nagila, vay-nis-ma-cha
Hava na-ra-na-na, hava na-ra-na-na
hava na-ra-na-na, vay-nis-ma-cha
Hava na-ra-na-na, hava na-ra-na-na
hava na-ra-na-na, vay-nis-ma-cha
U-ru, u-ru a-chim
Uru achim b'lev sa-may-ach, uru achim b'lev sa-may-ach
Uru achim b'lev sa-may-ach, uru achim b'lev sa-me-ach
Uru achim, Uru achim, b'lev sa - may - ah
Chorus (reprise)
I’d plant me some potatoes if only I’d a hoe.
I’d have a little garden and plant them row by row.
I’d pray for rain and sunshine and hope the buggers grow.
I’m Irish, yes, and I’d do me best,
If only I'd a hoe!
