Dicey Reilly
Irish folk
A traditional Irish song written by Brendan Behan at the start of the 20th century. It tells the tale of an alcoholic call girl from Dublin. The song is uncertain whether Dicey Reilly was a real person, or if she was entirely fictional.
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she has taken to the sup
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she will never give it up
For it's off each morning to the pop
And then she's in for another little drop
For the heart of the rowl is Dicey Reilly
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she has taken to the sup
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she will never give it up
For it's off each morning to the pop
And then she's in for another little drop
For the heart of the rowl is Dicey Reilly
Oh she walks along Fitzgibbon street
With an independent air
And then it's down be Summerhill
And as the people stare
She says it's nearly half past one
And it's time I had another little one
For the heart of the rowl is Dicey Reilly
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she has taken to the sup
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she will never give it up
It's off each morning to the pop
And then she's in for another little drop
For the heart of the rowl is Dicey Reilly
A long years ago when men were men
And fancied May Oblong
Or lovely Beckie Cooper
Or Maggie's Mary Wong
One woman put them all to shame
Just one was worthy of the name
And the name of the dame was Dicey Reilly
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she has taken to the sup
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she will never give it up
It's off each morning to the pop
And then she's in for another little drop
For the heart of the rowl is Dicey Reilly
Oh but time went catching up on her
Like many pretty whores
And it's after you along the street
Before you're out the door
They looks all fade and the balance weighed
But out of all that great brigade
Still the heart of the rowl is Dicey Reilly
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she has taken to the sup
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she will never give it up
It's off each morning to the pop
And then she's in for another little drop
For the heart of the rowl is Dicey Reilly
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she has taken to the sup
Oh poor old Dicey Reilly she will never give it up
It's off each morning to the pop
And then she's in for another little drop
For the heart of the rowl is Dicey Reilly