Irish Washer Woman
This is a rather old Irish folk song, that I wanted to bring back to life with a more "Irish Rock" type of feel but not totally go over the edge. The Lyrics are not based on any actual song, I wrote them this past week. This is in part because there are no set or agreed on lyrics to this song. So? I wrote my own and tried to keep it close to what I felt the original would have been
I wanted to add my original version first here. This is my instrumental only version from about 2015 - Full vocal version (quite different) directly below
(the shortened original 2015 piece)
Irish Washerwoman 2026 - Listen on Spotify
(link can be a bit fussy for about 24 hours after release)
When I was young
a fine lass was I
Bright as the sun
in the morning sky
Light were my feet
down by the Quay
Songs in the wind
rolling free
Now I rise early
down to the stream
Cold river water
sparkles and gleams
Shirts on the stone
beat them down clean
Foam in the water
bright silver sheen
Oh washerwoman
I scrub away
Down by the river
all the day
Soap in the water
hands in the foam
Sing little songs
walking back home
Bring me your coats
bring me your gowns
Bring me your linen
from all the towns
Half of a crown
that is my pay
Songs in the wind
all through the day
Hang them on lines
high in the breeze
White cloth dancing
soft in the trees
Wind through the fields
blowing them wide
Bright shining linen
side by side
Oh washerwoman
I scrub away
Down by the river
all the day
Soap in the water
hands in the foam
Sing little songs
walking back home
Lads passing by
laugh as they go
Tip their old caps
standing below
One young fellow
lingers awhile
Watching the water
watching me smile
Sun climbing high
over the hill
River keeps running
steady and still
Hands growing red
work never done
Yet I keep singing
under the sun
Oh washerwoman
I scrub away
Down by the river
all the day
Soap in the water
hands in the foam
Sing little songs
walking back home
Evening is falling
soft on the lea
Golden light fading
over the sea
Lines growing empty
clothes folded tight
Walking back home
in the warm light
a washerwoman
I scrub away
Down by the river
all the day
Soap in the water
hands in the foam
Sing little songs
walking back home
a washerwoman
I scrub away
Down by the river
all the day
Soap in the water
hands in the foam
Sing little songs
walking back home
© Eric K Holbrook
