The 3
most famous
Irish songs

Singing Irish songs along with others in an Irish pub or festival is fun. To give you a head start, I give the lyrics for the three most popular Irish songs:

When Irish Eyes Smiling

Danny Boy

Molly Malone

It might surprise you to learn that the lyrics to all three songs were written in whole or part by foreigners. That has made little difference to the Irish. The three songs deeply endeared themselves to the people.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

There's a tear in your eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile,
Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while
And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

Chorus:

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part
Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song,
Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours
Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

Chorus

Lyrics by Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr.  Published in 1912.