As another St. Patrick Day rolls around and as I think of wisdom passed between mothers and daughters, aunts and nieces, old cousins and young cousins, I think of Bridget O’Flynn getting a talking to by her wised up mother. Actually, I hear this song in my father’s voice — one of his famous bedtime lullabies to his little bridgets.
Bridget O’Flynn, where have you been, Bridget O’Flynn?
Sure it’s a fine time for you to be gettin’ in.
You went to see the big parade, the big parade me eye.
There was never a parade in all this world took that long passin’ by.
Did you walk home? Look at your shoes, ain’t it a sin.
Your shoes are like your story mighty thin.
Stay away from the dancin’ hall,
There’s nobody there worthwhile at ‘all.
That’s where I met your father Bridget da-a-a-arling.
Bridget O’Flynn, where have you been, Bridget O’Flynn?
Sure it’s a fine time for you to be gettin’ in.
You went to see the big parade, the big parade me eye.
There was never a parade in all this world took that long passin’ by.
Did you walk home? Look at your shoes, ain’t it a sin.
Your shoes are like your story mighty thin.
Let me give this advice to you,
If you know a fellow who owns a canoe,
Don’t go near the water Bridget da-a-a-arling.
Another verse submitted by a madinpursuit reader on 11.2.02:
Bridget O’Flynn, where have you been, Bridget O’Flynn?
Sure it’s a fine time for you to be gettin’ in.
Your boyfriend took you for a ride and did the car break down
Or maybe you ran out of gas about ten miles from town?
Did you walk home? Look at your shoes, ain’t it a sin.
Your shoes are like your story mighty thin.
Stay away from the dancin’ hall,
There’s nobody there worthwhile a-tall.
That’s where I met your father Bridget da-a-a-arling.
Many Irish-Americans know this song, but the closest I can come to finding a recording is this version on YouTube. Someone in my family (who can sing) should make a recording.
