Bruce Springsteen - Mrs. Mcgrath lyrics

"Mrs. McGraw," the sergeant said,

"Would you like to make a soldier

Out of your son, Ted?

With a scarlet cloak and a fine cocked hat,

Mrs. McGraw wouldn't you like that?"

Mrs. McGraw lived on the seashore

For the space of seven long years or more

'Till she saw big ship sailing in the bay

"Hallelu, babbelu, I think it's he!"

"Oh, Captain dear, where have you been.

Have you been out sailin' on the Mediteren'.

Have you any tidings of my son Ted.

Is the poor boy livin' or is he dead?"

Now up comes Ted without any legs

And in their place there were two wooden pegs

She kissed him a dozen times or two

Saying "Holly molly could it be you?"

"Now was you drunk or was you blind

When you left your two fine legs behind?

Or was it out walking upon the sea

That tore your legs from the knees away?"

"No I wasn't drunk and I wasn't blind

When I left my two fine legs behind.

For a cannon ball on the fifth of May

Took my two fine legs from the knees away."

"Now Teddy me boy," the old widow cried

"Your two fine legs was your mama's pride

Them stumps of a tree won't do at all

Why didn't you run from the big cannon ball?"

"Now against all war, I do profrain

Between Don Juan and the King of Spain

And, by herrons, I'll make 'em rue the time