Intro
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[Verse 1]
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1869 being the date and the year
Those Waterloo sportsmen and more did appear
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Oh, to view the great prizes and bear them awa'
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Never counting on Ireland and Master McGrath
[Verse 2]
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On the 12th of December, that day of renown
McGrath and his keeper, they left Lurgan town
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And a gale in the channel, it soon drove them o'er
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On the 13th they landed on fair England's shore
[Verse 3]
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And when they arrived there in great London Town
Those grand English sportsmen, they all gathered 'round
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And one of those gentlemen gave a "ha-ha"
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Saying, "is that the great dog they call Master McGrath?"
[Verse 4]
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Lord Lurgan stepped forward and he said, "Gentlemen
If there's any among you has money to spend
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For your great English greyhound, I don't care a straw
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Five thousand to one upon Master McGraw"
[Verse 5]
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White Rose stood uncovered, the great English pride
Her trainer and owner were both by her side
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Oh, they let her away and the crowd cried, "hurrah!"
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For the pride of all England and Master McGrath
[Verse 6]
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As Rose and the Master, they both ran along
"I wonder," says Rose, "what took you from your home
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You should've stayed there in your Irish domain
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And not come to gain laurels on Albion's plain"
[Verse 7]
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"Well, I know," says McGrath, "we have wild heather bogs
But you'll find in old Ireland we have good men and dogs
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Lead on, bold Britannia, give none of your jaw
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For I'll garnish your laurels," says Master McGrath
[Verse 8]
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Oh, the hare, she led off, what a beautiful view
As swift as the wind o'er the green fields she flew
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He jumped on the hares back and he held up his paw
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"Three cheers for old Ireland!" says Master McGrath
[Verse 9]
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I've known many greyhounds that filled me with pride
In the days that are gone, but it can't be denied
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That the greatest and the bravest the world ever saw
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Was our champion of champions, bold Master McCrath