Granddaddy to sit me on his knee And me how it was in the old country Famine and floods and crops that I'd listen for hours as he told his
He said, "There have been a curse on the family name" But he swore he'd be the one to that chain With that he saved from the sweat of his brow get 'em out of there, someday, somehow
Well, he never was of a gamblin' man But he dreamed of passage to the Promised Bet it all on a life in America He said, "We'll change our fate, and this danged Luck"
I can imagine the look on his face in hand, as they counted the days Eleven passports, no back Decidin' what they should and pack
But the baby caught the fever days before And the doctor hung a sheet on their door For two long weeks they quarantined Stranded with nothin' but a dream
Well, he was much of a gamblin' man But he dreamed of passage to the Land Bet it all on a life in America He said, "We'll change our fate, and this O'Reilly Luck"
Granddaddy this story 'til he passed away How the all cheered from the dock that day While he shook his fist a tear in his eye At the beautiful of the White Star Line
And he his fate and his danged O'Reilly Luck As the Titanic, sailed into the sun
Well, he never was of a gamblin' man But he found his way to the Promised Bet it all on a better in America He said, "We'll our fate, and this danged O'Reilly Luck Danged Luck"