Granddaddy to sit me on his knee And me how it was in the old country and floods and crops that failed 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 break chain With money that he saved the sweat of his brow get 'em out of there, someday, somehow
Well, he was much of a gamblin' man But he dreamed of passage to the Land Bet it all on a better in America He said, "We'll our fate, and this danged O'Reilly Luck"
I can only imagine the on his face in hand, as they counted the days Eleven passports, no back what they should and shouldn't pack
But the baby caught the fever just days And the doctor hung a sheet on front door For two long weeks they were Stranded with nothin' but a dream
Well, he never was much of a man But he of passage to the Promised Land Bet it all on a better life in He said, "We'll change our fate, and danged O'Reilly Luck"
Granddaddy told story 'til he passed away How the people all cheered from the that day While he his fist with a tear in his eye At the beautiful ship of the Star Line
And he his fate and his danged O'Reilly Luck As the Titanic, sailed into the sun
Well, he never was much of a man But he found his way to the Promised Bet it all on a life in America He said, "We'll change our fate, and this O'Reilly Luck O'Relly Luck"