Granddaddy used to sit me on his And me how it was in the old country Famine and and crops that failed I'd listen for hours as he told his
He said, "There must have been a curse on the name" But he he'd be the one to break that chain With that he saved from the sweat of his brow He'd get 'em out of there, someday,
Well, he never was of a gamblin' 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 this O'Reilly Luck"
I can only imagine the on his face Tickets in hand, as counted the days passports, no turnin' back Decidin' what should and shouldn't pack
But the baby caught the fever just before And the doctor hung a sheet on front door For two long weeks they quarantined Stranded nothin' but a shattered dream
Well, he was much of a gamblin' man But he dreamed of to the Promised Land Bet it all on a life in America He said, "We'll change our fate, and this danged Luck"
Granddaddy told story 'til he passed away How the all cheered from the dock that day While he shook his with a tear in his eye At the beautiful ship of the White Line
And he cursed his and his danged O'Reilly Luck As the mighty Titanic, sailed the sun
Well, he was much of a gamblin' man But he his way to the Promised Land Bet it all on a better in America He said, "We'll change our fate, and this O'Reilly Luck Danged Luck"