These are the traditional lyrics to the song ‘The Waxies’ Dargle’. Written about the cobblers of the time or ‘Waxies’ as they were also known due to the wax they used on their thread for stitching shoes. They would frequent the area in Irishtown for parties as, unlike more wealthy Dubliners, they couldn’t afford to go to The Dargle Glen near Powerscourt for summer outings– hence the ‘Waxie’s Dargle’ near Sandymount Strand.

‘The Waxie’s Dargle’– Traditional Version
Says my ‘owl one’ to your ‘owl one’
“Will ye come to the Waxies Dargle?”
Says your ‘owl one’ to my ‘owl one’,
“Sure I haven’t got a farthing.
I’ve just been down to Monto town
To see Uncle McArdle
But he didn’t have half a crown
For to go to the Waxies Dargle.”

What are ye having, will ye have a pint?
Yes, I’ll have a pint with you, sir,
And if one of us doesn’t order soon
We’ll be thrown out of the boozer.

Says my ‘owl one’ to your ‘owl one’
“Will ye come to the Galway races?”
Says your ‘owl one’ to my ‘owl one’,
“With the price of my aul’ lad’s braces.
I went down to Capel Street
To the Jew man money lenders
But they wouldn’t give me a couple of bob on
My aul’ lad’s suspenders.

What are ye having, will ye have a pint?
Yes, I’ll have a pint with you, sir,
And if one of us doesn’t order soon
We’ll be thrown out of the boozer.

Says my ‘owl one’ to your ‘owl one’
“We have no beef or mutton
But if we go down to Monto town
We might get a drink for nuttin’”
Here’s a piece of good advice
I got from an aul’ fishmonger:
“When food is scarce and you see the hearse
You’ll know you have died of hunger.”

What are ye having, will ye have a pint?
Yes, I’ll have a pint with you, sir,
And if one of us doesn’t order soon
We’ll be thrown out of the boozer.