Uncle Benny

(Album: Danny Boy & Other Irish Favorites - 1994)

Uncle Benny
Never had a penny
Only had his old banjo
Never had a job
Never earned a bob
Always free to come and go
He played the banjo gaily, boys
For anyone he'd meet
Benny was a fellow who could
Sweep girls off their feet

He'd set their toes a-tapping with his songs
Making friends who'd join him as he slowly strolled along
There was Michael Flynn played violin
While Clancy played the flute
And Tommy McManis gave the old cornet a toot

Uncle Benny
Never had a penny
Only had his old banjo
Fat around the middle
Always on the fiddle
No one ever seemed to know
In the clubs and the pubs around the town
Up and down the street
Benny was a fellow who could
Sweep girls off their feet

He'd set their toes a-tapping with his songs
Making friends who'd join him as he slowly strolled along
There was Jack McBass who played the bass
While Danny played the drum
And everyone watching would clap their hands and hum

Uncle Benny
Never had a penny
Only had his old banjo
Singing at the fair
Silver in his hair
Uncle Benny had to go
He failed it on a high note
In his final show
And I never knew what happened to
Benny's old banjo
Uncle Benny
Never had a penny
Only had his own banjo
Uncle Benny
Never had a penny
Only had his own banjo
Uncle Benny...