Jump, Little Children - Johnny Jump Up (1993)

This tape is also known as the "Original Demo" Limited run of 500 cassette copies. Sold at early shows for ten dollars a piece. This recording features former JLC members Tim Connell and Chris Pollen. The songs were recorded in various places (mainly live). (information from http://jumplittlechildren.net) Support JLC though their Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/jumplittlechildren The following lyrics are from a traditional version, Matt changes several lines: Well, I'll tell you a story that happened to me One day as I went out to Youghal by the sea The day it was hot, the sun it was warm Says I "A quick pint wouldn't do any harm" I went in and called for a bottle of stout Says the barman, "I'm sorry the beer's all sold out Try whiskey, young Paddy, ten years in the wood" Says I, "I'll have cider; I've heard that it's good." But I'll never, oh never, oh never again If I live to a hundred or a hundred and ten Well I fell to the ground and I couldn't get up After drinking the quart of the Johnny-Jump-Up After leavin' the third I came out by the yard Where I walked into Brophy the big civic guard; "Come 'ere to me boy don't you know I'm the law?" I upped with me fist and I shattered his jaw. Well he fell to the ground with his knees doubled up 'Twas not I that hit him, but Johnny Jump-Up The next thing that I met down by Youghal by the Sea Was a cripple on crutches and he said to me "I'm afraid for me life I'll be hit by a car Won't you help me across to the railway man's bar?" But after drinkin' a quart of the cider so sweet He threw down his crutches and danced in the street. Well I went down the Lee road a friend for to see, They call it the Madhouse in Cork by the Sea But when I got there sure the truth I will tell They had the poor bugger locked up in a cell Said the guard, testing him, "Say these word if you can: 'Around the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran." "Tell them I'm not crazy, tell them I'm not mad 'Twas only the sup of the bottle I had. A man died in the Union by the name of McNabb They washed him, they laid him outside on a slab And after O'Connor his measurements did take His wife took him home for a bloody fine wake Well, about twelve o'clock and the beer it was high The corpse he sits up and says he with a sigh "I can't get to heaven, they won't let me up 'Till I bring them a quart of Johnny Jump-Up

Added 8 Jul 2026