Colcannon (The Skillet Pot)

Info

Colcannon is traditional Irish food dish made of potatoes, butter, milk and kale (or cabbage). It is traditionally eaten on Halloween.

Lyrics

(Irish folk song)

Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?
With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.
Did you ever make a hole on top to hold the melting flake
Of the creamy, flavoured butter that your mother used to make?

Refrain
Yes you did, so you did, so did he and so did I.
And the more I think about it sure the nearer I’m to cry.
Oh, wasn’t it the happy days when troubles we had not,
And our mothers made Colcannon in the little skillet pot.

Well did you ever take potato cake in a basket to the school,
Tucked underneath your oxter* with your book, your slate and rule?
And when teacher wasn’t looking, sure, a great big bite you’d take,
Of the creamy flavoured butter and sweet potato cake. Refrain

Well did you ever go a-courting as the evening sun went down,
And the moon began a-peeping from behind the Hill o’ Down?
As you wandered down the boreen* where the clúrachán* was seen,
And you whispered loving phrases to your little fair Colleen. Refrain

*oxter = armpit
boreen = little road
clúrachán = leprechaun

See also

YouTube

  • PDF of song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the melody

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