Irish Dement 
By Dog Legs & Feet
Lyrics
Well people are fretting that life is all pain
But as for myself, I would never complain
There's no time to be somber, I'd rather be gay
And I'm sure to be dyin' someday
With a hi hi hey and a hi hi ho
When you pass away, boys, where you gonna go?
With a hi hi ho and a hi hi hey
You're sure to be dyin' someday
I know an old man with a beautiful young wife
She swore she'd stay with him for the rest of his life
I was tempted to kill him but crime doesn't pay
And he's sure to be dyin' someday
With a hi hi hey and a hi hi ho
When you pass away, boys, where you gonna go?
With a hi hi ho and a hi hi hey
You're sure to be dyin' someday
Miser McKeen has a full treasure chest
Says "I'll take what I want and screw all the rest!"
But he can't take it with him, the sages all say
And he's sure to be dyin' someday
With a hi hi hey and a hi hi ho
When you pass away, boys, where you gonna go?
With a hi hi ho and a hi hi hey
You're sure to be dyin' someday
Father O'Hannon says that I should repent:
"You don't want to go the way your father went!
Stop your boozin' and whorin' and learn how to pray!"
Ah, but I'm sure to be dyin' someday
With a hi hi hey and a hi hi ho
When you pass away, boys, where you gonna go?
With a hi hi ho and a hi hi hey
You're sure to be dyin' someday
About the Song
This is one of four songs on the album that were not penned by Shakespeare. "Irish Dement" was written by Dog Legs & Feet members John Botti, Jeremy Edwards, and Michael Mergen in 1997.
The song made its way to Shakespeare at Winedale, where it was used in a production of Twelfth Night in 1998. It has since become a staple of Winedale summers as a warm-up song, and has sneaked its way into production after production.
We suggest that the song is best enjoyed with a frothy glass of beer in hand, to be swung side-to-side whilst singing the chorus.
Track Info
Music and Lyrics by John Botti, Jeremy Edwards and Michael Mergen.
Musicians:
- John Botti - Mandolin, vocals
- Jeremy Goodking - Guitar, vocals
- Michael Mergen - Vocals, "Father O'Hannon"
- Lizz Ketterer - Pennywhistle, bodhran, vocals
- Zac Firnhaber - Upright bass
- Kim Nagy, Steph Tomlinson, Joseph E. Trent II, Jon Watson, Brett Youens, Chris McCraw, Christa French, Robert Deike, Rob Matney, Mark Lovell, Jodi Harris - additional vocals