Mrs Murphys Chowder

Mrs Murphys Chowder, sometimes also known as "Mistress Murphy's Chowder", is a typical look at an Irish family in an old tenement house in the city. This funny folk tune continues to entertain generations of children and adults alike!

Mrs. Murphy's Chowder Lyrics

Mistress Murphy gave a party
Just about a week ago.
Everything was plentiful;
The Murphys, They're not slow.

They treated us like gentlemen;
We tried to act the same.
Only for what happened,
Well, it was an awful shame.

When Mrs. Murphy dished the chowder out,
She fainted on the spot.
She found a pair of overalls
At the bottom of the pot.

Tim Nolan, he got ripping mad;
His eyes were bulgin' out,
He jumped up on the pi-ano,
And Loudly he did shout - -
"Who threw the overalls
In Mrs. Murphy's chowder?"

Nobody spoke, so he shouted
All the louder- -
It's an Irish trick, that's true;
I can lick the "Mick" that threw - -
The overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder.

They dragged the pants
From out the soup;
And laid them on the floor.
Each man swore upon his life:
He's nev'r seen them before.

They were plastered up with mortar;
And were torn out at the knee.
They had their many ups and downs,
As we could plainly see.

And when Mrs. Murphy, she came to,
She began to cry and pout.
She had them in the wash that day, - -
And forgot to take them out.

Tim Nolan, he excused himself,
For what he said that night.
So, we put music to the words,
And sang with all our might - - -

"WHO THREW THE OVERALLS IN
MRS. MURPHY'S CHOWDER??"

* Note: The term "Mick" was a serious Irish slur, signifying a low-life or worse.

* Chowder - Defined as a dish of cod, or other fresh fish or clams, stewed with slices of bacon or pork, along with pieces of biscuit, onions, potatoes, etc.

Go from Mrs Murphys Chowder to Irish Music

St. Patrick's Day Irish Folk Songs

Poem of Irish Names

Irish Immigrants

Another Funny Folk Song

Americana Home Page