"Do You Want Your Old Lobby Washed Down" Lyrics

"Do You Want Your Old Lobby Washed Down" is a traditional Irish folk song that seems to have originated in County Cork. Traditionally, washing down a lobby was an alternative method of payment for rent if one ran out of money (much like washing dishes at a restaurant, should you not be able to afford your dinner). In the lyrics to this old song, it seems to be used both literally and as something of a double entendre. "Con Shine" was apparently a real person, perhaps a good-humored relative of Irish balladeer Brendan Shine, who popularized the song. Some versions use "sunshine" instead of "Con Shine" in the chorus.

Lyrics

I've a nice little cot and a small bit of land and a place by the side of the sea
And I care about no one because I believe that nobody cares about me
My peace is destroyed and I'm fairly annoyed by a lassie who works in the town
She sighs every day as she passes this way, "Do you want your old lobby washed down?"

Do you want your old lobby washed down Con Shine
Do you want your old lobby washed down
She sighs every day as she passes this way
Do you want your old lobby washed down?

The other day the old landlord came by for his rent; I told him no money I had
Besides, t'wasn't fair to ask me to pay; the times were so awfully bad
He felt discontent at not getting his rent and he shook his big head with a frown
Says he, "I'll take half," but says I with a laugh, "Do you want your old lobby washed down?"

Do you want your old lobby washed down Con Shine
Do you want your old lobby washed down
She sighs every day as she passes this way
Do you want your old lobby washed down?

Now the boys look so bashful when they go out courting, they seem to look so very shy
As to kiss a young maid, sure they seem half afraid, but they would if they could on the sly
But me, I do things in a different way, I don't give a nod or a frown
When I go to court, I says, "here goes for sport! Do you want your old lobby washed down?

Do you want your old lobby washed down Con Shine
Do you want your old lobby washed down
She sighs every day as she passes this way
Do you want your old lobby washed down?