"It's the Same Old Shillelagh" is an Irish novelty song written by Pat White. Its subject is a young Irish-American who inherits his father's

shillelagh A shillelagh ( ; ga, sail éille or , "thonged willow") is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty blackthorn stick with a large knob at the top. It is associated with Ireland and Irish folklore. Other ...

. The composer himself recorded this song on May 25, 1927 for

Victor Records The Victor Talking Machine Company was an American recording company and phonograph manufacturer that operated independently from 1901 until 1929, when it was acquired by the Radio Corporation of America and subsequently operated as a subsidi ...

(No. 20760), and the record was distributed through the Yorkville Phonograph Shop in New York City. RCA Victor pressed the record, but it carried a custom "Yorkville" label. It was recorded by various artists of Irish-American ancestry, such as Billy Murray (recorded with Harry's Tavern Band, Bluebird 10811, 1940) and most notably

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...

(recorded December 6, 1945 and included in his album '' St. Patrick's Day''), typically with an affected Irish accent.

Dennis Day Dennis Day (born Owen Patrick Eugene McNulty; May 21, 1916 – June 22, 1988) was an American actor, comedian, and singer. He was of Irish descent. Early life Day was born and raised in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx, New York City, the ...

included the song on his album ''Shillelaghs & Shamrocks!'' (1961).

Glen Daly Glen Daly (born Bartholomew Francis McGovern McCann Dick (1920–1987) was a Scottish singer and entertainer. Career Daly was born in Calton, Glasgow, where he attended St Mary's School. On completing his education he started work in the Clyde ...

included the song on his album ''It's Glen Again - "Live" at the Ashfield, Glasgow'' (1970).

Lyrics

An early, public version: The Bing Crosby version:

References

Billy Murray (singer) songs Bing Crosby songs Irish novelty songs 1940s songs {{1940s-song-stub