Seven Drunken Nights Lyrics

Seven Drunken Nights lyrics tell the story of a man coming home drunk to his wife.  Each night she has a new excuse to cover up what can only be secret lover.   Honest misunderstanding or sinister coverup?  You be the judge!

Here is the opening verse, to jog your memory...  Does this 'sound' familar?

Oh, as I went home on Monday night
As drunk as drunk could be
I saw a horse outside the door
Where my old horse should be

The full lyrics can be found further down the page.  If you are short on time tap here to jump immediately to ALL the lyrics.

But if you have a bit 'o time, read on for 5 fun facts about this classic Irish folk song. Spoiler alert - the drunk man carries on as the excuses get more and more ridiculous.

Things to Know About the Song

Here are some fun facts about Seven Drunken Nights.  Hopefully they will entice you to sing along next time you hear it!

1. Despite being a classic Irish song, Seven Drunken Nights is actually a Scottish creation! As early as the 1770s, the Scottish had an almost identical version of the song that was known as Our Goodman.
2. While the song was being introduced to Ireland in the early 19th century, it was also making an impression elsewhere in Europe. There is history of the song being sung and Seven Drunken Nights lyrics printed in Hungary, Germany and even Scandinavia. 
3. In 1967, The Dubliners released their version of the song. This is the version that pushed the song to global fame in the 20th century. 
4. Seven Drunken Nights appeared on the BBC music television show Top of the Pops in 1967, and then it reached number seven on the British music charts. In Ireland, the song reached number one.
5. Despite the song's clear success, it wasn't embraced by everyone. It was banned from the national broadcasting system in the United Kingdom. Part of that had to do with the unofficial last verses in Seven Drunken Nights lyrics, which get progressively cruder as the band plays on.

Seven Drunken Nights Lyrics

Oh, as I went home on Monday night
As drunk as drunk could be
I saw a horse outside the door
Where my old horse should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her
"Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that horse outside the door
Where my old horse should be?"

Ay, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool
Still you cannot see
That's a lovely sow that my mother sent to me
Well, it's many a day I've traveled, a hundred miles or more
But a saddle on a sow, sure, I never saw before

And as I went home on Tuesday night
As drunk as drunk could be
I saw a coat behind the door 
Where my old coat should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her
"Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that coat behind the door
Where my old coat should be?"

Ay, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool
Still you cannot see
That's a woolen blanket that me mother sent to me
Well, it's many a day I've traveled, a hundred miles or more
But buttons on a blanket, sure, I never saw before

And as I went home on Wednesday night
As drunk as drunk could be
I saw a pipe upon the chair
Where my old pipe should be
Well, I called my wife and I said to her
"Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that pipe upon the chair 
Where my old pipe should be?"

Ay, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool
Still you cannot see
That's a lovely tin-whistle, that me mother sent to me
Well, it's many a day I've traveled, a hundred miles or more
But tobacco in a tin-whistle, sure, I never saw before

And I went home on Thursday nigh
As drunk as drunk could be
I saw two boots beneath the bed
Where my old boots should be
Well, I called me wife and I said to her
"Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns them boots beneath the bed 
Where my old boots should be?"

Ay, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool
Still you cannot see
They're two lovely geranium pots me mother sent to me
Well, it's many a day I've traveled, a hundred miles or more
But laces in geranium pots I never saw before

And as I came home on Friday night
As drunk as drunk could be
I saw a head upon the bed
Where my old head should be
Well, I called my wife and I said to her
"Will you kindly tell to me
Who owns that head upon the bed
Where my old head should be?"

Ay, you're drunk, you're drunk you silly old fool
Still you cannot see
That's a baby boy that me mother sent to me
Well, it's many a day I've traveled, a hundred miles or more
But a baby boy with his whiskers on, sure, I never saw before

Songwriters: Barney McKenna / Ciarán Bourke / John Sheehan / Luke Kelly / Ronnie Drew

Seven Drunken Nights lyrics © Carlin America Inc

Our Favorite Performance

Here is our favorite rendition - a rousing stage version by Celtic Thunder.

Another Version - Which Do You Like Better?

And here is the classic from - you guessed it - the Dubliners!

Want More Irish Song Lyrics?

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Learning the lyrics and singing these songs gives us a deeper sense of connection with Ireland, wherever in the world we happen to be!

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What's Next?

Folk songs like this one are an essential part of Irish culture and heritage. Even if you're not really into folk music, these Irish melodies tell fascinating stories that take you back to special times in Ireland's long and proud history. 

• Sing them, listen to them, dance to them, to celebrate Irish culture and share your personal Irish side!
• For more information of this type, you may want to pay a visit to our main section on Irish Song Lyrics.

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