Too-Ra-Loo-Ra (?)

http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2004-8/thismonth/feature.php

Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral,
(That's An Irish Lullaby)
1914
Lyric and Music by J.R. Shannon

James Royce (J. R.) Shannon (1881 - 1946) Shannon, born James Royce in Adrian, Michigan became one of America's more prominent actor, composer/lyricists of the Tin Pan Alley era. Royce added Shannon to his name to create a pseudonym for his writing efforts. He organized his own theatrical company and toured the US and Europe. Shannon also was the drama critic for the Detroit Free Press for several years. His most famous song is Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, written in 1913 for the musical production Shameen Dhu which was staged in New York in 1914. He also wrote the lyrics to The Missouri Waltz in 1916. ...
ite
Other contenders:

The Spanish Lady - http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books/General/tradsongs.htm Traditional Dublin songs

As I went out through Dublin city
At the hour of twelve at night
Who should I see but a Spanish lady,
Washing her feet in the candlelight.
First she washed them, then she dried them,
Over a fire of angry coals.
In all my life I ne'er did see
A maid so sweet about the soles

Whack fol the toor a loor a laddy,
Whack fol the toor a loor a lay.
Whack fol the toor a laddy,
Whack fol the toor a lay.

I stopped to look but the watchman passed,
Says he: 'Young fellow the night is late
Along with you home or I will wrestle you
Straight through the Bridewell gate."
I threw a look at the Spanlish lady
Hot as the fire of angry coals
In all my life I ne'er did see
Such a maid so neat about the soles.
Chorus






The Dubliners - Spanish Lady

http://www.merryploughboys.com/ballads/Courtin_in_the_kitchen.html




COURTIN IN THE KITCHEN
Trad Arr.


Come single belle or beau, unto me pay attention
Don't ever fall in live
tis' the Devils own invention.
For once I fell in lovewith a maiden so bewitchin'
Miss Henrietta Bell, outa' Captain Kelly's kitchen

Chorus :
With me toora loora la,with me toora loora laddy
Me toora loora la, with me toora loora laddy.

At the age of seventeen,
I was 'prenticed to a grocer
Not far from Stephen's Green,where Miss Henry used to go sir
Her manners were sublime,she set me heart a twitchin'
And she invited me to a hooley in the kitchen
Chorus :

***

Sharon Shannon, Dessie O'Halloran, Damien Dempsey and Mundy - Courtin' in the Kitchen - from Galway Girl CD



lyrics and chords (in G) at http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/irish-folk-music/irish%20songs/Courting%20In%20The%20Kitchen.htm http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/irish-folk-music/irish%20songs/Courting%20In%20The%20Kitchen.htm

speculation on meaning of "toor-a-loor" (my spelling) in Google Answers at http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/540834.html http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/540834.html