Sample Scene
The Mulligan Guard Ball (1879)
Libretto by Edward Harrigan
Music by David Braham
Act I, Scene (partial)
Edited by John Kenrick
The Setup: Popular neighborhood leader Dan Mulligan (Edward Harrigan) is throwing a ball for the younger members of his cronies, The Mulligan Guard. He does not know that the owner of the ballroom has booked a ball for the Mulligan's arch enemies, the all-Negro Skidmore Guards, into the same room on the same evening. Dan shares plans with his longtime crony, McSweeney (one of several roles played by Tony Hart).
This scene, with its heavy use of Irish pronunciations and Bowery colloquialisms, offered Harrigan and Hart an opportunity to reprise the song that had brought them stardom in their variety days. The question, "Do you remember the old tune?" would have set their fans cheering in anticipation of "The Mulligan Guard March."
DAN
(Slightly tipsy) McSweeney, you're a friend of mine, you're one of the old Mulligans.
MCSWEENEY
I was First Leftenant when we licked the Dutch Brewery Light Guard at
Communipaw.
DAN
That's the year I gave you four tons of coal for a prize, and burnt coke meself at home.
MCSWEENEY
Yes, and I had four shots and won it, but I never give it away.
DAN
I have fixed it all right for you and Gilmartin to go with the young Mulligans
to the ball tomorrow night, Walsingham. It's dead level, I got it from Tommy.
MCSWEENEY
It's a favor you'll never be sorry for.
DAN
There's one man going to that ball tomorrow night, Mc, I'm sure.
MCSWEENEY
Who is he, Dan?
DAN
A Dutch butcher, named Lochmuller. I'd lick him, Mc, but I owe him thirty-five dollars.
MCSWEENEY
I'll lick him for you.
DAN
No, let it go. Wait till the young Mulligan Guard Ball is over.
MCSWEENEY
Very well.
DAN
What's the name of the hall the young Mulligans have for the ball?
MCSWEENEY
The Harp and Shamrock.
DAN
I want to see the hall look nice. Will you do what I say?
MCSWEENEY
Yes, sling on anything, Dan, I'm with you.
DAN
No, but fix the ball the way I want it. Get a row of American flags on the right hand, with the
Irish flags blending between them. Then get a row of wax candles on the balcony, and put a sign
on it, "Look out for the drip." Get about thirty-three canaries, and some blackbirds, in cages,
and hang them on the chandeliers, and give word to the leader of the band, if a Dutch tune is
played the whole night, he'll not get a cent. Will you do this?
MCSWEENEY
I will, you bet your life, Dan.
DAN
Now come over to McQuade's, and I'll play you a game of hand ball for a five.
MCSWEENEY
I'm with you, Dan.
DAN
Come on. Do ye remember the old tune?
(Editor's Note: Mention of "the old tune" would have ignited cheers from audiences waiting to hear Harrigan & Hart reprise their signature hit.)
DUET: "THE MULLIGAN GUARD"
We crave your condescension,
And we'll tell you what we know
Of marching in the Mulligan Guards,
From the Seventh Ward below;
And our Captain's name was Hussey,
A Tipperary man --
He carried his sword like the Russian Duke,
Whenever he took command.
CHORUS
We shouldered guns,
And marched, and marched away,
From Jackson Street
Way up to Avenue A;
Drums and fifes did sweetly, sweetly play,
As we marched, marched,
Marched in the Mulligan Guards.
When the band played Garryowen
Or the Connemara pet,
With the rub, dub, dub, we marched in the mud
To the military step.
With the green above the red, boys,
To show where we came from;
Our gun's we'd lift, with the right shoulder shift,
As we marched to the beat of the drum.
CHORUS
We shouldered guns, etc.
When we'd get home at night boys,
The divil a wink we'd sleep;
We'd all sit up and drink a sup
Of whiskey, strong and neat.
Then we'd all march home together,
As slippery as lard;
The solid men would all fall in,
And march in the Mulligan Guard.
CHORUS
We shouldered guns, etc.
(Both exit)