We all know the lyrics to ‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling’, don’t we? It is such a wonderful song that was originally written in 1912. This song has become more than a song; it is a ballad that many of us recite and rejoice to on St Patrick’s Day.
Well, today, I found an absolute gem of a cover from Bing Crosby. It’s a much slower version of the Irish Folk song, but I love it. And it was recorded all the way back in 1939. The song on YouTube alone has over 1.2 million listens and plenty of touching comments.
But don’t worry, for I have the lyrics of the song “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” followed by the song so that we can all sing along this St Patrick’s day. I hope that you are singing and smiling wherever in the world you are listening to this.
The lyrics are first listed below, and the video is underneath them.
Lyrics to When Irish Eyes are Smiling
Verse 1:
- There’s a tear in your eye and I’m wondering why,
- For it never should be there at all;
- With such pow’r in your smile, sure a stone you’d beguile,
- So there’s never a tear-drop should fall;
- When your sweet lilting laughter’s like some fairy song,
- And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
- You should laugh all the while and all other times, smile,
- And now smile a smile for me.
Chorus:
- When Irish eyes are smiling,
- Sure it’s like a morn in Spring,
- In the lilt of Irish laughter
- You can hear the angels sing.
- When Irish hearts are happy,
- All the world seems bright and gay,
- And when Irish eyes are smiling,
- Sure, they steal your heart away.
Verse 2:
- For your smile is a part of the love in your heart,
- And it makes even sunshine more bright;
- Like the linnet’s sweet song, crooning all the day long,
- Comes your laughter so tender and light;
- For the spring-time of life is the sweetest of all,
- There is ne’er a real care or regret;
- And while spring-time is ours throughout all of youth’s hours,
- Let us smile each chance we get.
(Chorus)
Did you enjoy this version of ‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling’?
I certainly did! Be sure to share this with your friends and family. Don’t forget you can also subscribe to my weekly dose of Irish here.
You can also read great St Patrick’s Day jokes, updated St Patrick’s Day facts, and poems.
His voice certainly is silky smooth! And although Bing was not technically Irish, he did have maternal Irish grandparents, which makes it okay with me. Plus, what a wonderful voice. Did you agree? Comment below.
Bridget M. Brennan
Tuesday 14th of March 2023
Thanks for your free information, but here are two items that you might want to correct in order to be correct and accurate in what you have published on-line:
1. There is an error in the last line of the lyrics in the Refrain Section: (it should read)
And When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, sure, they’ll steal your heart away.
2. I've included a little more information to invalidate your statement above that Bing Crosby wasn't really Irish...in a few words, that is a Bunch of Blarney. Here is his entire family lineage taken from his on-line Biography:
Ethnicity: 1/2 English, 1/2 Irish
Bing Crosby was an American singer and actor. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Going My Way (1944).
His father, Harry Lincoln/Lowe/Louis Crosby, was of English descent, including Colonial American ancestors in New England. His mother, Catherine/Katie Cordelia (Harrigan), was born in Stillwater, Washington, Minnesota, to Canadian parents, who were of Irish descent. Bing was raised Catholic.
Among his siblings were publicity director Larry Crosby and jazz singer and bandleader Bob Crosby. Bing was married to actress and nightclub singer Dixie Lee, until her death, and then to actress Kathryn Grant, until his death. He had four children with Dixie; and three, including actor and businessperson Harry Crosby, with Kathryn. Actress Denise Crosby is his granddaughter.
Bing’s patrilineal line can be traced to Anthony Crosby, who was born, c. 1545, in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire, England.
Bing’s paternal grandfather was Nathaniel Crosby (the son of Nathaniel Crosby and Mary Lincoln). Bing’s grandfather Nathaniel was born in Wiscasset, Lincoln, Maine, to parents from Brewster, Barnstable, Massachusetts; and was of English descent, from a family resident in New England since the 1600s. Bing’s great-grandfather Nathaniel was the son of Nathaniel Crosby and Ruby Foster. Mary was the daughter of Isaac Lincoln and Mary Foster.
Bing’s paternal grandmother was Cordelia Jane Smith (the daughter of Jacob Smith and Priscilla Fearnley). Cordelia was born in Covington, Fountain, Indiana. Priscilla was born in England.
Bing’s maternal grandfather was Dennis Harrigan (the son of Dennis Harrigan and Catherine Driscoll/Driscol). Bing’s grandfather Dennis was born in Williamstown, Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada, and was of Irish descent. Catherine was the daughter of Daniel O’Driscoll/Driscoll and Catherine Mahoney, who were from County Cork.
Bing’s maternal grandmother was Catherine Ahearn (the daughter of John Ahearn and Ann Meighan). Catherine was born in New Brunswick, to Irish parents.
Thanks for the weekly updates, I look forward to receiving them!!!