Michael Finnegan (song)
"Michael Finnegan" (variant spellings include Michael Finnagen and Michael Vinnegan) is an example of an unboundedly long song, which can continue with numerous variations until the singer decides (or is forced) to stop. Like most other perpetual songs, this song tends to be sung by schoolchildren. It is a popular song often sung around a campfire or during scouting events. The origin of the words and music is unknown, but the tune bears similarity to Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush. The earliest documented reference is The Hackney Scout Song Book (Stacy & Son Ltd, 1921). It also appears in The Oxford song book, vol.2, collected and arranged by Thomas Wood (Oxford University Press, 1927). The song is most famous in Ireland.
One Set of Lyrics
There was an old man named Michael Finn-egan,
He had whiskers on his chin-igan,
They fell out and grew back in-again,
Poor old Michael Finnegan. Begin-again.
There was an old man called Michael Finn-egan,
Climbed a tree and barked his shin-igan,
Took off several yards of skin-igan,
Poor old Michael Finnegan. Begin-again (repeat)
There was an old man called Michael Finn-egan,
Ran a race and tried to win again.
He fell down and bumped his shin again.
Poor old Michael Finnegan. Begin-again.