"Clancy Lowered The Boom"

No personal notes.

"Clancy Lowered the Boom" is a song written by Hy Heath and Johnny Lange in 1947, made famous by Dennis Day on Jack Benny's radio program (The Jack Benny Program). The song follows the adventures of an Irish-American stereotype as he "lowers the boom" on any person that gives him "guff".

On his VH1 Storytellers record with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash mentions that the melody for his well-known Columbia Records hit "Don't Take Your Guns to Town" was taken from "Clancy Lowered the Boom".

It was also recorded by Bing Crosby, and it was Petula Clark's second single in 1949.

Several variations of the lyrics are available online, but do not include the final line from Dennis Day's RCA recording: "Sure, 'twas the most beautiful fight y' ever did see when Clancy lower'd the boom!"

YouTube video of Dennis Day (and company) performing it;

Finally, I have the first page of a score written for this here, found on the web.

Lyrics;

1. Now Clancy was a peaceful man,
If you know what I mean.
The cops picked up the pieces
After Clancy left the scene.
He never looked for trouble,
That's a fact you can assume.
But never-the-less,
When trouble would press,
Clancy lowered the boom!

Refrain:
Oh, that Clancy! 
Oh, that Clancy!
Whenever they got his Irish up,
Clancy lowered the boom!
(Boom, boom, boom, 
boom, boom, boom, boom!)	

2. O'Leary was a fightin' man,
They all knew he was tough.
He strutted 'round the neighborhood,
A-shootin' off his guff.
He picked a fight with Clancy,
Then and there he sealed his doom.
Before you could shout
"O'Leary, look out!"
Clancy lowered the boom!
Refrain:

3. Now Clancy left the barber shop
With tonic on his hair,
He walked into the pool room
And he met O'Reilly there.
O'Reilly said "For goodness sakes,
Now do I smell perfume?"
Before you could stack
Your cue in the rack,
Clancy lowered the boom!
Refrain:

4. Mulrooney walked into the bar
And ordered up a round.
He left his drink to telephone,
And Clancy drank it down.
Mulrooney said "Who drunk me drink?
I'll lay him in his tomb!"
Before you could pat
The top of your hat,
Clancy lowered the boom!
Refrain:

5. O'Houlihan delivered ice
To Misses Clancy's flat.
He'd always linger for a while,
To talk of this and that.
One day he kissed her
Just as Clancy walked into the room.
Before you could say
The time of the day,
Clancy lowered the boom!
Refrain:

6. The neighbors all turned out
For Kate O'Grady's weddin' night.
McDoogle said "Let's have some fun
I- I think I'll start a fight!"
He wrecked the hall, then kissed the bride
And pulverized the groom.
Then quick as a wink,
Before you could think,
Clancy lowered the boom!

Final Refrain:
Refrain:
Oh, that Clancy! 
Oh, that Clancy!
Whenever they got his Irish up,
Clancy lowered the boom!
Oh, that Clancy! 
Oh, that Clancy!
Whenever they got his Irish up,
Clancy lowered the boom!
(Boom, boom, boom, 
boom, boom, boom, boom,
boom!)	
 
(spoken:)
Sure, 'twas the most beautiful sight 
y' ever did see when Clancy lower'd the boom!