It's a Long Way to Tipperary - The History of This Famous Song

It's a Long Way to Tipperary is a song from World War I about an Irishman who was a British soldier longing for his sweetheart in Tipperary.

Have you ever wondered what's the history of this famous Irish song? How did it become such an international hit? Is it actually an Irish song? Here we'll explore its history, origins and international fame.

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Origins of It's A Long Way To Tipperary

There's just something special about listening to folk music that tells the stories of where you come from. Not only do the melodies remind you of where your ancestors are from, the words can transcend time and place and bring comforting reminders of those who have gone before you.

Many Irish songs are not only catchy, they serve as lessons in history, conveying stories of our Irish predecessors. We are reminded of the land our families belonged to, the work they passed down through the centuries, the good times they had, and the love they had for each other.

One of these songs is “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary" (Also known as "It's a Long Long Way to Tipperary.")

Although it didn’t start out as an Irish song, it later became a song that Irish people can sing with pride, and now forms part of Ireland's musical tradition that is passed from generation to generation.

Who Wrote the Song A Long Way To Tipperary?

The original author of “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” was a British man named Jack Judge. He was a songwriter, and the legend of the song is that he was bet 5 shillings to write a new song and sing it at his local music hall called “The Grand Theater” in Stalybridge, Cheshire on January 31, 1912.

This legend is highly debated, and may not be true, but it is the prominent folk story that goes along with the song.

Later on, Judge decided to publish the song, and he looked to a British publishing company called B. Feldman and Co. run by a man named Bert Feldman. At the time, Judge’s friend Harry Williams, who was rumored to have made the bet with him to create the song, was listed as a co-creator, and was paid royalties by the company. Both cowriters shared the royalties.

However, after Williams’s death, Judge came out and said that he was the only author of the song, he had simply listed Williams as well so he could pay back the debt he owed to Williams. This is still left unsettled, as Williams’ family found documents of a song previously written by the two of them that was very similar to “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.”

That other song was named "It's a Long Way to Connemara." Judge may have simply changed the lyrics from Connemara to Tipperary. His grandparents were originally from County Tipperary.

What is the Song About?

The song is about an Irish man named Paddy who is in mighty London, singing songs of Piccadilly. He’s having a good time, until he realizes how far away he is from Tipperary, which is a county in the province of Munster in Ireland.

He writes a letter to the girl he’s in love with, his "Irish Molly O'", letting her know that he’s coming back to Tipperary for her. He says "Goodbye Picadilly, Farewell Leicester Square" and heads back home.

That's the prevailing story of the lyrics that are most well-known. Here's the chorus which are the most recognisable lyrics.

"It's a long way to Tipperary
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to Tipperary
To the sweetest girl I know!
Goodbye Piccadilly
Farewell Leicester Square!
It's a long long way to Tipperary
But my heart's right there."

Like many folk songs, there are optional other verses, and there are also many adjusted versions of the song with optional additions that deepen the lore and connection to other legends in Irish culture, like Molly Malone and other recognizable tropes.

The girl Molly in the song later introduces a potential love interest called Mike Maloney, her Irish Paddy-o.

Like another World War I song, "Keep the Home Fires Burning" the theme of the song was longing for home.

Another theory about the meaning of this famous Tipperary song, is that Tipperary was the name of the district near Soho in London that soldiers frequented to meet ladies of the night.

Which Recording Made it Famous?

The song was first sung on the British music hall stage in 1913 by a singer known as Florrie Forde.

A few years after Jack Judge wrote his British music hall song, the most famous recording was made in November 1914 during the first World War by an Irish tenor named John McCormack. He was a world famous singer with an amazing voice. He was the Pavorotti of his day.

In 1915 the writers of the song earned over $750,000 in royalties. That was a small fortune back at the start of the 20th century. Today we would say that it went viral. Three million copies were sold in the United Kingdom and six million copies were sold worldwide.

This was when the song really became known as more of an Irish folk tune rather than being connected to the British music hall stage where it started.

British soldiers enjoyed the song as well! In August 1914 the Connaught Rangers Regiment of the British Army were heard singing the song as they marched through Boulogne in France.

George Curnock, a journalist with the Daily Mail reported the singing of the song in a dispatch introducing the tune to a large newspaper readership.

It gained worldwide popularity as a war song. You have likely already heard John McCormack's version, as it was featured in the blockbuster movie Titanic.

You can listen to the John McCormack recording here.

How is it Used Today?

One little-known fact is that the fight songs for the University of Missouri and the University of Oregon are actually derived from “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” A man named Philip H. Pope from the University of Chicago’s Biological Sciences department also lays claim to a version called "It's a Long Way from Amphioxus,” a parodied version of the song that teaches about evolution.

One more example is in the war movie “Das Boot,” as the soldiers sing “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” in the submarine. Of course, there are also many covers by Irish folk bands, historical cover bands, and orchestras who play popular songs from Irish culture.

These are just a few examples that you might know of. There are many adjusted versions that are used all around the world! It can be difficult at times to even spot versions of this song, as each artist truly creates their own take on it, from a capella, somber recordings to upbeat dance remixes.

This beautiful song has extended beyond Irish culture and become important to people all over the world! It begs the question: Who would you travel all the way to Tipperary for?