The great Frank Harte sings this song with great gusto. And the Mudcat Café yields this background about this song:
…Don Meade traces the history of the song from its origins: it was written by Edward Harrigan and its first performance was probably in March, 1874, in conjunction with a variety sketch called “Who Owns the [Clothes] Line.” It became very popular and was covered by many other performers. It is alluded to in a short story by Rudyard Kipling and in James Joyce’s Finnegan Wake. It probably was spread to Ireland itself through the music-hall singing of William J. Ashcroft. A 78-rpm recording by Sam Carson also helped to spread the song through Ireland. The tune is probably traditional Irish; an 1874 songster directs that it be sung to the tune of Colleen Rhue (Red-haired girl). Other similar melodies include “Youghal Harbour,” “Boulavogue,” “Omagh Town,” and perhaps some three percent of all Irish folk songs.
Muldoon, the Solid Man
I am a man of great influence, and educated to a high degree
I came when small from Donegal and my cousin Jimmy came along with me
On the city road I was situated in a lodging house with me brother Dan
Till by perseverance I elevated, and I went to the front like a solid man.
Chorus:
So come with me, and I will treat you decent
I’ll sit you down and I will fill your can
And along the street all the friends I meet
Say “There goes Muldoon, he’s a solid man.”
At any party or at a raffle, I always go as an invited guest
As conspicuous as the great Lord Mayor, boys, I wear a nosegay upon me chest
And when called upon for to address the meeting, with no regard for clique or clan
I read the Constitution with great elocution, because you see, I am a solid man.
Chorus
Song of the Isles 