Entertainment Music The History and Lyrics of Irish Folksong Galway Piper Print fotoVoyager/Getty Images Music World Music Genres & Styles Top Picks Top Artists Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Classical Music Country Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Megan Romer Updated on 03/16/19 "The Galway Piper," also known as "Piping Tim," is a well-known traditional Irish folk song, commonly categorized as a drinking song, as its lyrics, which tell of a great piper, make for a rousing sing-along. As is the case with so many wonderful old tunes, the person or people who wrote "The Galway Piper" are forgotten to history, though it's known to have been published as early as 1740. Lyrics Every person in the nationOr of great or humble stationHolds in highest estimationPiping Tim of Galway.Loudly he can play, or lowHe can move you fast or slowTouch your hearts or stir your toePiping Tim of Galway. When the wedding bells are ringingHis the breath to lead the singingThen in jigs the folks go swingingWhat a splendid piper!He will blow from eve to mornCounting sleep a thing of scornOld is he but not outwornKnow you such a piper? When he walks the highway pealingRound the head the birds come wheelingTim has carols worth the stealingPiping Tim of GalwayThrush and linnet, finch and larkTo each other twitter "Hark!"Soon they sing from light to darkPipings learnt in Galway.