Stay Awhile
The Kingston Trio · Other Songs - The Kingston Trio
We'll never want to leave ya
Oh, we'll stay awhile to bide awhile
'Til we come back to see ya
As we were walkin' down to Wales one day
We chanced upon young Tommy Clancy
And we called to him, "Could you go a drink?"
Said "He'll ask that's my fancy"
Oh, we'll stay awhile to bide awhile
We'll never want to leave ya
Oh, we'll stay awhile to bide awhile
'Til we come back to see ya
Oh, we drank to Tommy and he did the same
We drank to all his hellish brothers
And we drank to home and the girls we've known
Then had one for our mothers
Oh, we'll stay awhile to bide awhile
We'll never want to leave ya
Oh, we'll stay awhile to bide awhile
'Til we come back to see ya
And then we sang those songs that we sang before
We sang that we would drink forever
When the last drop passed our lips that day
We sang this song together
Oh, we'll stay awhile to bide awhile
We'll never want to leave ya
Oh, we'll stay awhile to bide awhile
'Til we come back to see ya
Stay Awhile
The Kingston Trio's "Stay Awhile" exemplifies the group's signature approach to folk music, blending traditional storytelling with tight, three-part harmonies. As a cornerstone of the American folk revival, the trio brought a polished, accessible sound to a wide audience, often drawing from diverse global traditions and classic American ballads. This recording captures their ability to transform simple melodies into emotionally resonant performances that defined an era. The song reflects the band's broader discography, which prioritized lyrical clarity and rhythmic precision. By focusing on themes of connection and presence, the track stands as a testament to the group's enduring influence on folk and acoustic music. Their work remains a vital reference point for understanding the evolution of popular folk arrangements in the mid-twentieth century.