lilt up

verb1

1. •
   To start playing (music); to strike up (a tune, song, etc.).

   • "[A]nd divil be in Tim, when he h'ard it but he lilts up the 'Priest in his Boots;' and, God forgive us, we all burst out laughin', for shure who could hilp it, if it was the bishop himsilf?" — 1850