Skibereen

Oh, father dear, I oft times hear you speak of Erin's Isle

Her lofty scenes, her valleys green, her mountains rude and wild

They say it is a princely place wherein the king might dwell

So why did you abandon it? The reason to me tell

Oh, son, I loved my native land with energy and pride

Until a blight came on the crops, the sheep and the cattle died

The rents and taxes were to pay, I could not them redeem

And that's the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen

It's well I do remember that cold December day

The landlords and the bailiffs came to drive us all away

They set my roof on fire with their demon yellow spleen

And that's the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen

Your mother too, God rest her soul, lay on the snowy ground

She fainted o'er in anguish from the desolation round

She never rose, but passed away from life to immortal dream

And she found a quiet grave, me boy, in dear old Skibbereen

And you were only two years old and feeble was your frame

I could not leave you with my friends for you bore your father's name

So I wrapped you in my coat the more at the dead of night unseen

I heaved a sigh and said goodbye to dear old Skibbereen

'Tis well I do remember the year of '48

When Erin's Sons they rallied round and battled against the fate

I was hunted through the mountains as a traitor to the queen

And that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen

Oh, father dear, the day will come when vengeance loud will call

And Erin's sons will rise again and rally one and all

I'll be the man to lead the van beneath the flag of green

And loud and high we'll ring the cry revenge for Skibbereen