Patrick Street/The Carraroe Jig

You sailors all come lend an ear and listen to me song

It's of a trick was played on me and it won't detain you long

I came home from sea the other day and a girl I chanced to meet

And she's asked me up along with her to dance in Patrick Street

"Oh," says I, "me pretty fair maid, I cannot dance too well

Besides I'm bound for Newry town where my parents they do dwell

I've been at sea these last few years, I've saved up fifty pounds

And my parents are expecting me tonight in Newry town."

"Since you cannot dance too well, then you can have a treat

You can have a glass of brandy and something nice to eat

At nine o'clock this evening I'll leave you to your train

And don't forget to call on me when you come back again."

Oh, she seemed to be so friendly, I went and hired a car

We both went down to Patrick Street and on arrival there

The people on the other side I thought I heard them say

"Oh, he'll sure be in need of a jaunting car before he gets away."

We had not been long in the room when whiskey it came in

And when everyone had had their fill, the dancing did begin

Me and me love we danced around all to a merry tune

While the other couples did the double shuffle round the room

And when dancing it was over, for bed we did prepare

And after that I fell asleep, the truth I will declare

Me darling and me fifty pounds, me gold and all had fled

And there was I myself alone stark naked lying in bed

In gazing all around me, nothing could I spy

But a woman's skirt and jumper at the foot of the bed did lie

I wrung me hands and tore me hair crying, "Oh what will I do?

Oh, fare thee well sweet Newry town, I'm sure I'll never see you."

And when nighttime it was come again and daylight was away

I put on me skirt and jumper and I set off for the quay

And when I went on board the ship the sailors all did say

"Oh, Jack has grown much prettier since last she went away."

"Oh, is this the new spring fashion that you went to buy on shore?

And where's the shop that sells them

Do you think they may have more?"

The captain says, "Now Jack, I thought you were for Newry town

You might have bought a better suit than that for fifty pounds."

"Well, I might have bought a better suit if I had had the chance

I met a girl in High Street, she's asked me to a dance

I danced me own destruction and I've done it so complete

That I vow I'll never go back again and dance in Patrick Street."

Come all of you young sailor boys, a warning take by me

And always keep good company when you go on a spree

Be sure and stay clear of Patrick Street or else you'll rue the day

In a woman's skirt and jumper they will ship you back to sea