The Outlaw Rapparee

McGrath/Brett/O'Brien/English

My spurs are rusted, my coat is rent, my plume is damp with rain

And the thistle down and the barley beard are thick on my horses mane

But my rifle's as bright as my sweetheart's eye, my arm is strong and free

What care have I for your king or laws, I'm an outlawed rapparee

[chorus]

Lift your glasses friends with mine and give your hand to me

I'm England's foe, I'm Ireland's friend, I'm an outlawed rapparee

The mountain cavern is my home, up high in the crystal air

And my bed of limestone iron ribbed and the brown heath smelling fair

Let George or William only send his troops to burn or loot

We'll meet them up on equal ground and we'll fight them foot to foot.

Hunted from out our father's home, pursued by steel and shot

A bloody warfare we must wage or the gibbet be our lot

Hurrah! This war is welcome work, the hunted outlaw knows

He steps unto his country's love o'er the corpses of his foes.