Skibbereen

Unknown

Oh father dear I oft-times hear you talk of Erin´s Isle

Her lofty scene and valley green, her mountains rude and wild

They say it is a pretty place where-in a prince might d´well

Then why did you abondon it? The reason to me tell.

My son I loved our native land with energy and pride

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

The rent 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 bleak December day,

The landlord and the sheriff came to drive us all away;

They set the roof on fire with their demon yellow spleen,

And that´s another reason why I left old Skibbereen.

It´s well I do remember the year of forty-eight

When I arose with Erin´s boys to fight against the fate,

I was hunted through the mountains for 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 we will rise with Erin´s boys and rally one and all,

I´ll be the man to lead the van beneath our flag of green,

And loud and high we´ll raise the cry:´Revenge for Skibereen´.