Page:Paddy MacShane.pdf/3

 When eighteen years of age, was teas'd and perplext

To know what I should be, so a lover turned next,

And courted sweet Sheelah of Ballyporeen.

I thought I'd just take her to comfort my life,

Not knowing that she was already a wife,

She ask'd me just once that to see her I'd come,

When I found her ten children and husband at home,

A great big whacking chairman of Ballyporeen.

I next turned a soldier, I did not like that,

So turn'd servant, and liv'd with great Justice Pat,

A big dealer in p'ratoes at Ballyporeen.

With turtle and venison he lin'd his inside,

Eat so many fat capons; that one day he died

So great was my grief, that to keep spirits up

Of some nice whisky cordial I took a big sup,

To my master's safe journey from Ballyporeen.

Kick'd and toss'd so about like a weathecock vane,

I pack'd up my awls, and I went back again,

To my grandfather's cottage at Ballyporeen.

I found him poor soul! with no legs for his hose,

Could not see through the spectacles put on his nose;

With no teeth in his head, so death cock'd up his chin;

He slipp'd out of his slippers and faith I slipp'd in

And succeeded poor Dennis of Ballyporeen.