Page:Popular songster.pdf/3



My father was once a great merchant,
 * As any in Ireland is found;

But faith! he could ne'er save a shilling,
 * Though tatoes he sold by the pound.

So says he to my mother one night,
 * To England suppose you and I go;

And the very next day by moonlight
 * They took leave of the county Sligo.
 * Sing, fal de ral lal de ral la fal la de, &c.

That the land is all covered with water,
 * 'Twixt England and Ireland you'll own,

And single misfortunes, they say.
 * To an Irishman ne'er came alone:

So my father, poor man, was first drowned,
 * Then shipwreck'd in sailing from Cork;

But my mother the got safe to land,
 * And a whisky shop opened in York.

Sing, fal de ral, &c.

Just a year after father was dead.
 * One night about five in the morn,

An odd accident happen'd to me,
 * For 'twas then that myself was first born: