Irish traditional song lyrics — collected by Beer Belly Band.
For fun and diversion we have met together, I tell you from Waterford hither we came
To cross the big in dark stormy weather, our pockets were light and our hearts were the same
Sad at leaving old Ireland we’re once more on dry land by the road side a tavern I chanced for to spy
And as I was melting, me pockets I felt in for the price of a drink I was mortally dry
Chorus:
For we are the boys with such fun and such eloquence
Drinking and dancing and all other joys
For ructions destruction’s diversion and devilment
Who’s to compare with the Waterford boys
In tavern I rolled, in the landlord he strolled, Good morrow says he and says I if you please
Will you give a bed and then bring me some bread and a bottle of porter and a small piece of cheese
My bread and cheese ended, I then condescended to take my repose, sure I bad him good night
Then under the clothes, I was trying to doze, first I stuck in me toes and then popped out the light
Well I wasn’t long sleeping, when heard creeping and gnawing and chawing around the bed post
My breath I suspended, but the noise never ended, thinks I you’ve damned oul bull’s claws for a ghost
Now to make myself easy, for I felt rather lazy, then over me head I again pulled the clothes
Sure a Moses what’s that, sure a great big Jack rat, with one leap from the floor jumped right up to me nose
Chorus
Well I reached for a hob tail and made up a bob tail and rassled with rats till the clear light of day
When the landlord came in and he said with a grin, for your supper and bed you’ve five shillings to pay
Five shillings for that, now don’t be disgracing yourself, says I to the rogue if you please
When I can’t sleep with the rats, you’ve the devil’s own face on you to charge me five shillings for dry bread and cheese
Oh the landlord went raring and lepping tearing, he jumped through the window and kicked in the door
When he could go no further, he roared mill’ya murder these rats they are eatin’ up be the score
Sure they sleep in me stable, they eat at me tables, they wrestle me dogs and they’ve killed all me cats
Throthin’ says I you give me those five shillings and I’ll show you the way to get rid of those rats
I’m willing says well invite them to supper on dry bread and cheese they’ll be forth and be sure
Never mind if they’re willin’, just charge them five shillings and devil the rat will you ever see more
Chorus