[Verse 1]
I am a brisk lad, me fortune is bad
In fact I am wondrous poor
But it's I do intend my fortune to mend
I'll build a house down on the moor, me brave boys
I will build a house down on the moor

[Verse 2]
Me father does keep fat oxen and sheep
With a neat little nag on the down
But in the middle of the night, when the moon does shine bright
There's a number of jobs to be done, me brave boys
There's a number of jobs to be done

[Verse 3]
So I'll roam around on another man's ground
And I'll take a fat ewe from his pack
And with the aid of my knife, I'll shorten its life
And I'll carry it home on me back, me brave boys
And I'll carry it home on me back

[Verse 4]
My children will pull the skin from the wool
And I'll carve it up to the bone
And when the constable does come I'll stand there with me gun
And I'll swear all I have is me own, me brave boys
And I'll swear all I have is me own
[Verse 5/Refrain]
I am a brisk lad, me fortune is bad
In fact I am wondrous poor
But it's I do intend my fortune to mend
I'll build a house down on the moor, me brave boys
I will build a house down on the moor