[Verse 1]
I am a young man and my fortune is bad
If e'er I get rich 'tis a wonder
I've spent all my money on girls and strong beer
What riches I have are all plundered
Field after field to market I sent
Till my land was all gone and my money all spent
My heart was so hard that I ne'er could repent
'Twas that that brought me to Limbo

[Verse 2]
Well, once I could run while others do lie
And strut like a crow in the gutter
The people all said that saw me pass by
"There goes Mr. Fop in a fluttеr"
To the top and top-gallant I hoisted my sail
With a fine rich cravat and a wig with three tails
But now I am rеady to gnaw my own nails
And drink the cold waters of Limbo

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
I had an old uncle lived down in the West
When he heard of my sad disaster
Poor soul, after that he could never take rest
His struggles came faster and faster
He came to the jail to view my sad case
As soon as I saw him I knew his old face
I stood gazing on him like one in amaze
And wished myself safe out of Limbo
[Verse 4]
"Jack, if I should set you once more on your legs
And put you in credit and fashion
Oh, will you leave off these old rakish ways
And try for to govern your passion?"
"Yes, Uncle," says I, "If you will set me free
I surely will always be ruled by thee
And I'll labour my bones for the good of my soul
And pay them for laying me in Limbo"

[Verse 5]
He took from his pocket three thousand pounds
And counted it out in bright guineas
When I was free from the prison gates
I went to see Peggy and Jeannie
My old ragged old clothes, they knew not of my gold
They turned me all out in the wet and the cold
You'd a-laughed for to hear how those hussies did scold
They jawed me for laying in Limbo

[Verse 6]
Well, I hadn't been there such a very short time
My pockets they then fell a-picking
I banged them as long as my cane I could hold
Until they fell coughing and kicking
The one called out "Murder," the other did scold
I banged them as long as my cane I could hold
I banged their old bodies for the good of their souls
And paid them for laying me in Limbo