The Wolfe Tones
The Limerick Rake
[Verse 1]
I am a young fellow who's easy and bold
In Castletown Connors I'm very well known
In Newcastle West I spent many a note
With Kitty and Judy and Mary
My Father rebuked me for being such a rake
And for spending me time in such frolicsome ways
But I ne'er could forget the fair nature of Jane
Agus fágaimíd siúd mar atá sé

[Refrain]
Would you haiden-de-hoden-de-haiden-de-hey!
Skilla-williy-ai-falla-loola-ladum-du-whack-fol-the-day
Someone sat on me hat and I lost my week's pay
Before the first light of the morning

[Verse 2]
If I chance for to go to the town of Rathkeale
All the girls around me will flock on the square
And some bring me poteen and others sweet cakes
For to treat me unknown to their oul' ones
There's one from Askeaton, there's one from the Pike
And another from Arda, my heart has beguiled
Tho' being from the mountains her stockings, they're white
Agus fágaimíd siúd mar atá sé
[Verse 3]
To quarrel for riches I ne’er was inclined
For the greatest of misers must leave them behind
I'll buy me a cow that will never run dry
And I'll milk her by twisting her horn
John Damer of Shronel had plenty of gold
And Devonshire's treasures, they're twenty times more!
But he's laid on his back among nettles and stones
Agus fágaimíd siúd mar atá sé

[Verse 4]
Now-a some say I'm foolish and more say I'm wise
But being fond of the women I think is no crime
For the son of King David had ten hundred wives
And his wisdom was highly regarded!
And now for the future, I mean to be wise
And I'll send for the women who acted so kind
And I'll marry them all on the morrow by and by
If the clergy agree to the bargain

[Refrain]
Would you haiden-de-hoden-de-haiden-de-hey!
Skilla-williy-ai-falla-loola-ladum-du-whack-fol-the-day
Someone sat on me hat and I lost my week's pay
Agus fágaimíd siúd mar atá sé!