Lyrics Jack Mulroe - Andy Irvine

Now as Jack he went a-roving with trouble on his mind
For the leaving of his country and his darling girl behind

With me dithery-idle-dyddle-di, Me ditheree idle dando

Rich lords they came to court her and squires of great fame
There was none but Jack the sailor lad this lady's heart could gain

Says the old man to his daughter now if this be true of thee
O Jack he will be banished and confined you will be
You may confine my body but you can't confine my mind
For it is Jack the sailor lad that's won this heart of mine

And she went into a tailor's shop and dressed in man's array
To ship on board of a man of war and convey herself away

Before you get on board with us your name we'd like to know
With a smile upon her countenance they call me Jack Mulroe

O your waist it does look slender and your fingers do look small
And your cheeks are red as rosy for to face the cannonball
My cheeks they may look rosy and my fingers may look small
But I would not start or tremble though ten thousand round me fall

And the drums did loudly rattle and loud music it did play
And upon the field of battle then they all did march away
They fought all day with valour and likewise with might and main
And a sergeant and two officers by this fair maid were slain

And when the war was over in a circle she marched round
And among the dead and wounded her sailor boy she found

Coming up the streets of Mohill she raised him in her arms
And she sent for the best of doctors for to heal his bleeding wounds

Then up and stepped her father saying my daughter's gone from me
And divil the feature in her face but does resemble thee
She says I am your daughter and likewise your daughter dear
I fought through the wars in Germany and I have my Johnny here

And the bonfires blazed on every hill as you may plainly see
For to welcome this young couple home from the wars of Germany

And her father then he gave consent to join in wedlock bands
Besides he gave her a thousand pounds a thousand and free land