Skibbereen

Oh father dear, well I've often heard
You speak of Erin's Isle
Her lofty scenes, her valleys green
Her mountains rude and wild
They say it is a lovely land
Wherein a prince might dwell
Oh why did you abandon it?
The reason to me tell

Oh son I loved my native land
With energy and pride
Till a blight came over all my crops
My sheep, my cattle died
My rent and taxes were too high
I could not them redeem
And that's the cruel reason
That I left old Skibbereen

Oh and well do I remember son
That bleak December day
When the sheriff and the landlord came
To drive us all away
They set my cottage roof on fire
With corsaid English flame
And that's another reason
That I left old Skibbereen

Oh your mother too, God rest her soul
Lay on the snowy ground
She fainted in her anguish
Saw the desolation round
She never rose but passed away
From life to mortal dream
And found a quiet grave my boy
In dear old Skibbereen

Oh father dear, well the day might come
When in answer to the call
Each Irishman with feeling strong
Will rally one and all
And I'll be the man to lead the band
Beneath the flag of green
And loud and high will you hear the cry
Revenge for Skibbereen