"Northern Rake" lyrics - THE IRISH ROVERS

A few years ago me wee farm it was small
Butter and eggs and an ass in the stall
But the landlord came by and I blackened his eye
And I burst his ould skull wen I caused him to fall

And it's oh where has my money all gone
Me clothes are in rags me watch is in the pawn
Whiskey and women have led astray
And the law keeps me moving along

I took to the roads on a cold winter's day
With the clothes on me back and the devil to pay
I robbed an ould miser in the town of Strabane
And sailed for Quebec with the police on the way
Well I've fished off the banks and I've worked in the trees

Built dams in Ontario in mud to me knees
Drove cows in the west oh I've harvest the wheat
Digging gold in the Yukon me body did freeze
With the work and the drink me ould back it is bent

Me days like me money are nearly all spent
I'll go back to me home and build a wee still
And the whiskey will keep me well fed and content