Oh father dear, I oft-times hear you speak of Erin's isle
Her lofty scenes, her valleys green, her mountains rude and wild
They say she is a lovely land wherein a prince might dwell
So why did you abandon her, the reasons to me tell.
Oh son, I loved our native land with energy and pride
Till a blight came o'er the land; my sheep, my cattle died
My rent and taxes were so high, I could not them redeem
And that's the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen.
Oh well do I remember that bleak December day
The landlord and the sheriff came to drive us all away
They set my roof on fire with their cursed English spleen
And that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen.
Oh mother dear, God rest her soul, fell on the snowy ground
Her treasured life possessions they lay scattered all around
She never rose but pa**ed away from life to immortal dream
She found a quiet grave, me boy, in dear old Skibbereen.
And you were only two years old and feeble was your frame
I could not abandon you for you bore your father's name
I wrapped you in my cóta mór in the dead of night unseen
I heaved a sigh and bade goodbye to dear old Skibbereen.
Oh father dear, the day will come when vengeance now will call
All Irish men of freedom stern will rally one and all
I'll be the man to lead the band beneath our flag of green
And loud and clear we'll raise the cheer, Revenge for Skibbereen!