In the town of Athy one Jeremy Lanigan Battered away 'til he hadn't a pound. His father he died and made him a man again Left him a farm and ten acres of ground. He threw a grand party to friends and relations Who didn't desert him when it comes to the will, And if you'll but listen I'll make your eyes glisten And spin you a tale of Lanigan's Ball Six whole months I spent in Dublin, Six whole months doing nothing at all Six whole months I spent in Dublin, Learning to dance for Lanigan's ball I stepped out and he stepped in again He stepped out and I stepped in again I stepped out and he stepped in again Learning to dance to Lanigan's ball Myself to be sure got free invitation, For all the nice girls and boys I might ask, And just in a minute both friends and relations Were dancing as merry as bees 'round a cask. There were lashings of punch and wine for the ladies, Potatoes and cakes; there was bacon and tea, There were the Nolans, Dolans, O'Gradys Courting the girls and dancing away Six whole months I spent in Dublin, Six whole months doing nothing at all Six whole months I spent in Dublin, Learning to dance for Lanigan's ball I stepped out and he stepped in again He stepped out and I stepped in again I stepped out and he stepped in again Learning to dance to Lanigan's ball They were doing all kinds of nonsensical polkas Around the room in a whirligig But Julia and I, we banished their nonsense And gave them a taste of a real Irish jig. Oh, how the girls got all mad at me Danced 'til we thought that the ceiling would fall. For I spent three weeks at Brooks' Academy Learning new steps for Lanigan's Ball. Six whole months I spent in Dublin, Six whole months doing nothing at all Six whole months I spent in Dublin, Learning to dance for Lanigan's ball I stepped out and he stepped in again He stepped out and I stepped in again I stepped out and he stepped in again LEARNING TO DANCE TO LANIGAN'S BALL!