AmCF
One evening of late as I happened to stray,
CG
to the county Tipperary I straight took my way,
AmCF
to dig for potatoes and work by the day,
CGAm
for a farmer called Darby O'Leary.
[Verse 2]
AmC
I asked him how far we were bound for to go,
FG
the night being dark and a cold wind did blow,
AmCF
I was hungry and tired and me spirits were low,
CGAm
for I got neither whiskey nor water.
[Verse 3]
AmCF
The dirty old miser he mounted his steed,
CG
to the Galbally Mountains he rode in great speed,
AmCF
I followed behind 'til my poor feet did bleed,
CGAm
when we stopped when his old horse was weary.
[Verse 4]
AmC
When we came to his cottage I entered it first,
FG
it seemed like a kennel or ruined old church,
AmCF
says aye to myself I am left in the lurch,
CGAm
in the house of old Darby O'Leary.
[Verse 5]
AmCF
I well recollect it was Michalmass night,
CG
to a hearty good supper he did me invite,
AmCF
a cup of sour milk that was more green than white,
CGAm
and it gave me the trotting disorder.
[Verse 6]
AmC
The wet old potatoes would poison the cats,
FG
and the barn where me bed was, was swarming with rats,
AmCF
the fleas would have frightened the fearless Saint Pat,
CGAm
who banished the snakes o'er the border.
[Verse 7]
AmCF
He worked me by day and he worked me by night,
CG
while he held an old candle to give me some light,
AmCF
I wished his potatoes would die of the blight,
CGAm
or himself would go off with the fairies.
[Verse 8]
AmC
't Was on this old miser I looked with a frown,
FG
when the straw was brought in for to make my shakedown,
AmCF
and I wished that I'd never seen him nor his town,
CGAm
nor the sky over Darby O'Leary.
[Verse 9]
AmCF
I worked in Kilconnel, I've worked in Kilmore,
CG
I've worked in Knockranny and Shanballymore,
AmCF
and Kalisanaker and Sollahed Moore,
CGAm
with farmers so decent and cheery.
[Verse 10]
AmC
I've worked in Tipperary, the Rag in Ross Green,
FG
at the mount of Killfegal, the Bridge of Orleans,
AmCF
such woeful starvation I never yet seen,
CGAm
as I got from old Darby O'Leary.