3
When eighteen years of age, was teas'd and
perplext
To know what I should be, so a lover turned
next,
And courted sweet Sheelah of Ballyporeen.
I thought I'd just take her to comfort my life,
Not knowing that she was already a wife,
She ask'd me just once that to see her I'd come,
When I found her ten children and husband at
home,
A great big whacking chairman of Ballyporeen.
I next turned a soldier, I did not like that,
So turn'd servant, and liv'd with great Justice
Pat,
A big dealer in p'ratoes at Ballyporeen.
With turtle and venison he lin'd his inside,
Eat so many fat capons; that one day he died
So great was my grief, that to keep spirits up
Of some nice whisky cordial I took a big sup,
To my master's safe journey from Ballyporeen.
Kick'd and toss'd so about like a weathecock
vane,
I pack'd up my awls, and I went back again,
To my grandfather's cottage at Ballyporeen.
I found him poor soul! with no legs for his hose,
Could not see through the spectacles put on his
nose;
With no teeth in his head, so death cock'd up
his chin;
He slipp'd out of his slippers and faith I slipp'd in
And succeeded poor Dennis of Ballyporeen.
