Roger Drawdy & The Firestarters - Skibbereen lyrics

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!