Skibberreen 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 it is a lovely land wherein a prince might dwell

Then, why did you abandon it?

The reason to me tell

My son, I loved my native land with energy and pride

Till a blight came over all my crops and my sheep and cattle died

The rent and taxes were to pay, I could not them redeem

And that's the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen

'Tis well I do remember the bleak November day

When the landlord and the bailiff came to drive us all away

The roof they set on fire with their cursed English spleen

And that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen

Well, father dear, the day will come when in vengeance we will call

And Irish men, both brave and strong, will rally to the call

I could be the man to lead the band beneath the flag of green

And loud and high, we'll raise the cry, "Revenge for Skibbereen!"

Revenge for Skibberreen