The Limerick Rake

I am a young fellow that's easy and bold,

In Castletown Conners I'm very well known;

In Newcastle West I spent many a note

With Kitty and Jenny and Mary.

My parents rebuked me for being such a rake

And spending my time in such frolicsome ways,

But I ne've could forget the good nature of Jane,

Agus fagaimid siud mar ata se.

There's some say I'm foolish, there's more say I'm wise,

For love of the women I'm sure 'tis no crime;

For the son of King David had ten thousand wives

And his wisdom is highly recorded.

If I chance for to go to the town of Rathkeel,

The girls all around me do flock on the square,

Some give me a bottle and others sweetcakes,

To treat me unknown to their parents,

There's one from Askeaton and one from the Pyke,

And another from Ardour, my heart was beguiled,

And being from the mountains, her stockings were white,

Agus fagaimid siud mar ata se.

John Damer of Shronel had plenty of gold

And Devonshire's treasure was twenty times more,

But he's laid on his back among nettles and stones,

Agus fagaimid siud mar ata se.

And when I'm on my back and I'm laid to rest

The women will crowd for to cry at my wake,

And their sons and their daughters will utter their prayers

To the Lord for the sake of their father.