Chuaigh mé chun aonaigh is dhíol mé mo bhó
Ar chúig phunta airgid is ar ghiní bhuí óir
Má ólaim an t-airgead is má bhronnaim an t-ór
Ó cad é sin do'n té sin nach mbaineann sin dó

Má théim 'na choille chraobhaigh cruinniú smeara nó cró
A bhaint úllaí de ghéaga nó a bhuachailleacht bó
Má shíním seal uaire faoi chrann a dhéanamh só
Ó cad é sin do'n té sin nach mbaineann sin dó

Má théimse chuig airnéal is rince is spórt
Chuig aonach is rásaí 's gach cruinniú den tsórt
Má chím daoine súgach is má bhím súgach leo
Ó cad é sin do'n té sin nach mbaineann sin dó

Deir daoine go bhfuil mé gan rath 's gan dóigh
Gan earra gan éadach gan bólacht ná stór
Má tá mise sásta mó chónaí i gcró
Ó cad é sin do'n té sin nach mbaineann sin dó

Chuaigh mé chun aonaigh is dhíol mé mo bhó
Ar chúig phunta airgid is ar ghiní bhuí óir
Má ólaim an t-airgead is má bhronnaim an t-ór
Ó cad é sin do'n té sin nach mbaineann sin dó

Translation:
I went to the fair and sold my cow
For five pounds of silver and a yellow guinea of gold
If I drink the silver and if I give away the gold
O what is that to anyone else
If I drink the silver and if I give away the gold
O what is that to anyone else
If I go to the leafy woods gathering berries or chestnuts
Plucking apples from branches or herding cows
If I stretch out for a while beneath a tree relaxing
O what is that to anyone else
If I stretch out for a while beneath a tree relaxing
O what is that to anyone else

If I go for a night-visit and for dancing and sport
To fairs and races and every gathering of that sort
If I see happy people and if I'm happy with them
O what is that to anyone else
If I see happy people and if I'm happy with them
O what is that to anyone else

People say I'm without riches no doubt
Without goods or clothes or cattle or stock
If I a happy living in a hovel
O what is that to anyone else
If I a happy living in a hovel
O what is that to anyone else