Traditional
The Croppy Boy
[Verse 1]
It was early, early all in the spring
The birds did whistle and sweetly sing
Changing their notes from tree to tree
And the song they sang was Old Ireland free
[Verse 2]
It was early early all in the night
The yeoman cavalry gave me a fright
The yeoman cavalry were my downfall
I was taken prisoner by Lord Cornwall
[Verse 3]
As I was walking up Wexford Street
My own first cousin I chanced to meet;
My own first cousin did me betray
And for one bare guinea sold my life away
[Verse 4]
As I was walking up Wexford Hill
Oh who could blame me to cry my fill?
I looked behind, and I looked before
But my tender mother I could see no morе
[Verse 5]
And as I was mounted on the scaffold high
My own dear fathеr was standing by;
My aged father did me deny
And the name he gave me was the Croppy Boy
[Verse 6]
It was in Dungannon this young man died
In Passage East his body lies
So all good people who do pass by
Just shed a tear for the Croppy Boy