Oh father dear, I oft-times hear you speak of Erin's isle
                                    Her lofty hills, her valleys green, her mountains rude and wild
                                    They say she is a lovely land wherein a saint might dwell
                                    So why did you abandon her, the reason to me tell.
                                    Oh son, I loved my native land with energy and pride
                                    Till a blight came o'er the praties; my sheep, my cattle died
                                    My rent and taxes went unpaid, 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 take us all away
                                    They set my roof on fire with their cursed English spleen
                                    I heaved a sigh and bade goodbye to dear old Skibbereen.
                                    
                                    Your mother too, God rest her soul, fell on the stony ground
                                    She fainted in her anguish seeing desolation 'round
                                    She never rose but passed 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 leave you with my friends 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 in answer to the call
                                    All Irish men of freedom stern will rally one and all
                                    I'll be the man to lead the band beneath the flag of green
                                    And loud and clear we'll raise the cheer, Revenge for Skibbereen!