O 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
Oh why did you abandon it, the reason me to tell
O son, I loved my native land with energy and pride
'Til a blight came over all our crops and the sheep and cattle died
My rent and taxes were to pay, I could not them redeem
And that's the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen
Oh well I do remember that cold December day
The landlord and the sheriff came to drive us away
They set our roof on fire with the demon's yellow spleen
And that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen
O father dear, the day may come when vengeance loud will call
When Irishmen are feeling stern to rally one and all
I'll be the man to lead the van beneath that flag of green
When loud and high we'll raise the cry, "Revenge for Skibbereen"
When loud and high we'll raise the cry, "Revenge for Skibbereen"
