Never did I find me mate for charmin’ an’ delightin’,
Never one that had me bate for courtin’ an’ for fightin’;—
( A white moon at the crossroads then, and Denny with the fiddle;
The parish round admirin’, when I danced down the middle. )
Up the earth and down again, me like you'd not discover;
Arrah! for the times before me dancin’ days were over!
Never was a moon so low it did n't find me courtin’,
Never blade I could n't show a wilder way of sportin’.
( Is it at the fair I'd be, the gentry'd troop to talk with me;
Leapin’ with delight was she,— the girl I'd choose to walk with me. )
‘ Twas I could win the pick of them from any lad or lover;
Arrah! for the times before me dancin’ days were over!
What's come to all the lads to-day,— these mournful ways they're keepin’,
Grudgin’ any hour to play and wastin’ nights in sleepin’.
( Readin’ be the chimney-place,— that dacent in their habits,
You'd sooner get a fight or song be callin’ upon rabbits. )
Faith, I'd change the lot for one rejoicin’, rantin’ rover,
The like of me, myself, before me dancin’ days were over.