It was Sergeant Mike O'Leary who broke the barricade,
Who took the chance, and won the Cross that crowns the bayonet trade;
‘ Twas “M'anam do Dhia,” and “How's your heart,” and “How could we forget?”
But Michael from Inchigeela will fill a ballad yet.
Oh! a fair and pleasant land is Cork for wit and courtesy,
Ballyvourney East and Baile Dubh and Kilworth to the sea:
And when they light the turf to-night, spit, stamp, swear as of yore,
It's the Sergeant Mike O'Leary' s ghosts that ward the southern shore.