Skibbereen

Skibbereen - Mark Britten

Oh Father dear

I ofter hear you speck of erin's Isle

Her lofty scene her valleys green

Her mountains rude and wild

They say it is a lovely land

Where in a prince might dwell

Oh why did you abandon it

The reason to me tell

Oh son I loved my native land with energy and pride

Til a blight came on my crops

My sheep my cattle died

My rent and taxes were to high

I could not them redeem

And that's the cruel reason

That I left old skibbereen

Oh well do I remember that bleak december day

The landlord and the sheriff came to drive us all away

They set my roof on fire with their codemon sent spleen

And that's another reason that's I left old skibbereen

Your mother too god rest to soul

Fell on the snowy ground

She fainted her anguish seeing the desolation round

She never rose but passed away from life to mortal dream

And found to quiet grave my boy

In dear old skibbereen

Oh Father dear

The day may come in an answer to the call

Each Irishmen with feeling stern will rally one and all

I'll be the man to lead the van

Beneath our flag of green

When loud and high we'll raise a cry

Remember skibbereen