The Kerry Recruit (Live in The Concert Hall, Cecil Sharp House 12/4/1964)

The Kerry Recruit - The Dubliners

Written by：Traditional/Ciaron Bourke/Ronnie Drew/Bobby Lynch/Barney McKenna/John Sheahan

One morning in march I was digging the land

With me brogues on me feet and me spade in me hand

And says I to myself such a pity to see

Such a fine strapping lad footing turf round tralee

Wid me toora na nye

And me toora na nye

Wid me toora na noo ra na

Noo ra na nya

So I buttered me brogues shook hands with me spade

Then I went to the fair like a dashing young blade

When up comes a sergeant he asks me to list

Arra sergeant a gra stick the bob in me fist

Wid me toora na nye

And me toora na nye

Wid me toora na noo ra na

Noo ra na nya

And the first thing they gave me it was a red coat

With a white strap of leather to tie round me throat

They gave me a quare thing I asked what was that

And they told me it was a cockade for me hat

Wid me toora na nye

And me toora na nye

Wid me toora na noo ra na

Noo ra na nya

The next thing they gave me they called it a gun

With powder and shot and a place for me thumb

Well first it spat fire and then it spat smoke

Lord she gave a great leap that me shoulder near broke

Wid me toora na nye

And me toora na nye

Wid me toora na noo ra na

Noo ra na nya

Well the first place they sent me was down by the quay

On board of a warship bound for the crimea

Three sticks in the middle all rolled round with sheets

Faith she walked on the water without any feet

Wid me toora na nye

And me toora na nye

Wid me toora na noo ra na

Noo ra na nya

When at balaclava we landed quite soon

Both cold wet and hungry we lay on the ground

Next morning for action the bugle did call

And we had a hot breakfast of powder and ball

Wid me toora na nye

And me toora na nye

Wid me toora na noo ra na

Noo ra na nya

Well we fought at the alma likewise inkermann

And the russians they whaled us at the redan

In scaling the wall there myself lost me eye

And a big russian bullet she ran away with me thigh

Wid me toora na nye

And me toora na nye

Wid me toora na noo ra na

Noo ra na nya

Was there we lay bleeding

Stretched on the cold ground

Both heads legs and arms were all scattered around

I thought of me mum and me cleavage were nigh

Sure they'd bury me decent and raise a loud cry

Wid me toora na nye

And me toora na nye

Wid me toora na noo ra na

Noo ra na nya

Well a doctor was called

And he soon stanched me blood

And he gave me a fine elegant leg made of wood

They gave me a medal and ten pence a day

Contented with sheelagh I'll live on half pay

Wid me toora na nye

And me toora na nye

Wid me toora na noo ra na

Noo ra na nya