Digital Tradition Mirror

The Irish Mail Robber

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Irish Mail Robber

 It's adieu to old Ireland, the place where I was born,
     Near the county of Limerick, near the state of Glengall;
     Far away to some island, bound down like a slave,
    It was in my own country I did misbehave.

 It was my old father who did caution me,
    To leave off night walking, shun bad company;
 Saying, "Son, you are young and they'll lead you astray,
    You will think of these words when I'm cold in the clay."

 But to all his good advices I never gave care,
    And still I went on with my wicked career;
'Twas drinking and gambling by night and by day
    To maintain those rude "wimming"* and dress them up gay.

 I had not been long in this wicked career
    Before I was taken by the laws of the land;
 Was tried and found guilty of a mail robbery,
    And for ages transported across the salt sea.

'Tis now I'm safe landed on my own native shore,
    And looking around me I can see my cell door;
    And looking around me I can see my cell door,
    Which causes me to think of my mother once more.

Oft times I have wondered why "wimming"* love men
    More times I have wondered why men should love them;
    They lead you to ruin and cause your downfall
    They'll cause you to sleep behind cold prison walls.


* Women.
From New Green Mountain Songster,
DT #424
Laws L15
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!