As I rov’d thro’ the town to view the pretty lasses,
The old maids with a frown, peeped at me thro’ their glasses,
To Cove we will go down to view the lasses pretty
And the sailor men also which sets forth all its beauty.

CHORUS
Ri-too-ral-oo-ral-ah, Ri-too-ral-oo-ral-ad-dy,
Ri-too-ral-oo-ral-ah, Ri-too-ral-oo-ral-ad-dy.

There’s Captain Burke of Grove, a very famous name, sirs,
He keeps the buck and doe, ad hunts the sporting games, sirs,
He winds the whip and spur, and makes the hunters rattle,
And when that home he comes he’ll surely crack a bottle.

John Blake for to promote, he plays some tunes so merry;
He gave some charming notes to banish melancholy,
He’ll then blow up the pipes to play the tune “Brave Larry”,
You’d laugh until you die to hear “Sweet Paddy Carey”.

He’d play the Prussian Wars, the falls of the Boyne Water,
Jeannette and Jeannot and the March of Alexander,
The blooming White Cockade, the Old Brigade is coming,
O’Connell’s in for Clare, and All the bells were ringing.

He played the Colleen Bawn, the banks of Kitty’s Cottage,
The affermonious jig, called – My mother’s mess of pottage.
The Wexford Rakes in style, and Trip the world before him,
The Sailor’s Hornpipe, and Garryowen and Glory.

He played Kitty from Athlone, with Moreen móra Glanna,
Noreen on the road, and the flashy rakes of Mallow.
Aughrim’s overthrow, and the fall of Carrig Castle,
Brave Sarsfield took command at many a famous battle.

He played the Chorus jig, the ancient Ladies’ Fancy,
Jack and the Jug of Punch, and the Bonnie highland laddie
The Ale-house in great flee, with the Glass of brandy,
The Roving sporting wheel – My love he is a dandy.

Nora Creena, he can play with all the variations,
The Rambler from Tralee, the De’il among the Tailors.
The Job of journey work, and the Boy she left behind her,
The song of Paddy Whack, and Tally-hi-ho the grinder.

He played up Bob and Joan, with Ju Ju Joice the joker,
The famous jig Tow-row, that was kept for Captain Croker.
The Ball of Ballinafad, and the Banks of Bannow
Plunkett’s Moll in the wad, and Shawn O’Dee a’ Glana.

He played of Bonaparte who crossed the Alps in winter,
The Union hornpipe, and the Killinick fox hunters,
The song of Patrick’s Day, and the jig of Paddy Carroll
And each boy will Kiss the Maid behind the whiskey barrell.

So now I’ll sing no more, because my song is ended
If I said anything wrong I hope you’re not offended
Of hornpipes, jigs and reels, I’m sure I told you many,
Get up and shake your heels, ’tis better sport than any.