Croppy Boy Lyrics

It was early, early all in the Spring
When the birds did whistle and sweetly sing,
Changing their notes all from tree to tree
And the song they sang was: Old Ireland free!

Oh as I went walkin' up Wexford street
Oh me own first cousin I changed to meet
Well me own first cousin did me betray
And for one bare guinnea sold me life away

It was early early all in the night,
When the yeoman cavalry gave me a fright;
Well the yeoman cavalry was my downfall,
And taken was I by Lord Cornwall.

And as I went walking up Wexford Hill,
Now who could blame me to cry me fill?
I looked behind, and I looked before,
And my aged mother I'll see no more

And when I stood on the scaffold high
My own dear father was standing by
Well me own dear father did me deny
And the name he gave me was the croppy boy

In Dungannon town now this boy died
In Dungannon town does his body lie
So all you strangers that do pass by
Go shed a tear for the croppy boy