I learned these words from a book called "50 great Irish songs" or something of that ilk, back when I was first learning Irish songs, many years ago. Unfortunately, I still seem to know them. Here they are:

Oh, an Irisher washwoman hasn't an equal,
She rubs better, scrubs better than other people,
She sings a bit, jigs a bit all the day long,
And her heart's like a shamrock, it sings a great song.

Oh, the neighbors all listen to Mrs. McCleary,
And swear that a washwoman's life is not dreary,
She wiggles and jiggles an eyeful of Ireland,
The pride of the Irish, the washwoman queen.


I have no idea where these words came from but I'll see if I can find the book tonight and see if it says anything about origins.

David