PADDY AT THE THEATER
(SONGS AND BALLADS OF IRELAND - p48)

From the County Monaghan lately I came,
I'm a tinker by trade, Larry Dooly's my name;
My cousin, Tim Murphy, I met yesterday,
Says he, Mr. Dooly'll come to the play!
Derry down, down, down, derry down.

Is it the play that you mean, are you sure that you're right?
They're treating the town to Pizzaro to-night;
But the treat, as he called it, and the one that I mean,
Bad luck to his treat, it cost me all my tin.
Derry down, down, down, derry down.

Well, the green curtain drew up, and a lady I spied,
When a man came to kiss her she scornfully cried:
Get out, you big blackguard, I'll bother your jig!
When in comes Pizzaro with a grunt like a pig
Derry down, down, down, derry down.

In the days of ould Goury, a long time ago,
The Spaniards claimed war 'gainst Peru , you know,
The demanded its cash, its jewels and keys,
When a boy, they called Rowler, says: no, if you please.
Derry down, down, down, derry down.

The Rowler came in like a day-star appeared,
He made a long speech and the sojers all cheered
Says he, Beat well the Spaniards, and do the neat thing,
And then , boys, stand up for your country and king.
Derry down, down, down, derry down.

The Mr. Murphy Alonzo somehow went to jail,
He got out by a back door without giving bail;
While Rowler was jumping o'er brides and greens,
He was shot by some blackguard behind the big screens.
Derry down, down, down, derry down.

Then Rowler came forward, and with him a child,
Looking all for the world like a man that was wild;
Here's your gossoon, dear Cora, it's my own blood that's spilt
In defense of your child, blood an' 'ounds, I'm kilt!
Derry down, down, down, derry down.

The Alonzo and Pizzaro had a terrible fight
Pizzaro got killed, that seemed perfectly right;
For the audience came down with showers of applause,
They were all enlisted in the Peruvian's cause.
Derry down, down, down, derry down.

Then Alonzo came forward and handsomely bowed,
Saying: Ladies and gentlemen, meaning the crowd,
By your kind permission, to-morrow, then,
We will murder Pizzaro over again.
Derry down, down, down, derry down.