I'm very surprised not to find lyrics for the Limerick Rake at Mudcat, though there are several other songs set to that tune available in the forum and the DT.

The lyrics are available several places on the web (though not with Brendy's line about the garters); see for instance the Prof's pages even if he does write "Limmerick" with an extra m. For guitar accompaniment, see also Haus de Internationalen Folklore

According to web sources, recordings include Tim Lyons, Patrick Galvin, Mick Maloney, Christy Moore (North & South), the Pogues, Ronnie Drew (The humour is on me now).

tune in songwrite format. At a French site it says the tune is called "An Caitín Bán"; I have that song in a book at home, so I'll have a look later. The source of this information appears to be Folksongs and ballads popular in Ireland (volume 2), Ossian Publications, 1979.

According to Vince Hearns , the music for this song found in both Petrie's Complete Collection and Joyce's "Irish Music and Song" under the title Fágamid siúd mar atá sé

Here is a set of lyrics for a mostly Irish-language version:

As published in Diarmaid Ó Muirithe, "An t-Amhrán Macarónach". Baile Átha Cliath (Dublin): An Clóchomhar Teo., 1980. Source:An Claisceadal IX, 9.

FÁGAIMID SIÚD MAR ATÁ SÉ

Is dóigh le gach brídeach tráth bhímse gan chéill
Nuair bhímse ag súgradh is ag radaireacht léi,
Is dóigh léi mé phósadh gan feoirling sa tsaol
Ach fágaimid siúd mar atá sé!

Tá cailín in Inis is cailín i gClár,
Agus cailín beag eile i mBaile na gCárr,
Ach i Baile na Caillí tá an cailín is fearr –
Ach fágaimid siúd mar atá sé!

I gCoradh na Finne tá an cailín deas fionn
Go bhfuil rince ina cosa agus reaic ar a ceann,
Siúd í mo bhean-sa dá siúlóinn an domhan,
Ach fágaimid siúd mar atá sé!

When I go to Rathkeal and I stand in the square
The girls all around me do gather and stare,
To some I give apples and others sweet cakes,
And I court them unknown to their parents.

Tá cailín in Eochaill is is eolach dom í,
Tá sí gan pósadh agus pósfadhsa í,
Tá coróin gheal im' phóca agus ólfaimid í,
Ach fágaimid siúd mar atá sé!

There's one from Askeaton and one from the Pike
Another from Ardagh, she's my heart's delight,
Though being from the mountains her stockings are white,
Ach fágaimid siúd mar atá sé!

The verses in Irish are in a similar vein, speaking of all the lovely colleens (cailín) in various towns.

QUESTION: Can anyone help establish dates for different versions of this song? For instance when was: An Claisceadal IX, 9 published, what source and date did Colm O'Loughlin have for The Limerick Rake, and what other early sources are there for this song in English or in Irish?