In the sweet County Limerick one cold winters night
When the turf fires were burning I first saw the light
And the drunken old midwife went tipsy with joy
As she waltzed round the floor with her broth of a boy

When I was a gossoon of eight years or so
With my turf and my primer to school I did go
To a dirty old schoolhouse without any door
Where lay the school master blind drunk on the floor

Now I never was much for the learning I'm thinking
But I soon beat the master entirely at drinking
Not a wake nor a wedding for five miles around
But myself in the corner was sure to be found

Then one Sunday the priest read me out from the altar
Saying I'd end up my days with my neck in a halter
Then I'd dance a fine jig betwixt heaven and hell
And his words they did fright me the truth for to tell

So the very next morning as dawn it did break
I went down to the vestry the pledge for to take
And there in that room sat the priests in a bunch
Round a big roaring fire drinking tumblers of punch

So from that day to this I have wandered alone
I'm the jack of all trades and the master of none
With the sky for my roof and the earth for my floor
And I'll dance out my days drinking whiskey galore

Chorus as posted by An Buachaill Caol Dubh - culled from the singing of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem WAY back then !