OK, here's what I hear on the recording, which is very close to what's in the book:

THE BOLD RAKE

I am a bold rake, and this nation I travelled all round
In search of a fair one, her equal was never yet found;
She was neat in each limb and her skin was far whiter than snow,
And if I don't gain her, quite crazy to Bedlam I'll go.

One fine summer's morning down to Culgreany chapel I strayed,
It was there I fell a courting this innocent, harmless, young maid;
She was so fair a creature, that I could her senses beguile,
For she took to her bosom saying, "Darling, don't leave me awhile."

Oh, That very first night up to the town of Roscrea we did stray
And the night after that in the sweet town of Thurles we lay;
When her money was gone it was then she began to condole
And I said, "My sweet fair maid, it's better to part and go home."

"O Johnny, if you leave me, that the great God may pity my moan,
How could you deceive me and take me so far from my home
You promised to marry me and never to alter your mind,
That you'd wed lovely Sally and leave other fair maids behind."

"Oh, Indeed if I said it I'm sure it was far from my heart,
To wed lovely Sally and all other maids for to part,
Let this be a lesson to all other girls of your kind,
To beware of a rake or a rambler will leave you behind.

"I'll go home to my clergy and I tell him the bad life I've led,
I'll be hoping for pardon for never with you could I wed,
And if he forgives me I'll lead a correct sober life,
I'll go home to Longacre and live with my own lawful wife."


Transcribed by ear from the Christy Moore box set,1964-2004, disc 6.

I'm not sure I hear everything correctly, especially on the last verse.
-Joe-