Some years ago at (I think) Bedford (England) Folk Music Club, the question arose of why Jenny spiked his guns and/or shopped him. I went home and thought about it, and I present the result below.

When I was with that Kevin, the one from Killarney,
He was always showing off, he'd a smashing line in Blarney.
Once he pinched a pair of pistols when he'd had a drop of beer,
Then he said, "Here Jenny, I've just had a great idea!"
        Musha … (etc)

Next morning he rose early, despite a bad hangover
From a record-breaking pub-crawl with this best mate, the Wild Rover,
You'd think this was a hotel – when he felt like it he'd drop in:
And who had to do the washing and the cleaning and the shopping?

When he came home later on, well his dinner was stone-cold,
But he emptied out his pockets and produced a pile of gold.
He said "Who's a clever boy then, me darlin' sportin' Jenny?"
Thinks I, you'll piss it up the wall and I won't see a penny!

That night I took his pistols and I filled them up with water,
'Cos I knew he'd be arrested, and I didn't want no slaughter;
When they picked him up next morning, he was hardly compliment'ry!
But I heard he got away when he knocked down a sentry.

He went and joined his brother, the one that's in the army,
Now they ride the range together – well, the pair of them are barmy!
I suppose I'm well rid – after all, he was a mugger;
But still, I must admit, that I miss the silly bugger.

(C) Steve Parkes