Spanish Lady, The

As I was a-walking through Dublin City, now,
In the dark hour late at night
Who should I see but a fair pretty maiden,
Washing her feet by candlelight
First she washed them and then she dried them,
Over her shoulder she pegged the towel
In all my life I never did meet a maid so neat about the sole

And as I came back through Dublin City
As the break of day was o'er
Who should I see but the Spanish Lady
When I was weary and footsore
She had a heart so full of loving
And her love she longed to share
In all me life I never did meet
A maid that had so much to share

I've wandered North and I've wandered South now
From Stoneybatter to Patrick's Close
Up and around by the Gloucester Diamond
Back by Napper Tandy's house
Old age has laid her hands upon me
Cold as a fire of ashy coals
And gone is the lovely Spanish Lady
Neat and sweet about the soles

Round and around goes the wheel of fortune
Where it rests now wearies me
Fair young women are so deceiving
Sad experience teaches me
She had twenty eighteen sixteen fourteen
Twelve ten eight six four two none
She had nineteen seventeen fifteen thirteen
Eleven nine seven five three and one!

Mind you, Frank often treats it as 4-line verses and scatters the counting chorus around like snuff at a wake!

Regards