Oh father dear, I oft-times hear you speak of Erin's isle
Her lofty scenes and valleys green, her mountains rude and wild
They say it is a pretty place wherein a prince might dwell
Then why did you abandon it, the reason to me tell

Oh son, I loved our native land with energy and pride
Until a blight came on my land, my sheep and cattle died
The rent and taxes were to pay, I could not them redeem
And that's the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen

It's well I do remember that bleak December day
The landlord and the sheriff came to drive us all away
They set my roof on fire with their demon English spleen
And that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen

Your mother too, God rest her soul, lay on the snowy ground
She fainted o'er in anguish seeing desolation round
She never rose, but passed away from life to immortal dream
And found a quiet grave, my boy, in dear old Skibbereen

And you were only two years old and feeble was your frame
I could not leave you with my friends, you bore your father's name
I wrapped you in my cóta mór at the dark of night unseen
I heaved a sigh and bid goodbye to dear old Skibbereen

It's well I do remember the year of forty eight
When I arose with Erin's boys to battle against the fate
I was hunted thro' the mountains like a traitor to the Queen
And that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen

O father dear, the day will come when vengeance loud will call
And we will rise with Erin's boys to rally one and all
I'll be the man to lead the van beneath our flag of green
And loud and high will raise the cry 'Revenge for Skibbereen'

And loud and high will raise the cry 'Revenge for Skibbereen'