X:2241 T:Skibbereen R:song Z:id:hn-song-69 M:3/4 L:1/8 Q:1/4=140 K:Bdor F2 | E4D2 | E4F2 | B4A2 | F4F2 | E4D2 | B,4A,2 | B,6- | B,4 A2 | B4c2 | d4c2 | (B3A)F2 | A3(Bc2) | B3(AF2) | D4E2 | F6- | F4 A2 | B4c2 | d4c2 | B3AF2 | A3(Bc2) | B3(AF2) | D4E2 | F6- | F4 F2 | E4D2 | E4F2 | B4A2 | F4F2 | E4D2 | B,4A,2 | B,6- | B,4 || W:Oh father dear, I often hear you speak of Erin's isle W:Her lofty scenes, her valleys green, her mountains rude and wild W:They say it is a lovely land wherein a prince might dwell W:So why did you abandon it, the reason to me tell. W: W:My son, I loved my native land with energy and pride W:'Till a blight came over all my crops, and my sheep and cattle died W:The rents and taxes were to pay, I could not them redeem W:And that's the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen. W: W:It's well I do remember that bleak November day W:When the landlord and his agent came to drive us all away W:They set the roof on fire with their cursed English spleen W:And that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen. W: W:Your mother too, God rest her soul, fell on the stony ground W:She fainted in her anguish, seeing the desolation 'round W:She never rose but passed away from life to immortal dream W:She found a quiet grave, me boy, in dear old Skibbereen. W: W:And you were only two years old and feeble was your frame W:I could not leave you with my friends, for you bore your father's name W:I wrapped you in my c\'ota m\'or in the dead of night unseen W:I heaved a sigh and bade goodbye to dear old Skibbereen. W: W:Oh father dear, the day will come when in answer to the call W:All Irish men of freedom stern will rally one and all W:I'll be the man to lead the band beneath the flag of green W:And loud and high we'll raise the cry: Revenge for Skibbereen!