#columns(2, gutter: 11pt)[

  About four years ago I was digging the land \
  With me brogues on me feet and me spade in me hand \
  Says I to me self, what a pity to see, \
  Such a fine strapping lad footing turf round Tralee \

  _[Chorus] \
Wid me too ra na nya with me too ra na nya, \
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya_

  Well I buttered me brogues, an shook hands with me spade, \
  An the way down the road like a dashing young blade \
  When up comes a sergeant an he asks me to list, \
  'Arra, sergeant a gra, stick a bob in me fist' \

  _[Chorus]_

  Well here is a shilling as I got no more \
  When you get to headquarters you'll get half a score \
  And a quick strucking mean said the sergeant good bye \
  You'd not wish to be quarted neither would die \

  _[Chorus]_

  Now the first thing they gave me it was a red coat, \
  With a wide strap of leather to tie round me throat \
  And the next thing they gave me I asked what was that, \
  And they told me it was a cockade for me hat \

  _[Chorus]_

  An' the next thing they gave me they called it a gun \
  With powder an ball an' a place for me thumb \
  Well first she spat fire and then she spewed smoke, \
  She gave a great leap and me shoulder near broke \

  _[Chorus]_

  Well the first place they sent me was down to the sea, \
  On the board of a warship bound for the Crimea \
  Three sticks in the middle all rowled round with sheets, \
  Lord, she walked on the water without any feet \

  _[Chorus]_

  When at Balaclava we landed quite sound, \
  Cold, wet and hungry we lay on the ground \
  Next morning for action the bugle did call, \
  And we had a hot breakfast of powder and ball \

  _[Chorus]_

  Well we fought at the Alma, likewise Inkermann, \
  But the Russians they whaled us at the Redan \
  In scalin' the walls there meself lost an eye, \
  And a big Russian bullet ran off with me thigh \

  _[Chorus]_

  Well 'tis off there we lay stretched upon the cold ground, \
  'Twas heads, legs and arms were all scattered around \
  Says I, If me mam and me claveens were nigh, \
  So they'd bury me decent and gave a loud cry \

  _[Chorus]_

  Well they brought me a doctor and he soon staunched wi' blood, \
  And he made me a great elegant leg made of wood \
  They gave me a medal and ten pence a day, \
  So contented with Sheila, I'll live on half pay \

  _[Chorus]_

]