[Verse 1]
When I was 23, boozing-oh, boozing-oh
When I was 23, left my home
When I was 23, said "Father give to me
My share of what you’re worth", I will roam, I will roam
I kissed my mother’s face and I left home

[Verse 2]
I wandered far from there, gave my love, gave my love
I wandered far from there, gave my love
She wore a pretty gown, and she let her tresses down
And the boys would gather round her, O my love, O my love
The boys would gather round her, my love

[Verse 3]
Oh but she cared not for me, O my soul, O my soul
No, she cared not for me, O my soul
As I lay fast asleep, she took her leave of me
And left me not a thing, O my soul, O my soul
And left me not a thing, O my soul

[Verse 4]
As I was sinking down, weary boned, O my soul
As I was sinking down, I missed my home

[Verse 5]
I set off down the road, for to take a servant’s load
Back to my father’s home I would go, I would go
O never more to roam, O my soul