Traditional

Oh there was an old Galtee farmer and he had an old Galtee mare
He brought her to Enniscorthy boys to sell her at the fair
Said the son all to the father "I'll do the best I can
The price of her is twenty guineas but look I'll take one pound"

Up comes a Dublin buyer for to bid I am inclined
The price of her is twenty guineas but look I'll give one pound
So quickly then he paid for here before time look around
And he went into a stable and he pulled her in behind
Put a saddle and a bridle and a jockey all on her back
You would swear she was a racer after coming off the track

Says the son all to the father "There's a mare for sale close by
She looks so bright and handsome and enticing to my eye"
She looks so bright and handsome and the jockey turned around
Said the price of her is fifty guineas but look I'll take five pounds

Says the son all to the father now be quick and make up your mind
The price of her is fifty guineas but look he'll take five pounds
So quickly then they paid for her and away from the fair they went
And as they jogged along the road they were both well content

When they came to the little cottage at the bottom of the lane
Who should run to meet them but the little daughter Jane
"Mamma, mamma here comes the lads, but the mare they did not sell
But they've hogged her mane and docked her tail but you'd know her old jog well"
"Oh what did you get that mare clipped for she looks so thin and old
What did you get that mare clipped for she'll surely catch a cold
I'll sit down at the table and I'll let my temper cool
I've been married to you these forty years and you're only a born fool"