[Verse 1]
Easter day was a holiday
Of all days in the year
And all the little schoolfellows went out to play
But Sir William was not there

[Verse 2]
Mamma went to the school wife house
And knocked at the ring
Saying, "Little Sir William, if you are there
Pray let your mother in"

[Verse 3]
The school wife opened the door and said
"He is not here today
He is with the little schoolfellows out on the green
Playing some pretty play"

[Verse 4]
Mamma went to the Boyne water
That is so wide and deep
Saying, "Little Sir William, if you are there
Oh, pity your mother's weep"

[Verse 5]
"How can I pity your weep, mother
And I so long in pain?
For the little pen knife sticks close to my heart
And the school wife hath me slain
[Verse 6]
"Go home, go home, my mother dear
And prepare my winding sheet
For tomorrow morning before 8 o'clock
You with my body shall meet

[Verse 7]
"And lay my prayer book at my head
And my grammar at my feet
That all the little schoolfellows as they pass by
May read them for my sake"