[Verse 1]
I saddled my horse and I galloped away
Till I came to an ale house in town
I called for some ale at the end of the day
And here by the fire sat down

[Chorus]
I had in my pocket a penny
And a penny was all that I had
I called for some ale at the end of the day
But a penny was all that I had

[Verse 2]
Oh, I saw there two gentlemen playing at dice
They took me for a soldier bold
With my swagger and rapier and countenance nice
Thought my pockets were lined with gold

[Chorus]
And I had in my pocket a penny
And a penny was all that I had
With my swagger and rapier and countenance nice
A penny was all that I had

[Verse 3]
"Oh soldier, dear sir," they said, "Do you play?"
"What stakes do you lay down?"
One said, "A guinea we're meaning to play"
I said, "Let's lay down five pound"
[Chorus]
I had in my pocket a penny
And a penny was all that I had
One said, "A guinea we're meaning to play"
But a penny was all that I had

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 4]
I took up the dice and I threw them the main
The night was free from curse
And the heavens I thanked for I managed to gain
For I threw down a moneyless purse

[Chorus]
And I had in my pocket a penny
And a penny was all that I had
And the heavens I thanked for I managed to gain
A penny was all that I had

[Verse 5]
Oh, was ever a mortal as quarter as glad?
Courage galore in my spine
With the littlest money that first I had
I pray you to pour out the wine
[Chorus]
And I had in my pocket a penny
And a penny was all that I had
With the littlest money that first I had
A penny was all that I had
And I had in my pocket a penny
And a penny was all that I had
With the littlest money that first I had
A penny was all that I had