[Verse 1]
One fine summer’s mornin' both gallant and gay
Twenty-four ladies went down on the quay
And a regiment of soldiers did soon pass 'em by
A drummer and one of them soon caught his eye

[Verse 2]
He went to his comrades and to them did say
"Twenty-four ladies I saw yesterday
Oh, and one of those ladies she has me heart won
And if she denies me I’m surely undone."

[Verse 3]
Go off to this woman and tell her your plight
Go and tell her she's wounded your poor hеart inside
Go and Tell her shе's wounded your poor heart full sore
And if she denies you what can you do more

[Verse 4]
So, early next morning this young man arose
And he dressed himself up in a fine suit of clothes
With a watch in his pocket and a cane in his hand
He saluted those ladies as he walked down the strand

[Verse 5]
Well, he walked up to her and he says, "Pardon me
Pardon me lady for making so free
Me fine honoured lady, you have my heart won
And if you deny me, I’m surely undone."
[Verse 6]
Go off little drummer now what do you mean
For I'm the lord’s daughter of Ballykisteen
I’m the lords daughter of honour you see
Go little drummer your making too free

[Verse 7]
So, he put on his hat and he bade her farewell
Saying, "I’ll send my soul down to heaven or hell
For with this long pistol that hangs by me side
I’ll put an end to me own dreary life."

[Verse 8]
Come back little drummer now what do you mean
For I do not want to be guilty of sin
To be guilty of innocent blood for to spill
Come back little drummer I’m here at your will

[Verse 9]
Oh, and we’ll hire a car down to Bansha we’ll go
There we’ll be married in spite of our foes
For what can you say when it’s over and done
That I fell in love with the roll of your drum