aeGa	Oh, father dear, I oft-times hear your speak of Erin's Isle 
aCGa	Her lofty scene and valley green, her mountains rude and wild 
aCGa	They say it is a lovely land wherein a prince might dwell 
aeGa	Oh why did you abandon it the reason to me tell. 

aeGa	My son, I loved our native land with energy and pride 
aCGa	Until a blight came o'er my crops, my sheep and cattle died 
aCGa	The rent and taxes were to high, I could not them redeem 
aeGa	And that is the cruel reason why I left old Skibbereen. 

aeGa	It's well I do remember that bleak December day 
aCGa	The landlord and the sheriff came to drive us all away 
aCGa	They set my roof on fire with their cursed English spleen 
aeGa	And that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen. 

aeGa	Your mother, too, God rest her soul, fell on that snowy ground
aCGa	Her treasured life's possessions, they lay scattered all around
aCGa	She never rose, but passed away to life's immortal dream
aeGa	And that's another reason why I left old Skibbereen

aeGa	Oh you were only two years old and fewer was your frame 
aCGa	I could not leave you with my friends by all yours fathers name 
aCGa	I wrapped you in my coat and the day and the night can seen 
aCGa	And I here decide and I said goodbye to dear old Skibberin 

aeGa	Oh, father dear, the day will come when vengeance loud will call. 
aCGa	All Ireland's sons to freedom's drums will rally one and all 
aCGa	I'll be the man to lead the van beneath our flag of green 
aeGa	And loud and high we'll raise the cry, revenge for Skibbereen