(Trad)
You sailors all come lend an ear and listen to my song
It's of a trick was played on me and it won't detain you long
I came home from sea the other day and a girl I chanced to meet
And she's asked me up along with her to dance in Patrick Street
Says I, My pretty fair maid, I cannot dance too well
Besides I'm bound for Newry town where my parents they do dwell
I've been at sea these last few years and I've saved up fifty pounds
And my parents are expecting me tonight in Newry town
Since you cannot dance too well then you can have a treat
You can have a glass of brandy and something nice to eat
At nine o'clock this evening I'll leave you to your train
And don't forget to call on me when you come back again
She seemed to be so friendly I went and hired a car
We both went down to Patrick Street and on arrival there
The people on the other side, I thought I heard them say
He'll sure be in need of a jaunting car before he gets away
We had not been long in the room when whiskey it came in
And when everyone had had their fill the dancing did begin
Me and my love we danced around all to a merry tune
While the other couples did the double shuffle round the room
And when dancing it was over for bed we did prepare
And after that I fell asleep, the truth I will declare
My darling and my fifty pounds, my gold and all had fled
And there was I myself alone, stark naked lying in bed
In gazing all around me nothing could I spy
But a woman's skirt and jumper at the foot of the bed did lie
I wrung my hands and tore my hair crying, O what will I do
O fare thee well, sweet Newry town, I'm sure I'll never see you
And when nighttime it was come again and daylight was away
I put on the skirt and jumper and set off for the quay
And when I went on board the ship all sailors they did say
O Jack has grown much prettier since last she went away
Is this the new spring fashion that you went to buy on shore
And where's the shop that sells them, do you think they may have more
The Captain says, Now Jack, I thought you were for Newry town
You might have bought a better suit than that for fifty pounds
I might have bought a better suit if I had had the chance
I met a girl in High Street, she's asked me to a dance
I danced my own destruction and I've done it so complete
That I vow I'll never go back again and dance in Patrick Street
Come all of you young sailor boys, a warning take by me
And always keep good company when you go on a spree
Be sure to stay clear of Patrick Street or else you'll rue the day
In a woman's skirt and jumper they will ship you back to sea
(as sung by Andy Irvine & Patrick Street)