As I was a-going to Derrydown Fair,
With my fine scarlet coat and everything rare,
Enough to entice all the maidens that day,
When they set their eyes on young Rambleaway.
The very first steps I took into the fair,
I saw pretty Nancy a-combing her hair.
I gave her the wink and she rolled her black eye.
Thinks I to myself, I'll be there by and by.
As I was a-walking that night in the dark,
I took my bright Nancy to be my sweetheart.
She smiled in my face and these words she did say,
Are you the young man they call Rambleaway ?
I said, Pretty Nancy don't smile in my face,
For I do not intend to stay long in this place.
So I gave her three doubles and fair length and share,
I told her I'd ramble I didn't know where.
When twenty four weeks they were over and past,
This fair pretty maiden did sicken at last.
Her gown wouldn't meet nor her apron strings stay,
And all through the love of young Rambleaway.
So come pretty maidens wherever you be,
With courting young fellows don't make yourselves free.
For if you should do so you'll rue the sad day,
When you met with the like of young Rambleaway.