The Dubliners - Home Boys Home lyrics

Oh well, who wouldn't be a sailor lad
A 'sailin' on the main
To gain the goodwill of
His captain's good name
He came ashore one evening for to be
And that was the beginning of me
Own true love and me

And it's home, boys home
Home I'd like to be
Home for a while in my own country
Where the oak and the ash
And the bonny rowan tree
Are all a-growing green in the north country

Well I asked her for a candle for
To light me up to bed
And likewise for a handkerchief to
Tie around me head
She tended to me needs like a
Young maid ought to do
So then I says to her: 'Now won't
You leap in with me too?'

Well she jumped into bed, making no alarm
Thinking a young sailor lad could
Do to her no harm well I hugged her and I
Kissed her the whole nightlong
Till she wished the short night
Had been seven years long

Well early next morning the sailor lad arose
And into Mary's apron threw a handful of gold
Saying, 'Take this me dear for
The mischief that I've done
For tonight I fear I've left you
With a daughter or a son'

'Well, if it be a girl child
Send her out to nurse
With gold in her pocket and
With silver in her purse
And if it be a boy child
He'll wear the jacket blue
And go climbing up the rigging like
His daddy used to do

Oh come all of you fair maidens
A warning take by me
And never let a sailor lad
An inch above your knee
For I trusted one and he beguiled me
He left me with a pair of
Twins to dangle on me knee