The Kerry Recruit
TradOne morning in March I was digging the land
with me brogues on me feet and me spade in me hand
And says I to myself, such a pity to see
such a fine strappin’ lad footin’ turf round Tralee
Wid me too ra na nya and me too ra na nya
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya
So I buttered me brogues, shook hands with me spade
then went off to the fair like a dashing young blade
When up comes a sergeant he asks me to list
‘Arra, sergeant a gra, stick a bob in me fist
Wid me too ra na nya and me too ra na nya
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya
Well the first thing they gave me it was a red coat
with a wide strap of leather to tie round me throat
They gave me a quare thing – I asked what was that
and they told me it was a cockade for me hat
Wid me too ra na nya and me too ra na nya
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya
The next thing they gave me they called it a gun
with powder and shot and a place for me thumb
Well first she spat fire and then she spat smoke
she gave a great leap and me shoulder near broke
Wid me too ra na nya and me too ra na nya
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya
Well the first place they sent me was down by the quay
on board of a warship bound for the Crimea
Three sticks in the middle all rowled round with sheets
faith, she walked on the water without any feet
Wid me too ra na nya and me too ra na nya
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya
When at Balaclava we landed quite soon
both cold, wet and hungry we lay on the ground
Next morning for action the bugle did call
and we had a hot breakfast of powder and ball
Wid me too ra na nya and me too ra na nya
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya
Well we fought at the Alma, likewise Inkermann
and the Russians they whaled us at the Redan
In scalin’ the walls there meself lost an eye
and a big Russian bullet ran off with me thigh
Wid me too ra na nya and me too ra na nya
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya
‘Twas there we lay bleeding stretched on the cold ground
both heads, legs and arms were all scattered around
I thought of me mam and me cleaveens were nigh
sure they’d bury me decent and raise a loud cry
Wid me too ra na nya and me too ra na nya
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya
Well a doctor was called and he soon staunched me blood
and he gave me a fine elegant leg made of wood
They gave me a medal and ten pence a day
contented with Sheelagh, I’ll live on half pay
Wid me too ra na nya and me too ra na nya
Wid me too ra na noo ra na noo ra na nya