Boys of Killybegs - The Irish Rovers

There are wild and rocky hills on the coast of Donegal

And her fishermen are hardy, brave and free

And the big Atlantic swell is a thing they know right well

As they fight to take a living from the sea

With a pleasant rolling sea and the herring running free

And the fleet all riding gently through the foam

When the boats are loaded down, there’ll be singing in the town

When the boys of Killybegs come rolling home

Well, you don your rubber boots and you’ve got your oilskins on

And you check your gear to see that it’s okay

And your jumper keep you warm, for it’s cold before the dawn

Then you’re ready to begin another day

Now, you’re headed out to sea and the wind is blowing free

And you cast your nets as rain begins to fall

But, the sun comes riding high and the clouds will soon roll by

And today you’ll maybe take a bumper haul

When the weather’s blowing rough, then the work is very tough

And the ropes will raise the welts upon your hands

But you’ll never leave the sea, for whoever you may be

When it’s in your blood, it’s hard to live on land

Oh, there’s purple on the hills and there’s green down by the shore

And the sun has spilled his gold upon the sea

And there’s silver down below, where the herring fishes go

When we catch them, we’ll have gold for you and me