Was early, early all in the spring
When the birds did whistle and sweetly sing,
Changing their notes for from tree to tree
And the song they sang was Old Ireland Free.
O as I went walking up Wexford Street
O me own first cousin I chanced to meet.
Well me own first cousin did me betray
And for one bare guinea sold me life away.
O 'twas early early all in the night,
When the yeoman cavalry gave me a fright;
Well the yeoman cavalry were my downfall
And taken was I by Lord Cornwall.
As I was walking up Wexford Hill
Now who could blame me to cry my fill?
I looked behind and I looked before,
And my aged mother I'll see no more.
And when I stood on the scaffold high,
My own dear father was standing by.
Well me own dear father did me deny,
And the name he gave me was the Croppy Boy.
In Duncannon town now this boy died.
In Duncannon town does his body lie.
So all you strangers that do pass by
Just go shed a tear for the Croppy Boy.