The lyrics are set to the tune of an earlier song titled "Agus fagaimid siúd mar atá sé".
The song appeared in Colm Ó Lochlainn's 1939 publication Irish Street Ballads and has been recorded by a number of notable artists.
I ne'er could forget the good nature of Jane, Agus fágaimíd siúd mar atá sé.
John Damer of Shronell had plenty of gold And Lord Devonshire's treasures are twenty times more.
But sure they're laid on their backs amidst nettles and stones, Agus fágaimíd siúd mar atá sé.
If I chance for to go to the market of Croom, With a cock in my hat and my pipes in full tune, I am welcome at once and brought up to a room, Where Bacchus is sporting with Venus.
There's Peggy and Jane from the town of Bruree, And Biddy from Bruff and we all on the spraoi,[Note 6] Such a combing of locks as there was about me, Agus fágaimíd siúd mar atá sé.