Peter Street

Oh ye landsmen and ye seamen, come listen to my song,
It’s of a trick was played on me, it won’t delay you long.
I came from sea the other day, a fair girl I did meet,
She kindly asked me to a dance, was up on Peter Street.

Oh no says I, me fair maid, though I can dance quite well,
Tonight I’m bound for Wicklow’s town that’s where my people dwell.
You’d better come with me, she said, for the distance is not far,
And finding her so friendly, I jumped into her car.

Now as the dance was over, straight to the bed did go,
‘twas little did I ever think, she’d pull my overthrow.
Robbed my gold watch, and thirty pounds, a pack of fags and fled,
And left me there stark naked alone upon the bed.

Now when I awoke in the morning, It was nothing did I spy,
but a woman’s shirt and apron upon the bed did lie.
I wrung my hands, I tore my hair, I cried, What shall I do?
Ah tonight I’m bound for Wicklow’s town, no more will I see you.

Now as the streets were lonesome, at the hour of twoo’clock,
I put on the shirt and apron and marched down to the dock.
The crew they saw me coming and these words to me did say,
My dear old chap, you’ve struck a snap since you’ve been gone away.

Are those the new spring fashions that the ladies wear on shore?
Where is the shop you bought them at and is there any more?
The captain on the quarterdeck looked at me with a frown,
Sayin: Jack My Boy, A better suit than that for thirty pounds.

I would sir, if I could sir, if I’d only got the chance,
But I met a girl on Peter Street and she asked me to a dance.
She danced my hearts deception, I got robbed from head to feet,
And I’ll take my oath, no more I’ll go to a dance on Peter Street.

Oh, Ye landsmen and ye seamen, a warning take by me,
Be sure to choose good company when you go out on spree.
Be sure to choose good company or you’ll find yourself like me,
With a woman’s shirt and apron for to fit you out for sea!