Jack the jolly ploughboy

M. Carmichael

As Jack the jolly ploughboy was ploughing through his land,

He turned his share and shouted to bid his horses stand,

Then down beside his team he sat, contented as a king,

And Jack he sang his song so sweet he made the mountains ring

With his Ta-ran-nan nanty na,

Sing ta-ran-nan nanty na,

While the mountains all ringing re-echoed the singing

Of Taran-nan nanty na.

'Tis said old England's sailors, when wintry tempests roar,

Will plough the stormy waters, and pray for those on shore;

But through the angry winter the share, the share for me,

To drive a steady furrow, and pray for those at sea.

With his Ta-ran-nan nanty na, etc.

When heaven above is bluest, and earth most green below,

Away from wife and sweetheart the fisherman must go;

But golden seed I'll scatter beside the girl I love,

And smile to hear the cuckoo, and sigh to hear the dove,

With his Ta-ran-nan nanty na, etc.

'Tis oft the hardy fishers a scanty harvest earn,

And gallant tars from glory on wooden legs return,

But a bursting crop for ever shall dance before my flail;

For I'll live and die a farmer all in the Golden Vale.

With his Ta-ran-nan nanty na, etc.