The Kerry Recruit

Lyrics

[Verse 1] One mornin' in March I was diggin' the land With me brogues on me feet and me spade in me hand And says I to myself, such a pity to see Such a fine strappin' lad footin' turf round Tralee [Chorus] Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men Yora men yora men ya [Verse 2] So I buttered me brogues, shook hands with me spade Then went off to the fair like a dashing young blade When up comes a sergeant, he asks me to list 'Arra, sergeant a gra, stick the bob in me fist' [Chorus] Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men Yora men yora men ya [Verse 3] Well the first thing they gave me it was a red coat With a white strap of leather for to tie round me throat They gave me a quare thing; I asked what was that And they told me it was a cockade for me hat [Chorus] Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men Yora men yora men ya [Verse 4] The next thing they gave me they called it a gun With powder and shot and a place for me thumb Well first she spat fire and then she spat smoke She gave a great leap that me shoulder near broke [Chorus] Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men Yora men yora men ya [Verse 5] Well the first place they sent me was down by the quay On board of a warship bound for the Crimea Three sticks in the middle all rolled round with sheets Faith, she walked on the water without any feet [Chorus] Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men Yora men yora men ya [Verse 6] When at Balaclava we landed quite sound Both cold, wet and hungry we lay on the ground Next morning for action the bugle did call And we had a hot breakfast of powder and ball [Chorus] Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men Yora men yora men ya [Verse 7] Well we fought at the Alma, likewise Inkermann And the Russians they whaled us at the Redan In scaling the wall there myself lost me eye And a big Russian bullet she ran away with me thigh [Chorus] Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men Yora men yora men ya [Verse 8] Was there we lay bleeding Stretched on the cold ground Both heads, legs and arms were all scattered around I thought of me mam, and me cleaveens were nigh Sure they'd bury me dacent and raise a loud cry [Chorus] Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men Yora men yora men ya [Verse 9] Well a doctor was called And he soon stanched me blood And they gave me a fine elegant leg made of wood They gave me a medal and ten pence a day Contented with Sheelagh, I'll live on half-pay [Chorus] Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men-ya Wid me toora men Yora men yora men ya