Brady of Strabane

I welcome with me Johnny
And you’re with a decent man.
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.
Well as I went in to a hiring faire in a place the called the Strand
Twas there I hired for seven long years with Brady of Strabane.
And before I signed to work for him he was very nice to me.
He promised me eggs and bacon and he then shook hands with me.
I welcome with me Johnny
And you’re with a decent man
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane
But I went up to me bed that night to let an awful bawl
For the fleas they made a fierce attack and I got no sleep at all.
When I come down for me breakfast, well what do you think I see?
But a dozen squabbling children saying, «Is there anything there for me?»
I welcome with me Johnny
And you’re with a decent man.
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.
Each morning I arose from work at the dawning of the day.
I tend to his cows and horses and feed them oats and hay.
Then off to plough the pastures and plant the spuds and corn.
Each night before I went to sleep I wish I ne’er been born.
I welcome with me Johnny
And you’re with a decent man.
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.
I worked on Brady’s farm 'till I looked an awful sight
Me bones were pushin' through me skin. I worked from mornin' 'till night
And when I died and passed away old Brady gave a grin.
Said, «He'll make good fertilizer, and there’s plenty more like him.»
I welcome with me Johnny
And you’re with a decent man.
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.
I welcome with me Johnny
And you’re with a decent man.
Twas little I knew what I had to do
for Brady of Strabane.