Come all you loyal heroes,
wherever you may be
Don't hire without a master,
till you know what your work will be
For you must rise up early
from the clear daylight till dawn
Or else you won't be able
to plough the rocks of bone
My curse attend you, sweetie,
you have me nearly wrong
You're sitting by the fireside
with your duty near your God
You're sitting by the fireside
From the clear daylight till dawn
I'm afraid you won't be able
To plow the rocks of bone
My shoes, they are well worn now
And my socks are getting thin
And my heart is always trembling
For a fear they might let in
My heart is always trembling
from the clear daylight to dawn
I'm afraid I won't be able
to plough the rocks above
I wish the sergeant major
would write to me in time
And place me in some regiment,
all in my youth and prime
I'd fight for Ireland's glory
From the clear daylight till dawn
And I never would return again
To plough the rocks of old you