Em D Em G D
A bunch of Peelers went one night on duty and patrolin’-O,
Em D Em G D Em
And they met a goat upon the road, and took her for bein’ a strolling-O.
G D
And with bayonets fixed they sallied forth,
G D
And caught them by the wizzen-O,
Em D Em G D Em
And then they swore a mighty oath, “They’d send her off to prison-O.”
[Chorus]
Em
Hey, two, three, four (shouted)
Em D Em G D
Hey heggle de digg let go of me leg Or I’ll poke ya with me hordin’-O
Em D Em
Hey diddle lee dee let go of me
G D Em
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn an’ all.
[Verse 2]
Em D Em G D
“Oh, mercy, sir!” the goat complained, “Come let me tell me story-O!
Em D Em G D Em
I am no rogue, no Ribbonman, no Croppy, Whig, or Tory-O;
G D G D
And I’m guilty not of any crime of petty high treason-O,
Em D Em G D Em
Me tribe is wanted at this time, for this is ruttin’ season-O.”
[Chorus]
Em
Hey, two, three, four (shouted)
Em D Em G D
Hey heggle de digg let go of me leg Or I’ll poke ya with me hordin’-O
Em D Em
Hey diddle lee dee let go of me
G D Em
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn an’ all.
[Verse 3]
Em D Em G D
“O it is in vain for to complain or give your tongue such bridle-O,
Em D Em G D Em
You’re absent from your dwellin’ place, disorderly and idle-O.
G D G D
And your hoary locks will not prevail, your sublime oration-O,
Em D Em G D Em
For Peel’s Act will you transport, on your own information-O.”
[Chorus]
Em
Hey, two, three, four (shouted)
Em D Em G D
Hey heggle de digg let go of me leg Or I’ll poke ya with me hordin’-O
Em D Em
Hey diddle lee dee let go of me
G D Em
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn an’ all.
[Verse 4]
Em D Em G D
“No penal laws I did transgress by deed or combination-O,
Em D Em G D Em
I have no certain place of rest, no home or habitation-O
G D Em G D Em
But Bansha is my dwelling place where I was bred and born-O
Em D Em G D Em
Descended from an honest race, that’s all the trade I’ve learned-O.”
[Chorus]
Em
Hey, two, three, four (shouted)
Em D Em G D
Hey heggle de digg let go of me leg Or I’ll poke ya with me hordin’-O
Em D Em
Hey diddle lee dee let go of me
G D Em
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn an’ all.
[Verse 5]
Em D Em G D
“Oh, I will chastise your insolence and violent behavior-O
Em D Em G D Em
We’ll bound to Cashel you’ll be sent, where you will gain no favor-O
G D Em G D Em
The magistrates will all consent to sign your condemnation-O
Em D Em G D Em
From there to Cork you will be sent for speedy transportation-O.”
[Chorus]
Em
Hey, two, three, four (shouted)
Em D Em G D
Hey heggle de digg let go of me leg Or I’ll poke ya with me hordin’-O
Em D Em
Hey diddle lee dee let go of me
G D Em
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn an’ all.
[Verse 6]
Em D Em G D
“This parish and this neighborhood are peaceable and tranquil-O
Em D Em G D Em
There’s no disturbance here, thank God, and long may it continue so
G D Em G D Em
I don’t regard your oath a pin, or sign for my committal-O
Em D Em G D Em
My jury will be gentlemen and grant me my acquittal-O.”
[Chorus]
Em
Hey, two, three, four (shouted)
Em D Em G D
Hey heggle de digg let go of me leg Or I’ll poke ya with me hordin’-O
Em D Em
Hey diddle lee dee let go of me
G D Em
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn an’ all.
[Verse 7]
Em D Em G D
“Oh, the consequence be what it will, a Peeler’s power I’ll let you know
Em D Em G D Em
I’ll handcuff you at all events, and march you off to Bridewell-O
G D Em G D Em
And sure there, you rogue, you can deny before the judge and jury-O
Em D Em G D Em
Intimidation with your horns and threatening me with fury-O.
[Chorus]
Em
Hey, two, three, four (shouted)
Em D Em G D
Hey heggle de digg let go of me leg Or I’ll poke ya with me hordin’-O
Em D Em
Hey diddle lee dee let go of me
G D Em
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn an’ all.
[Verse 8]
Em D Em G D
I’ll make no doubt but you are drunk with whiskey, rum or brandy-O
Em D Em G D Em
Or you wouldn’t have such a gallant spunk, to be so bold and manly-O
G D Em G D Em
For you readily would let me pass if I had money handy-O
Em D Em G D Em
For to treat you to a parting glass--- Oh! It’s then I’d be a dandy O.”
[Outro]
Em D Em G D
Hey heggle de digg let go of me leg Or I’ll poke ya with me hordin’-O
Em D Em
Hey diddle lee dee let go of me
G D Em
Or I’ll leave you bruised and torn an’ all.
