[Verse 1]
Oh, come on, you, loyal heroes wherever you may be,
don't hire with any master 'till you know what your work will be.
For you must rise up early from the clear daylight till the dawn
and I know you'll ne'er be able to plough the rocks of bawn.
 
[Verse 2]
Well, it's rise up, lovely Sweeney and give your horse some hay.
Yes, give him a good   feed of oats before you ride away.
Don't feed him on soft turnips, put him out on your green lawn
and I know you'll ne'er be able to plough the rocks of bawn.
 
[Verse 3]
Well, my curse upon you, Sweeney, for you have me nearly robbed,
a-sittin' by the fireside with your dudeen in your gob.
You're sitting by the fireside from the clear daylight till the dawn,
and I know you'll ne'er be able to plough the rocks of bawn.
 
 
[Verse 4]
Now my shoes they are well worn out and my stockings they are thin,
my heart is always trembling for fear that you let in.
Yes, my heart is always trembling from the clear daylight till the dawn
and I know you'll ne'er be able to plough the rocks of bawn.
 
[Verse 5]
Now, I wish the queen of England would write to me in time
and put me in some regiment all in my youth and prime.
I'd fight for Ireland's glory from the clear daylight till the dawn
and I never would return again to plough the rocks of bawn.
No, I never would return again to plough the rocks of bawn.