As I was sitting by the fire

Talking to O'Reilly's daughter

Suddenly a thought came into my head

I'd like o marry O'Reilly's daughter.



Giddy i-ae Giddy i-ae Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly

Giddy i-ae (bang bang bang) Play it on your old big drum.



Reilly played on the big bass drum

Reilly had a mind for murder and slaughter

Reilly had a bright red glittering eye

And he kept that eye on his lovely daughter.



Her hair was black and her eyes were blue

The colonel and the major and the captain sought her

The sergeant and the private and the drummer boy too

But they never had a chance with Reilly's daughter.



I got me a ring and a parson too

Got me a scratch in a married quarter

Settled me down to a peaceful life

Happy as a king with Reilly's daughter.



Suddenly a footstep on the stairs

Who should it be but Reilly out for slaughter

With two pistols in his hands

Looking for the man who had married his daughter.



I caught O'Reilly by the hair

Rammed his head in a pail of water

Fired his pistols into the air

A damned sight quicker than I married his daughter