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The Croppy Boy
Traditional

Notes:  There are versions of this song all over Ireland.   The term "croppy" is said to be a nickname given to the rebels of Wexford during the 1798 rebellion because of their close-cropped hair, and for many generations the term was synonymous with "rebel".  In another version the croppy boy does not die at the end but goes into exile.  (taken from The Irish Songbook)

It was early, early in the spring 
The birds did whistle and sweetly sing, 
Changing their notes from tree to tree 
And the song they sang was Old Ireland free. 

It was early early in the night, 
The yeoman cavalry gave me a fright; 
The yeoman cavalry was my downfall 
And I was taken by Lord Cornwall. 

'Twas in the guard-house where I was laid, 
And in a parlour where I was tried; 
My sentence passed and my courage low 
When to Dungannon I was forced to go. 

As I was passing my father's door 
My brother William stood at the door; 
My aged father stood at the door 
And my tender mother her hair she tore. 

As I was going up Wexford Street 
My own first cousin I chanced to meet; 
My own first cousin did me betray 
And for one bare guinea swore my life away.

As I was walking up Wexford Hill 
Who could blame me to cry my fill? 
I looked behind, and I looked before 
But my aged mother I shall see no more. 

And as I mounted the platform high 
My aged father was standing by; 
My aged father did me deny 
And the name he gave me was the Croppy Boy. 

It was in Dungannon this young man died 
And in Dungannon his body lies. 
And you good people that do pass by 
Oh shed a tear for the Croppy Boy. 

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