To the Lords of Convention John Claverhouse spoke:
"Ere the king's crown go down there are crowns to be broke
So to each cavalier who loves honor and me
Let him follow the Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!"

Dundee, he is mounted, he rides up the street.
The bells they ring backwards, the hooves they are beat.
But the Provost, douse man, said "just e'en let 'em be
For the town is well rid of the Devil of Dundee."

Chorus: Come fill up my cup, come fill up my can
Come saddle my horses and call out my men
Unhook the west port, and let us go free
For it's up with the Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!

There are hills beyond Pentland and lands beyond Forth
If there's kings in the South there are chiefs in the North.
There are brave Dunniewassles three thousand times three
Who'll cry hey for the Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee!

So away to the hills, to the caves, to the rocks
Ere I own a usurper I'll couch with the fox
Tremble false Whigs in the midst of your glee
For you've not seen the last of my Bonnets and me!

"Last night I saw a saw a solemn sight,"
Said the rambling shambling traveling man.
"Castle Dargen's ruins all lit
Lovely ladies dance in it."

"What though they dance those days are gone,"
Said the wicked crooked hawthorn tree.
"Lovely ladies, valiant men
Are blown cold dust or a bit of bone."

"What is life but a mouthful of air,"
Said the rambling shambling traveling man.
"But all the lovely things that were
Live, for I saw them dancing there."

"For who knows what may befall,"
Said the wicked crooked hawthorn tree.
"I've been so long by this crack in the wall
Maybe I shall not die at all."

What can I say of a playboy's behavior
Have I not sported all over the place?
Bragging and boasting and coaxing the maidens
And raising their love with the strength of my kiss
And duly reciting each versification
To turn their young thoughts from the beauties of home
By which they were led into sad situations
The clergy declare are best left alone.

My time of a time has been time sadly wasted
With thimblemen, tipplers and gay maids a score
I have sat by a candle and rhymed myself naked
With jokes that I've made and great oaths that I've swore.
Day in and day out all the wealth of my station
Away upon master musicians was thrown
And all that they played me I heard with elation
Not knowing that they too were best left alone.

Alas for my soul, that most furious of creatures,
My creditors all with their warrants did come
They swore by their souls they would see me in bondage
And now I am poor and ill-clad and undone.
Each honey-mouthed maiden of all that betrayed me
Or robbed me pretending that she was my own
Now flaunts in my face her outlandish behavior
And tells me too late she were best left alone.

Let every proud high-stepping mirth-making hero
Who hungers for ladies or craves for the drink
Take warning by me and act wise and awarely
Or into darkness your old age will sink.
To speak to a girl is poor consolation
And truly I'd leave the tavern alone.
I admit and I swear and I make protestation
They're the devil's own trade and are best left alone.

It's up the heathery mountains and down the rocky glen
Squire Staples has gone hunting Shane Crossagh and his men
With forty mounted yeomen that galloped in a stream
They swear they'll 'gin the gallows' work when they come back again.

Shane Crossagh was a plough boy that ploughed in Ballynascreen
But now he is an outlaw for the wearing of the green
'Twas in the Sperrin Mountains far, far from Ballynascreen
They set the bloodhounds on his track
For the wearing of the green.

Then up spoke Torrens the farmer -- "We have him now, I know
The bloodhounds are upon his track-- his back to the River Roe.
The man he must be weary, a long chase it has been,
For three long days and fasting since he left Ballynascreen."

Shane Crossagh had a wolf dog that ne'er parted him.
And as the hounds they all ran round, he pulled them limb from limb.
'Tis then up spoke the outlaw, as the tears began to flow
"My gallant hound, we'll both go free if we can leap the Roe."

Then up the hound he gave a bounce -- "Crossagh, now I know!"
And with a shout they both jumped out and leaped the River Roe.
"Mark me Squire Staples, if you come back again,
You well may wish the River Roe 'tween Crossagh and his men."

The Feeny Bridge was broken, and on a search was seen,
For them a fearful token, a bunch of holly green.
'Tis then cried Squire Staples, "Crossagh, let me live,
And for your hounds a thousand pounds in yellow gold I'll give."

'Tis bound is Squire Staples -- you'll find him in the glen.
His forty yeoman taken by seven gallant men.
By seven gallant outlaws -- seven gallant men.
And with despair they tore their hair, and Shane ran free again.

Come each jolly fellow who loves to be mellow
Attend unto me and sit easy.
One jorum in quiet, my lads let us try it--
Thinking can make a man crazy.
For here I am king so let's drink, dance and sing
Let no man appear as a stranger.
But show me the ass who won't raise the glass
And I'll feed him hay in a manger.

By reaping and sowing, by ploughing and mowing
Kind nature supplies me with plenty.
With cellar well stored and a plentiful board
And a garden affords every dainty.
If not for my seeding you'd have but poor feeding
You'd surely be starved without me.
I'm always content when I pay up my rent
And happy when friends are about me.

So come round the table my boys if you're able
Let's not hear a word of complaining!
The clinking of glasses all music surpasses
I love to hear bottles a-draining!
Let the rich and great sit in splendor and state--
I envy them not, I declare it.
For the sun and the rain don't chase after gain
This life is a gift, let us share it!

I've birds and I've bowers, I've trees and I've flowers
The lark is my morning alarmer.
So come all ye now who follow the plough
Drink life and success to the farmer!