Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Irish Smuggler

Traditional

“The Irish Smuggler” as printed in The Black-Bird Songster (1840).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 416 1840 · historical text
Public domainScottish songSongster
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Black-Bird Songster, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

From Brighton two Paddies walked under the cliff,

For pebbles and shells to explore,

When too a small barrel was dropt from a skiff,

Which floated at length to the shore;

Says Dermont to Pat, we the owner will bilk,

To-night we'll be merry and frisky,

I know it as well as my own mother's milk,

Dear joy, 'tis a barrel of whisky.

Verse 2

Says Pat, I'll soon broach it, a fortunate lot,

Now Pat, you must know was no joker;

I'll go to Tom Murphy, who lives in the cot,

And borrow his kitchen hot poker.

Twas said and 'twas done, the barrel was bor'd,

No bachanals evor felt prouder,

en Paddy found out a small error on board,

The whisky, alas! was gunpowdor.

Verse 3

With sudden explosion he flow o'er the ocean,

And high in air sported a leg;

Yet instinct prevails, when philosophy fails,

So he kept a tight hold of the keg,

But Dermont bawled out with a terrible shout,

I'm not to be choused, Mr Wiseman;

If you do not come down, I'll run into the town,

And by St Patrick I'll tell tho Exciseman.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. Historical text published in The Black-Bird Songster (1840); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Black-Bird Songster (1840), “The Irish Smuggler”

Every contribution in this 1840 songster predates modern copyright terms; any contributor died more than 130 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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