HIS DANCING DAYS

Never did I find me mate for charmin’ an’ delightin’,

Never one that had me bate for courtin’ an’ for fightin’;—

( A white moon at the crossroads then, and Denny with the fiddle;

The parish round admirin’, when I danced down the middle. )

Up the earth and down again, me like you'd not discover;

Arrah! for the times before me dancin’ days were over!

Never was a moon so low it did n't find me courtin’,

Never blade I could n't show a wilder way of sportin’.

( Is it at the fair I'd be, the gentry'd troop to talk with me;

Leapin’ with delight was she,— the girl I'd choose to walk with me. )

‘ Twas I could win the pick of them from any lad or lover;

Arrah! for the times before me dancin’ days were over!

What's come to all the lads to-day,— these mournful ways they're keepin’,

Grudgin’ any hour to play and wastin’ nights in sleepin’.

( Readin’ be the chimney-place,— that dacent in their habits,

You'd sooner get a fight or song be callin’ upon rabbits. )

Faith, I'd change the lot for one rejoicin’, rantin’ rover,

The like of me, myself, before me dancin’ days were over.