The Irish Washerwoman
Composer(s): George Colman



When I was at home I was merry and frisky
My dad kept a pig and my mother sold whisky
My uncle was rich, but never would by aisey 
Till I was enlisted by Corporal Casey
Och! rub a dub, row de dow, Corporal Casey
My dear little Shelah, I thought would run crazy
When I trudged away with tough Corporal Casey

I marched from Kilkenny, and, as I was thinking 
On Shelah, my heart in my bosom was sinking
But soon I was forced to look fresh as a daisy
For fear of a drubbing from Corporal Casey
Och! rub a dub, row de dow, Corporal Casey! 
The devil go with him, I ne'er could be lazy
He struck my shirts so, ould Corporal Casey 

We went into battle, I took the blows fairly 
That fell on my pate, but they bothered me rarely
And who should the first be that dropped, why, and please ye
It was my good friend, honest Corporal Casey
Och! rub a dub, row de dow, Corporal Casey! 
Thinks I you are quiet, and I shall be aisey 
So eight years I fought without Corporal Casey