My name's Duncan Campbell from the shire of Argyll I've travelled this country for many's the mile I've travelled through Ireland, Scotland and a' And the name I go under's bold Erin-go-bragh
One night in Auld Reekie as I walked down the street A saucy big polis I chanced for to meet He glowered in my face and he gi'ed me some jaw Sayin' "When cam' ye over, bold Erin-go-bragh?"
"Well I am not a Pat though in Ireland I've been Nor am I a Paddy though Ireland I've seen But were I a Pat, now, what's that at a'? For there's many's the bold hero from Erin-go-bragh"
"Well I know you're a Pat by the cut of your hair But you all turn to Scotsmen as soon as you're here You left your ain country for breaking the law And we're seizing all stragglers from Erin-go-bragh"
"Were I a Pat and you knew it were true Or were I the devil, then what's it to you? Were it not for the stick that you hold in your paw I would show you a game played in Erin-go-bragh"
And a lump of blackthorn that I held in my fist Around his big body I made it to twist And the blood from his napper I quickly did draw And paid him stock-and-interest for Erin-go-bragh
Then the people came around like a flock of wild geese Crying "Catch that daft rascal, he's killed the police" And for every friend I had I'll swear he had twa It was terrible hard times for Erin-go-bragh
But I cam' to a wee boat that sailed in the Forth And I packed up my gear and I steered for the North Fareweel to Auld Reekie, you polis and a' And the devil gang with you, says Erin-go-bragh
So come all you young people, wherever you're from I don't give a damn to what place you belong I come from Argyll in the Hielands so braw But I ne'er took it ill being called Erin-go-bragh