At the Eight Mile Bridge in the county Down I had honest parents of fame and renown Oh had I been obedient and kept the command I never would have broken the laws of the land
Right fol-lol-la-dee
My parents endeavoured to give me honest bread They bound me apprentice unto the linen trade All to an honest weaver thet lived hard by My heart was for rambling I could not comply
One beautiful creature, Jane Sharkey by name I gained her affections and I was to blame I own I enticed her and we ran away My troubles began from the very same day
That beautiful creature I soon left forlorne For fear of her parents I stepped up the Mourne But her cruel father pursued me with spite He made me his prisoner that very same night
It's off to Newry guardhouse straight way I was sent To whip me next morning it was their intent When I heard of this, it put me in a fright I broke Newry guardhouse the very same night
And the guards they pursued me the very next day The guards I beguiled and I soon got away I went down to the shore where a vessel it did lay I set my foot on shipboard to England sailed away
And then when that I landed in sweet Holyhead I had no honest means for to earn me my bread And I was loathe to beg but alas I did worse To make myself money I stole a grey horse
And it's then when I landed once more on Irish ground I soon began my tricks again near a fair in Newry town For I stole a hat from one Thomas Right He made me his prisoner that very same night
And it's off to Newry guardhouse once more I was sent To hang me next morning it was their intent When I heard of this well it put me in a fright I knocked down the turnkey and escaped the same night
And the guards they pursued me again the next day The guards I soon beguiled and once more I got away Said one unto the other "He'll travel no more" The very same night Newry Lough I swam o'er
And I rested myself for a day or two in moor I went to rob a Bleachcream fair I never was before But they were strong with guards and the Bleachcream within Surrounded was poor Roger and taken was again
Now Roger was taken but often did get free It's come now to his turn for to march to the tree And all his foolish actions he there did declare And that put an end to old Roger O'Hehir