Boys of Killybegs
Author: Tommy Makem
There are wild and rocky hills
on the coast of Donegal
and their fisherman are hearty brave and free
and the big Atlantic Swell
is a thing they know right well
as they fight to take a living from the sea
CHORUS
With a pleasant rolling sea
and the herring running free
and the fleet all riding gently thru the foam
When the boats are loaded down
ther’ll be singing in the town
when the boys of Killybegs
come rolling home
Well you’ve donned your rubber boots
and you’ve got your oilskins on
and you’ve checked your gear
to see that it’s OK
and your jumper keeps you warm
for it’s cold before the dawn
and you’re ready to begin another day
CHORUS
Then you’ve headed out to sea
and the wind is blowing free
and you’ve cast your nets
as rain begins to fall
but the sun comes riding high
and the clouds will soon roll by
and today you’ll maybe
take a bumper haul
CHORUS
When the weather’s blowing rough
and the work gets very tough
and the ropes will raise the welts
upon your hands
but you’ll never leave the sea
for whomever you may be
when it’s in your blood
it’s hard to live on land
CHORUS
Well there’s purple on the hills
and there’s green down by the shore
and the sun has spilled it’s gold
upon the sea
and there’s silver down below
where those herring fishes go
when we catch them
there’ll be gold for you and me
CHORUS