The Louse House of Kilkenny

Oh, the first of me downfall I set out the door

I straight made me way on for Carrick-on-Suir

Going out by Rathronan 'twas late in the night

Going out the West Gate for to view the gaslight

Radley fal the diddle ay

Radley fal the diddle airo

I went to the town's hall to see the big lamp

And who should I meet but a bloody big tramp

I finally stepped over and to him I said:

"Will you kindly direct me to where I'll get a bed?"

Radley fal the diddle ay

Radley fal the diddle airo

'Twas then he directed me down to Cooks Lane

To where old Buck St John kept an old sleeping cage

From out of the door was a small piece of board

Hung out on two nails with a short piece of cord

Radley fal the diddle ay

Radley fal the diddle airo

I looked up and down till I found out the door

And a queerer old household sure I ne'er saw before

Then the Misses came out and these words to me said:

"If you give me three coppers, sure I'll give you a bed"

Radley fal the diddle ay

Radley fal the diddle airo

Well I then stood aside with me back to the wall

And the next thing I saw was an oul cobbler's stall

And there was the cobbler and he mending his brogues

With his hammers and pinchers all laid in a row

Radley fal the diddle ay

Radley fal the diddle airo

Then she brought me upstairs and she put out the light

And in less than five minutes I had to show fight

And in less than five more when the story was best

The fleas came around me and brought me a curse

Radley fal the diddle ay

Radley fal the diddle airo

'Twas all around me body they formed a march

'Twas all around me body they played the Death march

For the bloody oul major gave me such a pick

That he nearly made away with half of me hip

Radley fal the diddle ay

Radley fal the diddle airo

Now I'm going to me study, these lines to pen down

And if any poor traveller should e'er come to town

And if any poor traveller should be nighted like me

Beware of Buck St John and his black cavalry

Radley fal the diddle ay

Radley fal the diddle airo