The Old Man Rocking the Cradle (Hushaba Cliabhán)
Source: The Stone Fiddle by Paddy Tunney
Location: New Edition, page 157 / 158
It was the other night that I chanced to go roving,
Down by the wee river I jogged along.
I heard an old man making sad lamentation
About rocking the cradle, and the child not his own.
Chorus:
Hi-ho, hi ho, hi dillie, lie easy
Perhaps your own daddy will never be known.
I’m sighing and sobbing and rocking the cradle,
And nursing a babbie that’s none of my one.
She goes out every night to a ball or a party
And leaves me here rocking the cradle alone.
And it’s by the Lord Harry, if ever you marry,
You’re sure to be rocking the cradle alone.
Chorus
So come all you young men that’s inclined to get married,
Take my advice, leave the women alone.
For it’s by the Lord Harry if ever you marry,
You’re sure to be rocking the cradle alone.
Chorus