It was early, early all in the spring, the birds did whistle and sweetly sing
Changing their notes from tree to tree, and the song they sang was old Ireland free

It was early, early all in the night, the yoeman cavalry gave me a fright
The yoeman cavalry were my downfall, and taken was I by Lord Cornwall

As I was walking up Wexford Hill, oh, who would blame me to cry my fill?
I looked behind and I looked before, but my aged mother I shall see no more

As I was walking up Wexford Street, my own first cousin I chanced to meet
My own first cousin did me betray, and for one bare guinea sold my life away

As I was mounted on the platform high, my aged father was standing by
My aged father did me deny, and the name he gave me was the croppy boy

It was in Dungannon this young man died, and in Dungannon his body lies
So all good people who do pass by, just drop a tear for the croppy boy