Tommy Makem – The Rapparee lyrics

My spurs are rusted, my coat is rent, my plume is damp with rain
And the thistle down and the barley beard are thick on my horses mane
But my rifle's as bright as my sweetheart's eye, my arm is strong and free
What care have I for your king or laws, I'm an outlawed rapparee

Chorus:
Lift your glasses friends with mine and give your hand to me
I'm England's foe, I'm Ireland's friend, I'm an outlawed rapparee

The mountain cavern is my home, up high in the crystal air
And my bed of limestone iron ribbed and the brown heath smelling fair
Let George or William only send his troops to burn or loot
We'll meet them up on equal ground and we'll fight them foot to foot

Hunted from out our father's home, pursued by steel and shot
A bloody warfare we must wage or the gibbet be our lot
Hurrah! This war is welcome work, the hunted outlaw knows
He steps unto his country's love o'er the corpses of his foes