For thirty years I've been a tinker I've tramped the mountains and the glen I've courted girls in every county And I fought the very best of men I drank an awful lot of porter I've slept in sun and snow and gale But the life I loved was taken from me When is spent two years in Portlaoise Jail Portlaoise Jail would tame a tiger Try me boys and do get bail There's many a heart that sobs and sighs Inside the walls of Portlaoise Jail I joined a camp outside Killorglin The night before they crowned the King There was song and dance and plenty porter With our wagons formed round in a ring Till a foxy lass sat down beside me Be dad, says I, I'm alright here But her husband roared and leapt between us And he knocked me down with a kick in the ear I hit him hard below the navel He hit the ground with a mighty wail His neck was broke, he died in seconds And I spent puck fair in Portlaoise Jail Portlaoise Jail would tame a tiger Try me boys and do get bail There's many a heart that sobs and sighs Inside the walls of Portlaoise Jail