As I was walking through Dublin City
About the hour of twelve at night
It was there I saw a fair pretty female
Washing her feet by candlelight
First she washed them, then she dried them
Over a fire of ambery coals
And in all my life I never did see
A maid so neat about the soles
Chorus:
She had twenty eighteen sixteen fourteen
Twelve ten eight six four two none
She had nineteen seventeen fifteen thirteen
Eleven nine seven five three and one
I stopped to look but the watchman passed
Says he, "Young fellow, now the night is late
And along with you home or I will wrestle you
Straight away to the Bridewell gate
I got a look from the Spanish lady
Hot as a fire of ambery coals
And in all my life I never did see
A maid so neat about the soles
(Chorus)
As I walked back through Dublin City
As the dawn of day was o'er
Oh whom should I spy but the Spanish lady
When I was weary and footsore
She had a heart so filled with loving
And her love she longed to share
And in all my life I never did meet
A maid who had so much to spare
(Chorus)
I have wandered north and I've wandered south
By Stoneybatter and Patrick's Close
And up and around by the Gloucester Diamond
Back by Napper Tandy's house
Old age has laid her hand upon me
Cold as a fire of ashey coals
And gone is the lovely Spanish lady
Neat and sweet about the soles
'Round and around goes the wheel of fortune
Where it rests now wearies me
Oh fair young maids are so deceiving
Sad experience teaches me