Dear Ann I’ll tell you how I’ve dined
On Turbot, best of all its kind
And Salmon caught in the Western Wind
In the Bay of Clonakilty —
A half pay officer was there
Who came to breath the heavenly air
Of mountains high and meadows rare
That smile on Clonakilty
There was a Counsellor, or two
That said, Dear Murphy, how do you do
Quite well says I, but who are you
I meet in Clonakilty —
Oh damn it Murphy never mind
We know you’re kindest of the kind
And we are very glad to find
You here in Clonakilty —
So Ann we went to take a glass
They, each, did toast a favourite lass
Be sure, the jug I did not pass
Tho I was in Clonakilty —
Then Ann, says I, here’s damn my foes —
Long life to her where’er she goes
My own Dear Ann, a sweeter rose
Than e’er blessed Clonakilty —
Jeremiah Joseph Callanan, Literary Remains of JJ Callanan, collected and compiled by John Fitzpatrick Fitzthomas Windele of Blair’s castle, Cork. Royal Irish Academy MSS 12 I 13, 130-131.