[Verse 1]
An American came sailing in
With a grin and a paper sack
Said, “I’ve got me a pet, she’s special, lads
And I’m taking her nowhere back”
He patted her box like she was gold
In the hold of a rented van
Said, “She’s calm as a church on Sunday”
Well, that’s how trouble began
[Pre-Chorus]
He asked for a room with a view
And a bowl of warm milk too
The landlord said, “What’s in that crate?”
He said, “Pure luck, and a little bit of fate”
[Chorus]
Now there’s snakes in Ireland, snakes in Ireland
By the grace of that fool from across the sea
Snakes in Ireland, snakes in Ireland
All because he set his sweetheart free
(Oh no)
(Saint Patrick, save us)
Snakes in Ireland, snakes in Ireland
And she’s roaming wild, devilishly
[Verse 2]
He left her by a fireplace bar
While he drank till the lights went dim
She slipped through a sack of spuds and salt
Like she’d paid to be there on a whim
Out through the lane and over the ditch
Past a priest and a flock of geese
Now every hedge and holy stone
Has a hiss in the morning breeze
[Pre-Chorus]
The pub dog barked, then ran for home
The bingo hall went white as bone
Old Mrs. Dwyer crossed herself
Said, “That yoke has a mind of its own”
[Chorus]
Now there’s snakes in Ireland, snakes in Ireland
By the grace of that fool from across the sea
Snakes in Ireland, snakes in Ireland
All because he set his sweetheart free
(Oh no)
(Saint Patrick, save us)
Snakes in Ireland, snakes in Ireland
And she’s roaming wild, devilishly
[Bridge]
He swore he’d catch her by the quay
With a net and a jar of jam
But she wrapped round a pint of stout
And gave him a ribald slam
So if you hear a hiss in the heather
And a boot heel striking stone
Raise your glass to the man who came ashore
And left the whole island crowned in bones
[Final Chorus]
Now there’s snakes in Ireland, snakes in Ireland
By the grace of that fool from across the sea
Snakes in Ireland, snakes in Ireland
All because he set his sweetheart free
(Oh no)
(Saint Patrick, save us)
Snakes in Ireland, snakes in Ireland
And she’s roaming wild, devilishly