The Bansha peelers went one night on duty and patrolling O
And they met a goat upon the road
And took him for being a-strolling O
And with bayonets fixed they sallied forth
And caught him by the wizen O
And then they swore a mighty oath
They’d send him off to prison O
“Hey goat, traitor!”
“A higgledy-giggle, let go of me leg or I’ll hook-a-ya with me horn O
A diddley-dee-a let go of me or I’ll leave ya bruised and torn O”
“Oh mercy, sir!” the goat replied “Come let me tell my story O
I am no rogue or ribbonman, no croppy, Whig or Tory O
And I’m guilty not of any crime or pеtty, high treason O
Me tribe is wantin’ at this timе for this is rantin’ season O”
“Hey goat, traitor!”
A higgledy-giggle, let go of me leg or I’ll hook-a-ya with me horn O
A diddley-dee-a let go of me or I’ll leave ya bruised and torn O
“Oh, it is in vain for to complain
Or give your tongue such bridle O
You’re absent from your dwelling place
Disorderly and idle O
And your hoary locks will not prevail
Nor your sublime or-a-tation O
For Peeler’s Act will you transport
On your own information O.”
“Hey goat, traitor!”
A higgledy-giggle, let go of me leg or I’ll hook-a-ya with me horn O
A diddley-dee-a let go of me or I’ll leave ya bruised and torn O
“No penal laws I did transgress
By deed or combination O
I have no certain place of rest
No home or habitation O
But Bansha is my dwelling place
Where I was bred and born O
I’m descended from an honest race
That’s all the trade I’ve learned O.”
“Hey goat, traitor!”
A higgledy-giggle, let go of me leg or I’ll hook-a-ya with me horn O
A diddley-dee-a let go of me or I’ll leave ya bruised and torn O
“O the consequence be what it will
A peeler’s power I’ll let you know
I’ll handcuff you in all events
And march you off to Bridewell O
And sure there you rogue, you can’t deny
Before the judge or jury O
Intimidation with your horns
And threatening me with fury O.”
“Hey goat, traitor!”
A higgledy-giggle, let go of me leg or I’ll hook-a-ya with me horn O
A diddley-dee-a let go of me or I’ll leave ya bruised and torn O
“I’ll make no doubt but but you’re drunk
With whiskey, rum or brandy O
Or you wouldn’t have such gallant spunk
To be so bold and manly O
For you readily would let me pass
If I had money handy O
For to treat you to a poteen glass
‘Tis then I’d be a-dandy O.”
“A higgledy-giggle, let go of me leg or I’ll hook-a-ya with me horn O
A diddley-dee-a let go of me or I’ll leave ya bruised and torn O”
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The Wolfe Tones Lyrics – The Peeler and the Goat