One fine summer's morning both gallant and gay
Twenty-four ladies went out on the quay
A regiment of soldiers soon passed them by
A drummer and one of them soon caught his eye
He went to his comrade and to him did say
Twenty-four ladies I saw yesterday
And one of them ladies she has my heart won
And if she denies me I'm surely undone
Go to this lady and tell her your mind
Tell her she has wounded your poor heart inside
Go and tell her she has wounded your poor heart full sore
And if she denies you what can you do more
He went up to her and he said pardon me
Pardon me lady for making so free
Fine honoured lady you have my heart won
And if you deny me I'm surely undone
Be off litle drummer what do you mean
For I'm the lord's daughter from Ballykisteen
For I'm the lords daughter that's honoured you see
Be off little drummer you're makin too free
He put on his hat and he bade her farewell
Saying I'll send my soul down to heaven or hell
With this long pistol that hangs by my side
I'll put an end to my own dreary life
Come back litle drummer don't take it so ill
I do not want to be guilty of sin
To be guilty of innocent blood for to spill
Come back little drummer I'm here at your will
We'll hire a car and to Bansha we'll go
There we'll be married in spite of our foes
For what can be said when it's over and done
But I fell in love with the roll of your drum