About four years ago I was diggin the land
with me brogues on me feet and me spade in me hand
Says I to meself what a pity to see
Such a fine strappin lad footin' turf in Tralee

With me tura na na, with me tura na na,

With me tura na nura nanya!

Well I buttered me brogues and shook hands with me spade
and away down the road like a dashing young blade
When up comes a sargeant and he asks me to list
Arra, sergeant a gra, put the bob in me fist...

With me tura na na, with me tura na na,

With me tura na nura nanya!

Well here is a shilling as I've got no more
When you get to headquarters you’ll get half a score
Arra, quit your kimeens, sez I, Sergeant goodbye
You’d not wish to be quartered, and neither would I

With me tura na na, with me tura na na,

With me tura na nura nanya!

Now the first thing they gave me it was a red coat
With a fine strap leather to go round me throat
and the next thing they gave me, I asked what was that
and they told me it was a cockade for me hat

With me tura na na, with me tura na na,

With me tura na nura nanya!

And the... Next thing they gave me they called it a gun.
With powder and ball and a place for me thumb.
First it spit fire lads and then it spewed smoke
and it gave me old shoulder such a hell of a stroke.

With me tura na na, with me tura na na,

With me tura na nura nanya!

And the first place they sent me was down to the sea
All onboard of a warship bound for the Crimeee!
Three sticks in the middle all rolled round with sheets
Lord, she walked through the water without any feet

With me tura na na, with me tura na na,

With me tura na nura nanya!