I was a bold teatotaler for three long years or more
The neighbors all respected me and the decent clothes I wore
My parents they were fond of me, 'till one unlucky day
When like a child, I was beguiled with whiskey in my tay

I only took the smallest sup, when up the ructions rose
And seeing I was sat upon, I slaughtered friends and foes
The policemen, they surrounded me and took me in next day
The charge was read and duly ped, the whiskey in my tay

From Carrickmacross to Crossmaglen, as any man will vow
There are no rogues, but honest men for miles and miles around
"It isn't rogues or honest men," the justice then did say
"What we'll deal with now is the drunken row and the whiskey in the tay"

"This man he was a sober man for three long years or more
The neighbors all respected him and the decent clothes he wore"
"His story is an ancient one," the justice then did say
"But you'll pay your bail or go to jail for the whiskey in your tay"

So all you bred tea-totalers, if sober you may be
Be careful of your company and mind what happened me
It wasn't the boys from Shercock or the lads from Ballybay
But the dealing men from Crossmaglen put the whiskey in my tay