Donegal Danny

I remember the night when he came in
from the wintry cold and damp:
a giant of a man in an oilskin coat
and a bundle that told he was a tramp.
He went to the bar and he called a pint
then turned and gazed at the fire
on a night like this to be safe and dry
is my one and only desire.

So here's to those that are dead and gone
the friends that I loved dear
and here's to you then I'll bid you adieu
sayin' "Donegal Danny's been here, me boys"
Donegal Danny has been here.

Then in a voice that was hushed and low
he sad listen I tell you a tale
how a man of the sea became the man of the road
and never more will set sale.
We fished out of Howth and Killybegs,
Ardglass and Baltimore
but the cruel sea has beaten me
and I end my days on the shore.

One fateful night in the wind and rain
we set sail from Killybegs Town,
there were five of us from sweet Donegal
and one from County Down.
Then we struck a rock and holed the bow
and all of us knew that she'd go down,
so we jumped right into the icy sea
and prayed to God we wouldn't drown.
By St. John's Point in the early dawn
I dragged my way on the shore
and cursed the sea for she'd taken my friends
and wowed to sail her never more.