The Finest Old Rogue

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑶𝒍𝒅 𝑹𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Lyrics and Composition © 2026 Maris S. The work is all done, the glen lies calm As the farmer courts his favourite maid He chases her around the farm Til they fall to rest in the orchard's shade But as dusk falls, a sly one wakes, full of mischief and guile Now, who is this man with the crooked old smile? She spreads the blanket, while he sets the food A simple meal, they're eager to devour Well, glory be, the meat is gone, the cheese all chewed And what's more, the milk is curdled an' sour Was that a snickering laughter that they might have heard? So the trickster has come, a true mockingbird No soul has ever caught him yet The cheeky rogue that no one's ever met Leprechaun, you're so rude You're a pebble in my boot Too sharp, too quick, you're steps ahead The finest old rogue and marvellous dread A few have claimed they've caught his sight On misty days or moonless nights When cows give cream instead of milk When beggars sleep in sheets of silk That's when the cattle bolt and flee From shadows 'neath the hawthorn tree It may have been a fleetin' gleam Or maybe just a drunkard's dream They shut the door, the windows too This time, they say, we'll win this bout But he's a trickster far too shrewd No lock or bolt can keep him out They settle back, and there before their eyes Lie fresh bread an' flowers, such sweet surprise A nuisance to some, but also in part Both trickster and friend, with love in his heart Leprechaun, you are our star Cunnin' an' loving, just as you are Bringin' us mischief an' joy everyday The finest old rogue with a jacket of grey Leprechaun, you are our star Cunnin' an' loving, just as you are Bringin' us mischief an' joy everyday The finest old rogue with a jacket of grey The finest old rogue with a jacket of grey The farmer is restin', the mischief all done Drinkin' his whiskey in the settin' sun He spots the small fellow dart out of his sight Mockin' him softly — then he's lost to the night