Lyrics
The Finest Old Rogue ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Lyrics © 2026 Maris S. Deep in the glen when the day starts to fade The farmer is courting his favourite maid A sly one awakes full of mischief and guile Who is the man with the crooked old smile? And if you are hungry and looking for meat He'll nick your food while you're mid-bite to eat No one can tell how he does what he does But ev'ry night he is raisin' a fuss No soul has ever caught him yet The trickiest rogue you have never met Leprechaun, nobody called But when you come we'll be enthralled Drinkin' me stout an' eatin' me bread Laughin' at us — oh, marvellous dread Under the hills or behind the old cask Spinnin' your tricks is your favourite task No lock and no bolt can hold you in place You cheeky old rogue, no manners nor grace Some people swear that they saw you go by When the mist of the morning was fillin' the sky Or in the night when they've had a few drinks As lantern-light flickers an' starlight blinks No soul has ever caught him yet The trickiest rogue you have never met Leprechaun, nobody called But when you come we'll be enthralled Drinkin' me stout an' eatin' me bread Laughin' at us — oh, marvellous dread He's cursed all your milk an' it's curdled and sour Turned butter to water inside of an hour A shadow beneath the old hawthorn tree? Or maybe 'twas just a drunkard's dream? Leprechaun, nobody called But when you come we'll be enthralled Drinkin' me stout an' eatin' me bread Laughin' at us — oh, marvellous dread Leprechaun, you are our star Wild an' wonderful, just as you are Bringin' us mischief an' laughter today The finest old rogue in his jacket of gray The finest old rogue in his jacket of gray The farmer is resting, his work is 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