As I was walking through Dublin City About the hour of twelve at night It was there I saw a fair pretty female Washing her feet by candlelight First she washed them, then she dried them Over a fire of ambery coals And in all my life I never did see A maid so neat about the soles
Chorus: She had twenty eighteen sixteen fourteen Twelve ten eight six four two none She had nineteen seventeen fifteen thirteen Eleven nine seven five three and one
I stopped to look but the watchman passed Says he, "Young fellow, now the night is late And along with you home or I will wrestle you Straight away to the Bridewell gate I got a look from the Spanish lady Hot as a fire of ambery coals And in all my life I never did see A maid so neat about the soles
(Chorus)
As I walked back through Dublin City As the dawn of day was o'er Oh whom should I spy but the Spanish lady When I was weary and footsore She had a heart so filled with loving And her love she longed to share And in all my life I never did meet A maid who had so much to spare
(Chorus)
I have wandered north and I've wandered south By Stoneybatter and Patrick's Close And up and around by the Gloucester Diamond Back by Napper Tandy's house Old age has laid her hand upon me Cold as a fire of ashey coals And gone is the lovely Spanish lady Neat and sweet about the soles
'Round and around goes the wheel of fortune Where it rests now wearies me Oh fair young maids are so deceiving Sad experience teaches me