In Carlow town there lived a maid,
More sweet that flowers at daybreak;
Their vows contending lovers paid,
But none of marriage dared speak;
Still with a sigh,
‘Twas ‘O! I die
Each day my passion stronger.’
When sprightly Nancy then did say,
‘You’ll die, dear sir, the Irish way
To live a little longer.’

At length, grown jealous, Venus cries,
‘This pride’s beyond all bearing,’
And quickly sent Mars from the skies,
In form of Captain Daring;
Then, with a sigh,
‘Twas ‘O! I die’
The god found passion stronger,
As sprightly Nancy then did say,
‘You’ll die, dear sir, the Irish way
To live a little longer.’

Like hero bold, well armed, he pressed,
And quickly saw by Nancy,
The snow was thawed within her breast;
The soldier caught her fancy;
With downcast eye
She heaved a sigh,
She found her passion stronger,
And sprightly Nancy then did say,
‘I’ll die, myself, the Irish way,
To live a little longer!’