"The Mickey Dam" lyrics

I'm an honest Irish labourer, I come from the Country Clare
Once I had a little farm with nothing more to spare
I had to sell me donkey and me little billy goat
With the money I received, to Glasgow took the boat
The seas were raging around the boat, a steamship called Rob Roy
Me first resort was drinkin', boys to stop me going dry
I made this proclamation while the winds of Éireann blew
To not forgot my country when there's liberation due

For I'm as strong as any lion
I was reared on eggs and ham
I'm a terror to all fighting men
Around the Mickey Dam

In the morning I landed there, before me hair got dry
I was started on the Mickey Dam in a place they called Mulguy
The ganger that we started with, they called him John the Mouse
The very day that I got there at me he bade to grouse
Well, I quickly surprised him, I said "You little rat
I'll tie the drain-pipe around your neck, and file you to the cat"
This rose the Mouse's temper at me he tried to jump
I quickly paralysed him with the handle of a pump

I'm as strong as any lion
I was reared on eggs and ham
I'm a terror to all fighting men
Around the Mickey Dam

The big hotels we're stopping in, they call them navvy huts
The flies and fleas around the place are the size of coconuts
For breakfast; eggs and bacon, whiskey whets the tea
Work divine till dinner tome, then porter grá mo chroí
I break me back for Ireland, for my family all at home
Twice I'd break the backs of those who represent the throne
If I had swapped the smell of concrete for the smooth Atlantic air
And fight for an Ireland that's decent, free, and fair

For I'm as strong as any lion
I was reared on eggs and ham
I'm a terror to all fighting men
Around the Mickey Dam