"Turfman From Ardee" lyrics

For the sake of health he took a walk one morning in Dundalk
I met a jolly turfman on the road as I did walk
A friendly conversation came between this man and me
And that's how I came acquainted with the Turfman from Ardee

Oh, we chatted very freely as we waltzed along the road
He said "Me ass is tired and I'd like to shed me load
I've had no refreshments since I've left me home, you see
And I'm weary out the travelling" said the Turfman from Ardee

Said I, "Old man, your cart is worn, your ass is very old
It must be twenty summers since that animal was foaled"
"Yoked in a cart and tramped around September, 'forty-three
But he cantered from the midwife," said the Turfman from Ardee

"Oh yes" he said, "My cart is worn with tough old Irish wood
It must have been in use since the day of Noah's flood
The axle hasn't wanted grease in one year out of three
It's a good old Carrick axle" said the Turfman from Ardee

"Ah, yes, I often hit his face with my rough hazel rod
But I must admit I never do see poor old Jack unshod
The harness now thats on his back was made by Sam McGee
And he's dead this two and twenty years" said the Turfman from Ardee

We talked about our country and how we were oppressed
The ones we sent to parliament to have our wrongs addressed
"I've no faith in these members, now, or nothing more you see
They're a shower o' dirty humbug" said the Turfman from Ardee

And then I heard a female voice that I knew very well
Politely asking this old man his load of turf to sell
I took that stately hand o' his and bowed respectfully
And I hoped to meet some future day with the Turfman from Ardee