​As I was sitting by the fire, talking to old Reilly’s daughter
Suddenly a thought came into me head,
I’d like to marry old Reilly’s daughter.

Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly
Giddy i-ae [clap, clap, clap]. Play it on your old bass drum.

Reilly played on the big bass drum,
Reilly had a mind for murder and slaughter.
Reilly had a bright red glittering eye,
And he kept that eye on his only daughter.

Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly
Giddy i-ae [clap, clap, clap]. Play it on your old bass drum

Her hair was black, and her eyes were blue,
The colonel and the major and the captain sought her
The sergeant and the private and the drummer boy too
But they never had a chance with Reilly’s daughter.

Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly
Giddy i-ae [clap, clap, clap]. Play it on your old bass drum

Well I got me a ring and a parson too
Got me a scratch in a married quarter
Settled me down to a peaceful life
Happy as a king with Reilly’s daughter.

Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly
Giddy i-ae [clap, clap, clap]. Play it on your old bass drum

Suddenly a footstep on the stairs
Who should it be but Reilly out for slaughter?
With two pistols in his hands
Looking for the man who had married his daughter.

Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly
Giddy i-ae [clap, clap, clap]. Play it on your old bass drum

I caught old Reilly by the hair
Rammed his head in a pail of water
Fired his pistols into the air
Damned sight quicker than I married his daughter.

Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly
Giddy i-ae [clap, clap, clap]. Play it on your old bass drum
Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae, Giddy i-ae for the one-eyed Reilly
Giddy i-ae [clap, clap, clap]. Play it on your old bass drum