the boys in the farm are working the plow they re picking potatoes and milking the cow but we haven t time for shovel or sow we work at the roving trade here s to the music and here s to the night and here s to the whiskey the water of life here s to the lassies we re holding them tight and here s to the roving trade back on the road we re going to be rogues and romances of high degree the lassies are happy whenever they see the boys of the roving trade here s to the music and here s to the night and here s to the whiskey the water of life here s to the lassies we re holding them tight and here s to the roving trade dublin and cork and galway are fine and limerick is beautiful most of the time but belfast is never to far from me mind i miss her whenever i roam here s to the music and here s to the night and here s to the whiskey the water of life here s to the lassies we re holding them tight and here s to the roving trade we ve traveled the world for many s a mile singin and playin and bringin a smile and soon we ll be back in the emerald isle for paddy is headed for home here s to the music and here s to the night and here s to the whiskey the water of life here s to the lassies we re holding them tight and here s to the roving trade diddly doo dum to the tune of the chorus twice