As I went out through Dublin City Around the hour of twelve at night, Who should I spy but the Spanish Lady Washing her feet by candle light. First she washed them then she dried them Over a fire of embry coals And in all my life I never did meet A maid so neat about the soles.
Chorus: She had twenty, eighteen, sixteen, fourteen, Twelve, ten, eight, six, four, two, none, She had Nineteen, seventeen, fifteen, thirteen, Eleven, nine seven, five, three, and one.
I stopped to look but the watchman passed. Says he “Young fella now the night is late, Away with you home or I will wrestle you Straigh away to the Bridewell Gate”. But I got a look from the Spanish Lady, Hot as a fire of embry coals, And in all my life I never did meet a maid so sweet about the soles.
Chorus
So I wandered north and I wandered south, By Stoney Batter and Patrick’s Close, Up and around by the Gloucester Diamond Back by Napper Tandy’s house. And as I passed back through Dublin City, Just as the dwon was breaking o’er Who should I spy but the Spanish Lady As I was weary and footsore. She had a heart so full of lovin, And that love she longed to share, And in all my life I never did meet A maid who had so much to spare.
Chorus
But old age has laid her hand upon me Cold as a fire of ashy coals And gone is the lovely Spanish Lady Neat and sweet about the soles. Round and around goes the wheel of fortune And where it rests now wearys me Fair young maids are so deceiving Sad experience teaches me.
Chorus
Extended Description
A traditional Dublin street song about a young man who falls in love at first sight with a Spanish Lady he sees on the street. He wins her love only to lose it and remebers his lost lover with bittersweet fondness in old age.