The Makem & Spain Brothers: The Tradition Continues
Back to song list

PEG LEG JACK

Peg Leg Jack went out one night to get a little gin
He went up to the landlord's house, the landlord wasn't in
He rapped and rapped and rapped and rapped, he rapped all night in vain
When all of a sudden came (knock, knock, knock) upon the window pane

Up to the window, he turned his head and a maiden he did spy
And he thought by the way she turned her head, that she would be his bride
"Come down, come down," said Peg Leg Jack "and sit on the porch with me"
There down she came and sat on the porch as pretty as ever you'd see

But all of a sudden, here came her father, driving the village hack
With a roar, a bellow a hey young fellow, he started for Peg Leg Jack
Jack went off with a yip and a shout, for life to him was sweet
And Jack's peg leg went (knock, knock, knock) down the village street

The old mule cried, the fat lady screamed, the constable let out a yell
He grabbed the old man by the collar and locked him in the cell
Peg Leg Jack, he hurried back, the maiden for to wed
But found that she had gone and married a soldier boy instead

Poor Jack he cried and then he bellowed and then began to roar
He jumped on a ship with his (knock, knock, knock) and sailed away from shore
He sailed away, so far away, he sailed as fast as sin
And Peg Leg Jack and his (knock, knock, knock) were never seen again