As I was walking down the street,
Derry, derry, down, down, all the day!
A poor old man I chanced to meet,
Derry, derry, down, down, all the day!
In rags he was, from top to toe,
Through which the bitter wind could blow;
And yet he grinned as he sang low,
Derry, derry, down, down, all the day!

"How can you smile and sing," asked I,
Derry, derry, down, down, all the day!
"When coat or shoes you cannot buy?"
Derry, derry, down, down, all the day!
"The sun and sky and air are free!
The best of all good things," said he,
"Cost just the same for you and me!"
Derry, derry, down, down, all the day!