When I was young and in my prime My mind being free from care Whilst leaving all in Donegal to wander far away Whilst leaving all in Donegal to wander far away That I might plough the raging main, going to Amerikay In Creeslough town my friends stood round And I bad adieu to all In Creeslough town my friends stood round And I bad adieu to all And down Lough Foyle and away I went from the hills of Donegal The night being dark and stormy And loud the waves did roar Our captain cries, "Hold off, me boys, our vessel's going ashore!" Our captain cries, "Hold off, me boys, to deck you one and all!" And I rued the day I sailed away from the hills of Donegal My father he's a farmer, I mean to tell you all Between Moville, near Derry, and the hills of Donegal I, being like many's the foolish young lad, I thought I'd sail away That I might plough the raging main, Going to Amerikay Here's farewell unto Castlerock, likewise unto Downhill And to that spot where we sailed by, they call it sweet Moville From sweet Culmore to that foreign shore Where waves do rise and fall Adieu adieu to my wee lass on the hills of Donegal