Now, John the brave hero who strays from Kilkee,
He came into Derry with a heart-felted glee.
For among pretty cailíns, sure they used him well there.
And they called him the Spiker, the Rambler from Clare.

Now Spiker, oh Spiker beware what I say;
You’ll surely lose sweat by the saving of hay.
For now you have some comfort as Bridgie is gone,
For I’m sure she would stick you in the thigh with a prong.

At the eighteenth of April to Kilkee he did go.
Along with Miss Foley, he knew her also.
Potatoes and cabbage they had for their tea,
For I know that the Spiker had a good day in Kilkee.

Ah I knew girls from Ennistymon, Kilshanny and Moymore.
Beware of the Spiker wherever you go;
Beware of the Spiker wherever he’ll be,
For he’s an old tradesman who came from Kilkee.

Now the Spiker is black sure, with not very tall.
No doubt he’d been married to ??
He was abroad in the garden he’d frighten the crows,
For he’d plough up an acre with his old long nose.

So now to conclude and to finish my song,
I hope those few verses won’t vex Mr John.
They calls him the Spiker no matter a damn.
Ah, ‘tis worse man to call him an honest young man.