In Glendalough lived an auld saint
Renowned for his learning and piety
His manners were curious and quaint
And he looked upon girls with disparity

Chorus
Singing fol-de-lol-lol-del-i-ay
Right fol-de-lol-lol-del-i-addy
Singing fol-de-lol-lol-del-i-ay-aaaah
Right fol-de-lol-lol-del-i-addy

He was fond of reading a book
When he could get one to his wishes
He was fond of casting his hook
In among the pretty young fishes

Chorus

One day he landed a trout
He landed a fine fat trout sir
When Kitty from over the way
Came to see what the auld monk was about, sir

Chorus

"Get out of me way," said the saint
"For I am a man of great piety
Me good manners I wouldn't taint
By mixin' with female society"

Chorus

Well, Kitty she wouldn't give in
And when he got home to his rockery
He found her seated within
A-polishin' up his auld crockery

Chorus

Well, he gave the poor craythur* a shake
And I wish that the police had caught him
For he threw her right into the lake
And be jaysus she sank to the bottom

Chorus

*craythur: Irish for " creature "

On a Topic LP by Dominic Behan - 'Down by the Liffeyside'.

Dominic writes: 'This alleges to tell the story of St Kevin of Glendalough who, it is said, thought more of celibacy than worldly wantonness. I imagine it was made by Michael J. Moran, the blind ballad singer of Falley Alley, who called himself Zozimos. I got the song, though, like a good many more, from my father, Stephen Behan'.

St Kevin founded his monastery in Glendalough, Co Wicklow, in the sixth century, apparently spending his first years there as a hermit in a tree (?); he may have built the church called 'The Church of the Rock', which can only be got to by boat. There is still a cave in the rocks at Glendalough which goes by the name of St Kevin's bed.

In Dominic Behan's ( Brendan's brother ) "Ireland Sings", the notes read "My father has about two versions of this song which deals with the attempt by Kathleen Og of Dara to seduce Saint Kevin of Glendalugh. Lovely name Gleann Da Lough, "The Glen of the Twin Lakes" ( or, two lakes )."