[Verse]
In the days when I was courting, I was never tired resorting,
To an alehouse or a playhouse or where a girl resides,
But I told my brother Séamus, "I'm off to come right famous,
And before that I'll return again I'll sail homeward while."

[Chorus]
Singing, "Goodbye, Mrs Durkin, I'm sick and tired of working,
No more I'll dig the praties, no longer I'll be fooled,
For as sure as me name is Barney I'll be off to Californy,
Instead of digging praties I'll be digging lumps of gold."

[Verse]
Now I've courted girls in Blarney, in Kanturk and in Killarney,
In Passage and in Newport, that's in the Cobh of Cork,
But enough now for me leisure, I'm off to make me treasure,
And the next time you will hear from me is a letter from New York.

[Chorus]
Singing, "Goodbye, Mrs Durkin, I'm sick and tired of working,
No more I'll dig the praties, no longer I'll be fooled,
For as sure as me name is Barney I'll be off to Californy,
Instead of digging praties I'll be digging lumps of gold."

[Verse]
Farewell to all the boys at home, I'm sailing far across the foam,
I'm off to make me fortune in far Americay,
As gold and silvers plenty for the poor and for the gentry,
And when I come back home again I never more will stray.

[Chorus]
Singing, "Goodbye, Mrs Durkin, I'm sick and tired of working,
No more I'll dig the praties, no longer I'll be fooled,
For as sure as me name is Barney I'll be off to Californy,
Instead of digging praties I'll be digging lumps of gold.".