[Verse]
I had a true love if ever a girl had one,
I had a true love, a brave lad was he,
One fine Easter Monday with his gallant comrades,
He started away for to make Ireland free.

[Chorus]
For all around my hat I wear a tri-coloured ribbon, oh,
All around my hat until death comes to me,
And if anybody's asking me, "Why do I wear it?"
It's all for my own true love I never more will see.

[Verse]
He whispered, "Goodbye love, old Ireland is calling",
High over Dublin our tri-colour flies,
In the streets of the city the foeman is falling,
And wee birds are whistling, "Old Ireland, arise."

[Chorus]
For all around my hat I wear a tri-coloured ribbon, oh,
All around my hat until death comes to me,
And if anybody's asking me, "Why do I wear it?"
It's all for my own true love I never more will see.

[Verse]
In praying and watching, the dark hours passed over,
The roar of the guns brought no message to me,
I pray for my land, I pray for my lover,
That he might be saved and old Ireland be free.

[Chorus]
For all around my hat I wear a tri-coloured ribbon, oh,
All around my hat until death comes to me,
And if anybody's asking me, "Why do I wear it?"
It's all for my own true love I never more will see.

[Chorus]
For all around my hat I wear a tri-coloured ribbon, oh,
All around my hat until death comes to me,
And if anybody's asking me, "Why do I wear it?"
It's all for my own true love I never more will see.