| I grew up in Ireland in dear old Dublin town |
| Brought up by a people who’d let nothin' get 'em down |
| I was thought while still a child to stand up for me rights |
| Prepare to face the devil that would plague me in my life |
| I served a long apprenticeship at very honest trade |
| And met so many devils of whom I felt afraid |
| But father’s words came back to me when I wanted to back down |
| I looked each divil in the eye and boldly stood me ground |
| Chorus: |
| Stand up to your devils or they’ll walk over you |
| Remember, son, the devils come in many shapes and hues |
| There’s devil that is handsome, the devil that is mean |
| Some of them look scruffy and some look far too clean |
| I tried me hand at courtin' an' women found me sweet |
| Until I met McKenna who knocked me off me feet |
| Oh, Lord, was she a lover with a temper of a shrew |
| She not just knocked off me feet, she knocked me black and blue |
| Sure she was a devil dressed up in Angel’s guise |
| When you’d least expect a clout she’d hit you 'tween the eyes |
| She started talkin' marriage each time she looked at me |
| I felt 'twas time I got to know the divils of the sea |
| Chorus |
| I waved my hand and said goodbye as ship pulled from the quay |
| Adventure layed before me and so did seven seas |
| I travelled many ocean miles and found from east to west |
| The devils you are safest with are those that you know best |