Full Lyrics
He who seeks to tame the wind,
Or soothe the blustering sea;
His labour but in vain shall find,
His toil shall wasted be.
So he who fears mischance of fate,
Or trembles at Dame Fortune’s frown,
Needs must sing, or soon or late,
Hey derry, derry down!
He likewise that goes about
To please each eye and will,
A golden gift, without a doubt,
Should carry with him still;
For fawning flatterers come to fall,
And witless words win no renown,
But this burden endeth all,
Hey down, hey derry down!
He that dwells within the door
Of quiet and content,
Who little owns, yet asks no more,
Whose mind is innocent;
Sure he alone, when stormy chance,
Doth shake and topple king and crown,
Ne’er with rueful countenance
Sings down, hey derry down!
