There are wild and rocky hills on the coast of Donegal And her fishermen are hardy, brave and free And the big Atlantic swell is a thing they know right well As they fight to take a living from the sea
Chorus: With a pleasant rolling sea and the herring running free And the fleet all riding gently through the foam When the boats are loaded down, there'll be singing in the town When the boys of Killybegs come rolling home
Well, you don your rubber boots and you've got your oilskins on And you check your gear to see that it's okay And your jumper keeps you warm, for it's cold before the dawn Then you're ready to begin another day
Chorus
Now, you're headed out to sea and the wind is blowing free And you cast your nets as rain begins to fall But, the sun comes riding high and the clouds will soon roll by And today you'll maybe take a bumper haul
Chorus
When the weather's blowing rough, then the work is very tough And the ropes will raise the welts upon your hands But you'll never leave the sea, for whoever you may be When it's in your blood, it's hard to live on land
Chorus
Oh, there's purple on the hills and there's green down by the shore And the sun has spilled his gold upon the sea And there's silver down below, where the herring fishes go When we catch them, we'll have gold for you and me