[Intro] Raise the latch, the night is cold Pour the red and pass the gold [Verse 1] My boots are wet from the northern road My coat still bears the heather's load I traded a coin for a bitter draught And found three thieves who laughed and laughed [Pre-Chorus] The landlord pounds the table twice The fiddle cuts like winter ice [Chorus] Ho, Black Mary, turn the cup If you fall down, we pull you up Stamp your heels till the rafters ring Tonight the crooked crows all sing Ho, Black Mary, raise it high Toast the storm and dare the sky When the old bell groans at dawn We’ll be gone before the banns are drawn [Verse 2] A sailor swears he wrestled the sea A mason claims the throne for free The barmaid grins with a knife at her side And keeps the best of the ale behind [Pre-Chorus] The pipes wake up, the benches sway No honest soul gets home today [Chorus] Ho, Black Mary, turn the cup If you fall down, we pull you up Stamp your heels till the rafters ring Tonight the crooked crows all sing Ho, Black Mary, raise it high Toast the storm and dare the sky When the old bell groans at dawn We’ll be gone before the banns are drawn [Bridge] For every road that took our name For every friend who fed the flame For every heart that would not kneel We drink until the hinges squeal [Instrumental] [Fiddle reel, stomping claps, low bagpipe drone] [Final Chorus] Ho, Black Mary, turn the cup If you fall down, we pull you up Stamp your heels till the rafters ring Tonight the crooked crows all sing Ho, Black Mary, raise it high Toast the storm and dare the sky When the old bell groans at dawn We’ll be gone before the banns are drawn [Outro] Latch it tight, the crows have flown Leave one red cup by the stone Ho, Black Mary—laugh and sing Till the frost takes everything
