Limerick Rake

"Limerick Rake" is a traditional Irish song whose composer is disputed. The lyrics are set to the tune of an unknown earlier song. The lyrics likely date to the late 18th century, as attested by the use of the place-name "Castletown Conyers" (which was still seen referred to by its former name "Castletown McEnyry" as late as 1763) and the mention of the deaths of Lord Devonshire (1764) and John Damer (1776).

The song appeared in Colm Ó Lochlainn's 1939 publication Irish Street Ballads and has been recorded by a number of notable artists.

The song's narrator is a young rake whose parents rebuked him. He is literate and relatively well-educated, but he is more interested in girls than working. He claims to not be interested in riches, pointing out that wealthy men and misers are also mortal, and mentioning examples of men whose gold did not prevent their deaths.

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