In a shady nook one moonlit night, 
A leprechaun I spied 
In scarlet coat and cap of green, 
A cruiskeen by his side. 
Twas tick, tack, tick, his hammer went, 
Upon a weeny shoe, 
And I laughed to think of a purse of gold, 
But the fairy was laughing too.

With tiptoe step and beating heart, 
Quite softly I drew nigh. 
There was mischief in his merry face, 
A twinkle in his eye; 
He hammered and sang with tiny voice, 
And sipped the mountian dew; 
Oh! I laughed to think he was caught at last, 
But the fairy was laughing too.

As quick as thought I grasped the elf, 
"You're fairy purse," I cried, 
"My purse?" he said, "tis in her hand, 
That lady by your side." 
I turned to look, the elf was off, 
And what was I to do? 
Oh! I laughed to think what a fool I'd been, 
And, the fairy was laughing too.