Here's a piercing wintry breeze Blowing through the budding trees And I button up my coat to keep me warm But the days are on the mend And I'm on the road again With my fiddle snuggled close beneath my arm I've a fine, felt hat And a strong pair of brogues I have rosin in my pocket for my bow O my fiddle strings are new And I've learned a tune or two So, I'm well prepared to ramble and must go I'm as happy as a king When I catch a breath of spring And the grass is turning green as winter ends And the geese are on the wing And the thrushes start to sing And I'm headed down the road to see my friends I have friends in every town As I wander up and down Making music at the markets and the fairs Through the donkeys and the creels And the farmers making deals And the yellow headed tinkers selling wares Here's a health to one and all To the big and to the small To the rich and poor alike and foe and friends And when I return again May our foes have turned to friends And may peace and joy be with you until then