The Wee Red-headed Man is a knowing sort of fellow.
His coat is cat's-eye green and his pantaloons are yellow.
His brogues are made of glass and his hose are red as cherry—
He's the lad for devilment, if you only make him merry.

He drives a flock of goats, has another flock behind him—
The little children fear him, but the old folk never mind him.
To the frogs' house and the goats' house and the hilly land and hollow,
He will carry naughty children where their parents dare not follow.

Oh! little ones, beware. If the red-haired man should catch you,
Rats will be your playmates and frogs and eels will watch you—
A bed between two rocks and not a fire to warm you!—
But, little ones, be good and the red-haired man can't harm you.

The Wee Red-headed Man has piles and piles of riches,
Guineas in his wallet and the pockets of his britches,
And if you're very poor and meet him, he is willing
To bargain for your soul if you'll sell it for a shilling.

He's cute and he is coaxing and hard although he's civil—
But let him get your soul and he'll give it to the devil,
And when the devil gets it (the devil's hoof is cloven)
He'll spit it and he'll steam it and he'll roast it in an oven.

But, children, if the Red-haired Man comes up to you, don't worry,
Just say, “Excuse me, sir, to-day, for I am in a hurry!”
He'll say, “Be off!” Then shake your heels; let one leg race the other
And never turn to look behind, till you get home to mother!