G         C          G               D
I grew up in Ireland in dear old Dublin town

G               C                G                D
brought up by a people who`d let nothing get them down

Em                 C                G               D
I was taught while still a child to stand up for me rights

Em                  C                G               D
Prepare to face the devil that would plague me in my life

verse 2:

I served a long apprenticeship a very honest trade
and met so many devils of whom I felt afraid
But fathers words came back to me when I wanted to back down
I looked each devil in the eye and boldly stood me ground

Chorus:

         G               C         G                 D               
        Stand up to your devils or they`ll walk over you
           G               C              G               D
        remember, son, the devils come in many shapes and hues
                Em            C             G             D
        There`s devil that is handsome, the devil that is mean
        Em                C           G                 D   
        Some of them look scruffy and some look far too clean

verse 3:

I tried me hand at courting and women found me sweet
Until I met McKenna who knocked me off my feet
Oh Lord was she a lover with a temper of a shrew
She not just knocked me off me feet, she knocked me black and blue

verse 4:

Sure she was a devil dressed up in Angel`s guise
When you`d least expect a cloud she`d hit you `tween the eyes
She started talking marriage each time she looked at me
I felt 'twas time I got to know the devils of the sea

- chorus

verse 5:

I waved my hand and said goodbye as ship pulled from the quay
Adventure layed before me and so did seven seas
I travelled many ocean miles and found from east to west 
The devils you are safest with are those that you know best