The men of Claddagh village
Were out upon the sea
Fishing for some food
To feed their families

For there were many dangers
On the fishing trip
But of these few the greatest
A Spanish pirate ship

The pirates did appear once
On that fateful day
They captured all the men
And hurried them away

Along the distant shores
From upon the rolling waves
And sold them to a goldsmith
To spend their lives as slaves

Young Richard was the saddest
For he had left behind
A girl that he loved dearly
So tender and so kind

For many years had passed
And poor Richard felt the pain
A pain that he would never see
His one true love again

To keep his spirits up
And to keep hope in his heart
Each day he stole a speck of gold
And made into art

And with the tiny pieces
He made a golden ring
To give it to his love one day
To make her true heart sing

And then the day had finally come
When all the men were free
To start their trip to Ireland
Upon the rolling sea

And Richard's heart lept with joy
When finally he did learn
His love had stayed faithful
On wait of his return

For it was on that day
After so many years
After all the hardship
After all the tears

That Richard held his loved one
And made her true heart sing
He gave to her his work of love
The beautiful Claddagh Ring
The beautiful Claddagh Ring
The beautiful Claddagh Ring