|
Banks
Of Claudy
As
I walked out one morning
All in the month of May
Down by a flowery garden
I carelessly did stray
I overheard a young maid
In sorrow did complain,
All for her absent lover
Who plows the raging main.
I boldly stepped up to her
And put her in surprise.
I know she did not know me
I being in disguise.
I says, "Me charming creature,
My joy, my hearts delight,
How far have you to travel
This dark and dreary night?"
"I'm in search of a faithless young man.
Johnny is his name.
And along the Banks of Claudy
I'm told be does remain."
"This is the Banks of Claudy
Fair maid where on you stand.
But don't depend on Johnny
For he's a false young man.
Oh don't depend on Johnny
For he'll not meet you here.
But tarry with me in yon green woods
No danger need you fear
Oh it's six long weeks or better
Since Johnny left the shore
He's crossing the wild ocean
Where the foam and the billows roar
He's crossing the wild ocean
For honour and for fame.
But this I've beard, the ship was wrecked
All on the coast of Spain."
Oh it's when she heard this dreadful news
She flew into despair
By the wringing of her milk white hands
And the tearing of her hair.
Saying "If Johnny he is drowned
No man on earth I'll take,
But through lonesome groves and valleys
I'll wander for his sake."
Oh it's when he saw her loyalty
No longer could he stand
He flew into her arms saying
"Betsy I'm the man."
"Saying Betsy I'm the young man
The cause of all your pain
But since we've met on Claudy Banks
We'll never part again."
|
Blacksmith
A
blacksmith courted me
Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart
Wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand
He looked quite clever
And if I was with my love
I'd live forever.
But where is my love gone
With his cheeks like roses
And his good black Billycock on
Decked round with primroses
I'm afraid the scorching sun
Will shine and burn his beauty
And if I was with my love
I'd do my duty.
Strange news is coming to town
Strange news is carried
Strange mews flies up and down
That my love is married.
I wish them both much joy
Though they can't hear me
And may God reward him well
For the slighting of me.
Don't you remember when
You lay beside me
And you said you'd marry me
And not deny me
If I said I'd marry you
It was only for to try you
So bring your witness love
And I'll not deny you.
No witness have I none
Save God Almighty
And may he reward you well
For the slighting of me
Her lips grew pale and wan
It made a poor heart tremble
To think she loved a one
And be proved deceitful.
A blacksmith courted me
Nine months and better
He fairly won my heart
Wrote me a letter
With his hammer in his hand
He looked quite clever
And if I was with my love
I'd live forever.
|
Carrighfergus
I
wish I was in Carrighfergus,
Only for nights in Ballygrant
I would swim over the deepest ocean,
Only for nights in Ballygrant.
But the sea is wide, and I can't get over.
And neither have I wings to fly,
Or if I could find me a handsome boatsman
To ferry me over to my love and die.
Now in Kilkenny, it is reported,
They've marble stones there as black as ink
With gold and silver I would transport her
But I'll sing no more now, till I get a drink.
I'm drunk today, but then I'm seldom sober.
A handsome rover from town to town.
Ah, but I am sick now, my days are over,
Come all you young lads and lay me down.
I wish I was in Carrighfergus,
Only for nights in Ballygran.
Come
By The Hills
Come
by the hills to the land where fancy is free
And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea
Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun
And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where life is a song
And sing while the birds fill the air with their joy all day long
Where the trees sway in time, and even the wind sings in tune
And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where legend remains
Where stories of old stir the heart and may yet come again
Where the past has been lost and the future is still to be won
And cares of tomorrow must wait till the day is done.
Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free
And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea
Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun
And cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done.
|
|
Kellswater
Here's
a health to you bonny Kellswater
Where you get all the pleasures of life
Where you get all the fishing and fowling
And a bonny wee lass for your wife.
Oh it's down where yon waters run muddy
I'm afraid they will never run clear
And it's when I begin for to study
My mind is on him that's not here.
And it's this one and that one may court him
But if any one gets him but me
It's early and late I will curse them
The parting lovely Willie from me.
Oh a father he calls on his daughter
Two choices I'll give unto thee
Would you rather see Willie's ship a sailing
See him hung like a dog on yonder tree.
Oh father, dear father, I love him
I can no longer bide it from thee
Through an acre of fire I would travel
Along with the lovely Willie to be.
Oh hard was the heartbreak I'm finding
She took from her full heart's delight
May the chains of old Ireland come find them
And softly their pillows at night.
Oh yonder there's a ship on the ocean
And she does not know which way to steer
From the east and the west she's a-blowing
She reminds me of the charms of my dear.
Oh it's yonder my Willie will be coming
He said he'd be here in the spring
And it's down by yon green shades I'll meet him
And among wild roses we'll sing.
For a gold ring be placed on my finger
Saying love bear this in your mind
If ever I sail from old Ireland
You'll mind I'll not leave you behind.
Here's a health to you bonny Kellswater
Where you get all the pleasures of life
Where you get all the fishing and fowling
And a bonny wee lass for your wife.
|
Lullaby
O
for a voice like thunder, and a tongue
To drown the throat of war! - When the senses
Are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness,
Who can stand? When the souls of the oppressed
Fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand?
When the whirlwind of fury comes from the
Throne of god, when the frowns of his countenance
Drive the nations together, who can stand?
When Sin claps his broad wings over the battle,
And sails rejoicing in the flood of Death;
When souls are torn to everlasting fire,
And fiends of Hell rejoice upon the slain.
O who can stand? O who hath caused this?
O who can answer at the throne of God?
The Kings and Nobles of the Land have done it!
Hear it not, Heaven, thy Ministers have done it!
|
She
Moved Through The Fair
My
love said to me
My Mother won't mind
And me Father won't slight you
For your lack of kind
Then she stepped away from me
And this she did say
It will not be long love
Till our wedding day
She stepped away from me
And she moved through the fair
And fondly I watched her
Move here and move there
And she went her way homeward
With one star awake
As the swans in the evening
Move over the lake
The people were saying
No two e'er were wed
But one has a sorrow
That never has a sorrow
That never was said
And she smiled as she passed me
With her goods and her gear
And that was the last
That I saw of my dear.
I dreamed it last night
That my true love came in
So softly she entered
Her feet made mo din
she came close beside me
And this she did say
It would not be long love
Till our wedding day.
|