{The star of the county down}

Near Banbridge town, in the County Down
One morning in July
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen
And she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so sweet from her two white feet
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair
Such a coaxing elf, I´d to shake myself
To make sure I was standing there.
Chorus
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I´ve seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.

As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling rare
And I said, says I, to a passerby
"Who´s the maid with the nut-brown hair?"
He smiled at me, and with pride says he,
"That´s the gem of Ireland´s crown.
She´s young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann
She´s the star of the County Down."

Chorus

I´ve travelled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of young Rose McCann.
I´d a heart to let and no tenant yet
Did I meet with in shawl or gown
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the star of the County Down.

Chorus

At the crossroads fair I´ll be surely there
And I´ll dress in my Sunday clothes
And I´ll try sheep´s eyes, and deludhering lies
On the heart of the nut-brown rose.
No pipe I´ll smoke, no horse I´ll yoke
Though with rust my plow turns brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down.

Chorus