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
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
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
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
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
At the harvest fair
I'll be surely there
And I'll dress in
my Sunday clothes
With my shoes
shone bright
and my hat
cocked right
For a smile from the
nut-brown rose
No pipe I'll smoke
no horse I'll yoke
Though with rust my
plough turns brown
Till a smiling bride
by my own fireside
Sits the star of
the County Down
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
