V.1 Near Banbridge town, in the county down
One morning last July
Down a boreen green, came a sweet colleen
& she smiled as she pa**ed me by
Br.1 She looked so neat from her two white feet
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair
-Such a coaxing elf, sure, I shook myself
Just to see I was really there!
Ch. From Bantry bay, up to Derry quay
From Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down
V.2 As she onward sped, sure I scratched my head
& I looked with a feeling rare
& I says, says I, to a pa**er-by
Whos the maid with the nut-brown hair?
Br.2 He smiled at me, & he says, says he
Shes the gem in Irelands crown
Young Rosie McCann from banks of the Bann
Shes the star of the County Down!
Ch.> From Bantry bay, etc
V.3 At the harvest fair, shell surely be there
So I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
& I'll try sheep's eyes & deludherin lies
On the heart of my nut-brown Rose
Br.3 No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Though my plough with rust turns brown
Til a smilin bride by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down
Ch.(x4)> from Bantry bay, etc