It's of a young damsel both fair and handsome
These lines are true as I been told
On the banks of Shannon in a lofty mansion
Her father's claimed great stores of gold
Her hair was black as the raven's feather
Her form and features, dissemble who can
There was a fella worked on the station
She fell in love with that serving man
As Mary-Anne and her lover were walking
Her father heard them and nearer drew
And as these two lovers were truly walking
In anger home her father flew
To build a dungeon was his intention
To part true lovers, contrive a plan
He swore an oath and vowed to mention
He'd part his daughter from her serving man
So he built him a dungeon of bricks and mortar
With a flight of steps it was underground
The food that he gave her was bread and water
And only a chair for her was found
Three times a day he cruelly beat her
Until at length she in anger sang
"If I have transgressed, my own dear father
I'll live and die for my serving man"
Young Edwin found her habitation
Was well secured by an iron door
He vowed in spite of all the nation
He'd gain her freedom or rest no more
At the ground he soon got ready
With pick and crowbar he soon began
And with his plan he got in the dungeon
And there he found his sweet Mary-Anne
Soon as he found that his daughter had vanished
Just like a lion her father roar
He cried, "From Ireland I'll have you banished
And with my broadsword I'll spill your gore"
Then said young Edwin, "You see me ready
For now I've found her, do all you can
Forgive your daughter with a loyal pleasure
The one to blame is your serving man"
When the old man saw him so tender-hearted
Straight he fell down on the dungeon floor
Cries, "Surely true love will laugh at locksmiths?
For love can break down an iron door"