Star Of County Down - The High Kings

Near Banbgidge town in the County Down

one evening past July

Down a boreen Green came a sweet colleen

and she smiled as she passed me by

she looked so sweet in her two white feet

to the sheen of her hut-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 smy 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 Irelands 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 riving 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 a shawl or gown

but in she went and I asked no rent

from the star of the County Down

From bantry bay on 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 crossroads fair I’ll be surely there

and I’ll dress in my Sunday clothes

and I’ll try sheeps 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

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.

End