Star of the County Down (T)


4/4

Em G D
1. Near to Banbridge town, in the county Down,
Em D
one morning in July.
Em G D
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen
Em C D Em
and she smiled as she passed me by;
G D
Oh, she looked so neat from her two white feet,
Em Hm
to the sheen oh her nut-brown hair
Em G D
Sure the coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself,
Em C D Em
to make sure I was standing there.

G D
Ref: Oh from Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay,
Em Hm
and from Galway to Dublin town,
Em G D
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen,
Em A D Em
that I met in the county Down.

2. As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling quare,
"And I said", says I to a passer-by,
"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"
Oh, 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."

3. She'd a soft brown eye and a look so sly,
And a smile like the rose in June,
And you hang on each note from her lily-white throat,
As she lifted an irish tune.
At the pattern dance you were held in trance
As she tripped through a reel or jig,
And when her eyes she'd roll, she'd coax upon my soul
A spud from a hungry pig.

4. I've travelled a bit, but never was hit,
Since my roving career began;
But fair and square I surrendered thee
To the charm of young Rosie McCann
With a heart to let and no tenant yet,
Did I meet within shawl or gown,
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the Star of the County Down.

5. 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 smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Though my plough with rust turns brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the Star of the County Down.

Worte und Weise: Irish traditional

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