County down

Em G D

1. Near Banbridge Town in the County Down
Em Hm

One morning last July,
Em G D

Down a Boreen green came a sweet colleen,
Em Em

And she smiled as she passed me by.
G D

She looked so sweet from her two bare feet;
G Em Hm

To the sheen of her nut-brown hair,
Em G D

Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself,
Em Em

For to see I was really there.

G D

Chorus: From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
G Em Hm

And from Galway to Dublin town,
Em G D

No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
Em 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 lilted an Irish tune.

As the pattern dance you were held in a trance

As she tripped through a reel or a jig,

And when her eyes she´d roll, she´d coax, upon my soul,

A spud from a hungry pig.

Chorus:

4. I've travelled a bit, but never was hit

Since my roving career began;

But fair and square I surrendered thee

To the charms of young Rose 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.

Chorus:

5. At the cross roads 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'll 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.

Chorus: