One evening, as I stray’d down the river’s side, Looking all around me, as an Irish girl I spied, Red and rosy were her cheeks, and coal-black was her hair, And costly were the robes, which my Irish girl did wear. 
Her shoes of Spanish leather, were bound with spangles high, The crystal tears came down her eyes and she began to cry, Och, hone, alas! asthore! mavourneen gal mechree! Why should you go and leave me, and slight you own Molly? 
The first time that I saw my love, I was sick and very bad, All the request that I asked was that she might tie my head, I asked her if one as bad as me could ever mend again, For love’s a sore disorder--did you ever feel the pain? 
My love she’ll not come nigh me for all the moan make, Nor neither will she pity me, if my poor heart should break. But was I of some noble blood, and she of low degree, She would hear my lamentation, and come and pity me. 
My only love is fairer than the lilies that do grow, She has a voice that’s clearer than any winds that blow; She’s the promise of this country, like Venus in the air, And let her go where’er she will, she’s my joy and only dear. 
Be it so or be it not, of her I take my chance, The first time that I saw my love, she struck me in a trance: Her ruby lips and sparkling eyes have so bewitched me, That was I king of Ireland, queen of it she should be. 
I wish I was a butterfly on my love’s breast I’d lie, Or was I but a linnet, how I would sing and fly, Or if I was a corn creak, I’d sing till morning clear, I would sit and sing for Molly, for once I loved her dear. 
If my love was a red rose in yonder garden fair, And I to be the gardener, of her I would take care, There’s not a day thro’ out the year, but my love I would renew With flowers fine I’d garnish, with sweet-william thyme and rue 
If I was in Monaghan, and sitting on the grass, And in my hand a bottle, and on my knee a lass: I’d call for liquors plenty, and I’d pay before I go, Come on they say, my brave boy’s, let the wind blow high or low. 
file from: www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
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