Near Banbridge town, in the County Down
One morning last July
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen
And she smiled as she passed me by. Oh she looked so sweet from her two bare feet To the sheen of her nut brown hair Such a coaxing elf, sure I shook myself To be sure I was really there.
Chorus: And from Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay And from Galway to Dublin town No maid I've seen like the brown colleen That I met in the County Down.
As she onward sped I shook my 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 Ireland's crown. She's young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann She's the star of the County Down."
Chorus
I've travelled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving 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 in shawl or gown But in she went and I asked no rent From the star of the County Down.
Chorus
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'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.