The Star of the County Down

Near to Banbridge Town, in the County Down

One morning in July,

Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen,

And she smiled as she passed me by;

Oh, she looked so neat from her two white feet

To the sheen of her nut-brown hair,

Sure the coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself

To make sure I was standing there

Oh, 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 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."

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.

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.