Craigie Hill

It being in spring and the small birds they were singing

Down by a shady arbour I carelessly did stray

Where the thrushes they were warbling, the violets were charming

For to view two lovers talking a while I did delay

She said, "My dear, don't leave me all for another season

Though fortune may be pleasing I'll go along with you

I'll leave friends and relations and quit this Irish nation

And to the bonnie Bann banks forever I'll bid adieu"

He said, "My dear, don't grieve me or yet annoy my patience

You know I love you dearly although I'm going away

I'm going to some foreign nation to purchase a plantation

For to comfort us hereafter all in America."

The landlords and their agents, their bailiffs and their beagles

The land of our forefathers we're forced for to give o'er

And we're sailing on the ocean for honor and promotion

And we're parting with our sweethearts, it's them we do adore

If you were in your bed lying and thinking of dying

One sight of the bonny Bann banks, your sorrows you'd give o'er

And if your were but one hour all in her shady bower

Pleasure would surround you, you'd think on death no more

So fare thee well, sweet Craigie Hill, where oftentimes I have roved in

I never thought in my childhood days I'd part you any more

But we're sailing on the ocean for honour and promotion

And the bonny boat's a-sailing way down by Doorin's shore