Cragie Hills

It being in spring when the small birds were singing

Down by a shady harbour I carelessly did stray

Where the thrushes they were warbling

The violets were charming

To hear fond lovers talking while I did delay

She said my dear don't leave me for another season

If fortune does seem pleasing I'll go along with you

I'll forsake friends and relations

I'll quit this Irish nation

And to the bonny Bann Isles forever I'll bid adieu

He said my dear don't grieve me or you'll annoy my patience

You know I love you dearly the more I'm going away

I'm going to a foreign nation

To purchase a plantation

To comfort us hereafter all in Amerikay

Then after a short while if fortune does seem pleasing

T'will cause you for to smile at our late going away

We'll be happy as Queen Victoria

All in her greatest glory

We'll be drinking wine and porter all in Amerikay

The landlords and their agents, their books and their bailifs

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

Now we're sailing on the ocean

For honour and promotion

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

If you were in your bed lying and thinking upon dying

One sight of the bonny Bann banks, your sorrow would give o'er

Or if your were one hour

Down in yon shady bower

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

Then fare-you-well sweet Cragie Hills, where often times I roved

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

Now we're sailing on the ocean

For honour and promotion

While the bonny boats are sailing, down by Doon's shore