Near 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
She looked so sweet from her two white feet
To the sheen of her nut brown hair
Such a coaxing elf I'd to shake myself
To make sure I was standing there
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet 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
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in 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
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in 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
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down