"The Star Of The County Down" lyrics

In Banbridge Town in the County Down
One morning last July
By a bóithrín green met a sweet cailín
She smiled as she passed me by
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 see I was really there

From Bantry Bay up to Derry's Quay
From Galway to Dublin Town
No maid I've seen like the fair cailín
That I met in the County Down

As she onward sped, sure I scratched me head
And I looked with a feelin' rare
And I said, says I, to a passer-by
"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair"?
He smiled at me and he said to thee:
"She's the gem of Ireland's crown
Young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann
She's the star of the County Down"

From Bantry Bay up to Derry's Quay
From Galway to Dublin Town
No maid I've seen like the fair cailín
That I met in the County Down

I've travelled a bit, but never was smit
Since my roving career began
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of Rosie McCann
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet
Had her met in a 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's Quay
From Galway to Dublin Town
No maid I've seen like the fair cailín
That I met in the County Down

At the Harvest Fair she'll be surely there
And I'll dress in me Sunday clothes
With me shoes shone bright and me hat cocked right
For a smile from the nut brown rose
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Till my plough is a rust colored brown
Till a smiling bride by me own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down

From Bantry Bay up to Derry's Quay
From Galway to Dublin Town
No maid I've seen like the fair cailín
That I met in the County Down

From Bantry Bay up to Derry's Quay
From Galway to Dublin Town
No maid I've seen like the fair cailín
That I met in the County Down