"Wild Slieve Gallen Brae" lyrics

Oh once I loved a damsel but alas she proved untrue
When I thought to climb yon mountain my thoughts of her to view
Now whether it was magic or enchantment led the way
Til at length I reached the summit of wild Slieve Gallen Brae

Twas there I rested wearied limbs and mused upon the past
But the beauty of the countryside soon changed my thoughts at last
The hills of County Antrim and the waters of Lough Neagh
To me they shone like diamonds from wild Slieve Gallen Brae

I viewed the moss and heather along her rugged sides
And fields of golden barley where the timid rabbit hides
And down the silent valley where the Bann does wind its way
Through Portglenone and Moneyglass from wild Slieve Gallen Brae

And over in the heather beneath a hazel tree
I spied a lovely lassie there who came and sat by me
Says she I'm here lamenting a false young man today
And he's left me here to wander on wild Slieve Gallen Brae

Now love can make the heart to grieve and love can set it free
The lass I met upon the brae has captivated me
Providence was kind to me and I'll never forget the day
When first I saw her smiling face on wild Slieve Gallen Brae