Alan Kelly - The Star of the County Down Lyrics

Near Banbridge town, in the County Down
One morning in July
Down a bóithrín green came a sweet cailín
And she smiled as she passed me by
She looked so neat in her two bare 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 down to Derry Quay
From Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet cailín
That I met in the County Down

As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling queer
And I said, says I, to a passerby
Who's your one with the nut-brown hair
He smiled at me, and with pride says he
She's the gem of old Ireland's crown
Young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann
She's the star of the County Down

From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay
From Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet cailín
That I met in the County Down

Well I travelled a bit but I never was hit
Since my roving career began
Fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of young Rosie Mc Cann
A heart to let no tenant yet did I meet in a shawl or a gown
But in she went and I asked no rent from the star of the county Down

From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay
From Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet cailín
That I met in the County Down

At the crossroads thee I'll be surely there
And I'll dress my Sunday clothes
And I'll try sheeps eyes and deludering cries
On the heart of the nut brown rose
No horse I'll yoke, or pipe I smoke
Til the rust in my plough turn brown
And a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down
From Bantry Bay down to Derry Quay
From Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet cailín