The Irish Girl

THE IRISH GIRL Source: “The Maine Woods Songster” edited by Phillips Barry, 1939 As I roved out one evening down by the river side A looking all around me an Irish girl I spied So red and rosy were her cheeks and yellow was her hair And costly were the robes of gold my Irish girl did wear Now the first time that I saw my love I was sick and feeling bad The only request I asked of her was that she might tie my head I asked if one as bad as me could ever mind again But love is a sore disorder, did you ever feel the pain (Ch) Let the wind blow high and low my boys let the seas run mountains high It is the seamen’s duty the helm to stand by My love she’ll not come near me for all the moan I make And neither will she pity me though my poor heart should break But if I were of some noble blood and she of a lower degree She’d hear my lamentation and come and care for me (Ch) My only love is fairer than the lilies that do roam She has voice that’s clearer than any wind that blows She’s the promise of this country like Venus in the air And let her go wherever she will, she’s my joy and only dear (Ch) And if I were a butterfly I’d light on my love’s breast And if I were a linnet I’d sing my love to rest And if I were a nightingale I’d sing till the morning clear For once I loved her dearly she’s my joy and only dear --- The Irish Girl - Lissa Schneckenburger