Star of the County Down

Near to Banbridge Town, in the County Down
One morning last July
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen
And she smiled as she passed me by;
Well, 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 make sure I was really 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, sure I shook my head
And I looked with a feeling rare
Then I said, says I, to a passer-by
«Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?»
Well, he smiled at me, and with pride says he
«That's the gem of old Ireland’s crown
She’s young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann
She’s the Star of the County Down.»
Well I’ve traveled a bit, but ne’er was hit
Since my roving career began;
Then 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 see in shawl or gown
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the Star of the County Down
At the harvest fair, I’ll be surely there
And I’ll dress in my Sunday clothes
With my shoes shone bright, and my hat cocked right
For a smile from my nut-brown Rose
No pipe I’ll smoke, and 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