Star of the County Down

Lyrics Near to Banbridge town, in the County Down, One morning in July, Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen And she smiled as she passed me by; Oh, she Looked so sweet from her two white feet, To the sheen of her nut - brown hair, Sure the coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself, To make sure I was standing there.

Chorus Oh, 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 I shook my head And I gazed with a feeling quare, And I said, ' says I to a passer -by. , Who's the maid with the nut - brown hair? ' Oh, he smiled at me, and with pride says he, , That's the gem of Ireland's crown. She's young Rosie McCann, from the banks of the Bann She's the star of the County Down. '

Chorus

She'd a soft brown eye and a look so sly, And a smile like the rose in June, And you hung on each note from her lily -white throat, As she lilted an Irish tune. At the pattern dance you were held in trance As she tripped through a reel or jig, And when to roll her eyes She'd, She'd coax upon my soul A spud from a hungry pig.

Chorus

I've traveled a bit, but never was hit, Since my roving career began; But fair and square I surrendered there To the charm of young Rose McCann. With a heart to let and no tenant yet Did I meet within shawl or gown But in she went and I asked no rent From the star of the County Down.

Chorus

At the harvest fair I'll be surely there And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes, And I'll try sheep 's eyes and read deludhering On the heart of the nut - brown Rose. No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke Though my plow with rust turns brown Till a smiling bride by my own fireside Sits the Star of the County Down.

Chorus

The song The Star of the County Down is an Irish ballad of Cathal Mac Garvey ( 1866-1927 ). The melody is documented under the name Gilderoy much older and already published in the 1726 book " Music for Allan Ramsay 's Collection of Scots Songs " by Alexander Stuart. At the same tune, there are many more songs, including My Love Nell, Divers and Lazarus, The Murder of Maria Martin, Mary from Blackwater Side, When first I left old Ireland.

The rhyme scheme of the song is remarkable, since not only the lines rhyme in pairs (cross- rhyme), but in each case are currently Inreime in rows 1, 3, 5 and 7.

The song is sung from the point of view of a young man out of a young woman named Rose McCann hits, which is called "Star of the County Down."

From the song, there is also a German version with the title one morning.

Recordings

"The Star of the County Down " was recorded by many bands from the folk scene and also from others:

  • The Irish Rovers
  • The Pogues
  • The Chieftains
  • Fiddler's Green
  • Slainte
  • Caledonix
  • Van Morrison
  • The Flash Girls
  • Yo- Yo Ma
  • Neck
  • Larry Mathews
  • Orthodox Celts
  • Energy Orchard, hard rock version
  • Ehud Banai, a version in Hebrew
  • Bardic
  • Loreena McKennitt
  • Flying Pigs with Wings Juicy
  • Rapalje
  • Switchback ( band )
  • Marc Gunn
  • Oysterband
  • Black Velvet Band
  • Cromdale
  • Feuerschwanz, same tune other text ( Holdste Maid )
  • Celtas Cortos
  • Wunakina
  • Lyriel
  • Connemara Stone Company
  • The High Kings
  • Fleadh
River Bann Larry Mathews (musician)
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