Síle Ní Ghaidhre Lyrics

T'was by the banks of a clear flowing stream

That first I accosted that comely young dame

And in great confusion I did ask her name

"Are you Flora, Aurora or the famed Queen of Tyre?"

She answered, "I'm neither, I'm Síle Ní Ghaidhre"

"Go rhyming rogue, let my flocks roam in peace

You won't find amongst them the famed Golden Fleece

The tresses of Helen, that goddess of Greece

Have hanked round your heart like a doll of desire

Be off to your spéirbhean," said Síle Ní Ghaidhre

"May the sufferings of Sisyphus fall to my share

And may I the torments of Tantalus bear

To the dark land of Hades my soul fall an heir

Without linnet in song or a note on the lyre

If e'er I'd prove false to you, Síle Ní Ghaidhre"

"And had I the wealth of the Orient store

All the gems of Peru or the Mexican ore

Or the hand of a Midas to mould o'er and o'er

Bright bracelets of gold or of flaming sapphire

I would robe you in splendour my Síle Ní Ghaidhre"