Star of the County Down (Live Version) Lyrics

Near Banbridge Town, in the County Down

One morning in last July

Down a bóithrín green came a sweet cailín

And she smiled as she passed me by

She looked so neat, from her two bare feet

To the sheen of her nut-brown hair

Such a coaxing elf, sure I'd shake myself

To make sure I was standing there

From Bantry Bay, up to Derry Quay

From Galway to Dublin Town

No maid I've seen like the fair cailín

That I met in the County Down

As she onwards sped, sure I scratched my head

And I looked with a feeling queer

And I said, says I, to a passerby"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"

He smiled at me, and with pride says he"That'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, up to Derry Quay

From Galway to Dublin Town

No maid I've seen like the fair cailín

That I met in the County Down

She'd a soft brown eye, and a look so sly

And a smile like a rose in June

And you held each note from her auburn throat

As she lilted lamenting tunes

At the pattern dance you'd be in a trance

As she skipped through a jig or a reel

When her eyes she'd roll, as she'd lift your soul

And your heart she would likely steal

From Bantry Bay, up to Derry Quay

From Galway to Dublin Town

No maid I've seen like the fair cailín

That I met in the County Down

At the harvest fair, she'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 the nut-brown rose

No pipe I'll smoke, and no horse I'll yoke

'Til the rust in my plough turns brown

'Til my smiling bride, by my own fireside

Sits the star of the County Down

From Bantry Bay, up to Derry Quay

From Galway to Dublin Town

No maid I've seen like the fair cailín

That I met in the County Down

From Bantry Bay, up to Derry Quay

From Galway to Dublin Town

No maid I've seen like the fair cailín

That I met in the County Down