Near Banbridge town, in the County Down One morning last July Down a bóithrín green came a sweet colleen And she smiled as she passed me by. Oh she looked so sweet from her two bare feet To the sheen of her nut brown hair Such a coaxing elf, that i pinched myself For to see i was standing there.
Chorus: And 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 when i scratched my head And I looked with a feeling rare And I said, says I, to a passerby "Who's that maid with the nut-brown hair?" He smiled at me, and he said, says he, "She'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
well I've travelled a bit, but i've never been hit Since my roving career began But fair and square I surrendered there To the charms of young Rose McCann. with a heart to let and no tenant yet Did I meet with in shawl or gown But in she went and I asked no rent From the star of the County Down.