Key: G
Introduction:
Em G D
Near to Banbridge Town, in the County Down
Em D
One morning in July,
Em G D
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen,
Em Am Em
And she smiled as she passed me by
G D
Oh, she looked so neat from her two white feet
Em Am D
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair,
Em G D
Sure the coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself
Em Am Em
To make sure I was standing there
G D
Oh, from Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay,
Em D
And from Galway to Dublin town,
Em G D
No maid I've seen like the brown colleen
Em Am Em
That I met in the County Down.
Em G D
As she onward sped I shook my head
Em D
And I gazed with a feeling quare,
Em G D
And I said, says I, to a passer-by,
Em Am Em
"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"
G D
Oh, he smiled at me, and with pride says he,
Em Am D
"That's the gem of Ireland's crown,
Em G D
She's young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann,
Em Am Em
She's the Star of the County Down."
Em G D
I've travelled a bit, but never was hit
Em D
Since my roving career began
Em G D
But fair and square I surrendered there
Em Am Em
To the charms of young Rose McCann.
G D
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet
Em Am D
Did I meet with in shawl or gown,
Em G D
But in she went and I asked no rent
Em Am Em
From the Star of the County Down.
Em G D
At the crossroads fair I'll be surely there
Em D
And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
Em G D
And I'll try sheep's eyes, and deludhering lies
Em Am Em
On the heart of the nut-brown Rose.
G D
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Em Am D
Though with rust my plow turns brown,
Em G D
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Em Am Em
Sits the Star of the County Down.