Erin's Green Shores

On a bright summer's evening I rambled
Along by a clear, purling stream
All down by the banks of primroses,
When I quickly fell in a dream.

I dreamed I saw a fair damsel,
Her equal I'd never seen before,
he seemed to sigh for her country
As she strayed along Erin's green shores

Her cheeks were two blooming roses,
Teeth of an ivory so white,
Eyes were like two sparkling diamonds
Or a star on a cold winter's night.

She was dressed in the richest of tidings,
Green was the mantle she wore,
Bound round with shamrocks and roses
That growed along Erin's green shores.

Modestly I stepped to the fair maiden,
Boldly I asked her her name,
Knowed she were in the midst of great danger,
Or I would not have asked her the same

"I'm the daughter of Dan'l O'Connor,
From England I've lately sailed o'er,
Come to warn my true brothers
Of the dangers along Erin's green shores. "

She was dressed in the richest of tidings,
Green was the mantle she wore,
Bound round with shamrocks and roses
That growed along Erin's green shores.

When I woke from my slumber,
Found that all but a dream,
Found the dear one had left me,
I longed to be slumbering again.

May the great God of Heaven direct her,
I may never see her no more,
May the great God of Heaven protect her
As she strays along Erin's green shores.

She was dressed in the richest of tidings,
And green was the mantle she wore,
Bound round with shamrocks and roses
That growed along Erin's green shores.

From Folk Songs of the Catskills, Cazden Haufrecht and Studer
Collected from George Edwards
DT #535
Laws Q27
RG