IF I WERE A BLACKBIRD
(Traditional - Arthur Darley / Delia Murphy)

Ronnie Ronald

Also recorded by : Josef Locke; Delia Murphy; Carmel Quinn.


(Bird Calls)

If I were a blackbird, I'd whistle and sing
I'd follow the ship that my true love sails in,
And on the top rigging I'd there build my nest
And pillow my head on her lily white breast


*****


IF I WERE A BLACKBIRD
(Alister & Judson Armstrong, ca. 1950)

Helen Creighton


I once knew a maiden, a maiden so rare
Fell in love with a sailor, a young sailor beau,
She courted him dearly, by night and by day
Til at length this young sailor, he sailed far away

Chorus
And if I were a blackbird, I'd whistle and sing
I'd follow the ship that my true love sails in,
And on the top rigging I'd there build my nest
And I'd fly like a seagull to his lily white breast

My true love is handsome in every degree
My parents despise him because he loves me
Well, let them despise him, or say what they will
While there's life in my bosom, I'll love the lad still (Chorus)

If I were a scholar, I could handle a pen
One long, loving letter unto him I'd send
I'd tell him my sorrow, my grief and my woes
If I could but find him I'd crown him with gold (Chorus)

(More Bird Calls)

I’m just a young sailor and my story is sad
For once I was happy and a brave sailor lad
I courted a lassie by night and by day
But now she has left me and gone far away

(Orchestral Interlude with Bird Calls)

And pillow my head on her lily white breast
Whistle and sing, whistle and sing
I’ll follow the ship that my true love sails in





(Contributed by Bill Huntley - January 2005)


IF I WERE A BLACKBIRD


DELIA MURPHY

If I were a blackbird, I'd whistle and sing
And I'd follow the ship that my true love sails in
And on the top rigging I'd there build my nest
And I'd pillow my head on his lily white breast.

I am a young maiden and my story is sad
For once I was courted by a brave sailor lad,
He courted me truly by night and by day,
But now he has left me and gone far away.

He promised to take me to Donnybrook Fair
To buy me red ribbons to tie up my hair,
And I know that some day he'll come back o'er the tide,
And surely he'll make me his own loving bride.

His parents they chide me and will not agree
That I and my sailor boy married should be,
But let them deride me and do what they will,
While there's breath in my body he's the one I love still.

If I were a blackbird, I'd whistle and sing
And I'd follow the ship that my true love sails in,
And on the top rigging I'd there build my nest,
And I'd pillow my head on his lily white breast.




(Contributed by Yvonne Gillson - January 2011)