THE MAID WITH THE BONNY BROWN HAIR
(Irish - Traditional - 19th Cent.)


Cathal McConnel & The Boys From The Lough - 1973
Steve Tilston & Maggie Boyle - 1996
Phil Callery - 2000





As once I roved out very early
To view the green meadows in Spring
It was down by the side of a river
I heard a fair damsel did sing

And I stood in completest amazement
I gazed on that maiden so fair
She appeared to me brighter than Venus
That maid with the bonny brown hair

Her eyes they did shine like diamonds
Her cheeks like the red rose in June
Her skin was as white as the lily
And her breath had the rarest perfume

And a dress of the best speckled velvet
This charming wee lass she did wear
And chains of bright gold and pure silver
Were twined in her bonny brown hair

For a long while we courted together
Till at last we named the wedding day
And one day while conversing together
Very kindly to me she did say

"O, it's I have another far kinder
My land and my fortune to share
So farewell to you now and forever"
Said the maid with the bonny brown hair

As I walked down by the river
I spied a ship from the proud land of Spain 
They were singing and dancing with pleasure
But mine was a heart full of pain

And as the ship sailed down the river
I espied my old sweetheart so fair
Quite content in the arms of another
Was the maid with the bonny brown hair

So farewell to my friends and relations
Perchance I shall see you no more
And when I'm in far distant nations
Sure I'll sigh for my dear native shore

When I'm in some far distant nation
My land and my fortune to share
I hope I'll get someone more kinder
Than the maid with the bonny brown hair


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ALTERNATE 6th VERSE:

And once I went over the ocean
Being bound for the proud land of Spain
Some singing and dancing for pleasure
But I had a heart full of pain


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(Contributed by Mel - June 2009)