Star of the County Down

Trad. irlandese, XVIII secolo

Questa ballata si trova nella raccolta "Irish Country Songs" di A. Hughes. È una allegra storia di corteggiamento della più bella ragazza della contea di Down da parte di un giovane innamorato. Il testo è attribuito a Cathal McGarvey, poeta vissuto vissuto nella seconda metà dell’Ottocento. Precedentemente la melodia era conosciuta come "May love Nell".

Near to Banbridge town, in the County Down, one morning in July
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen and she smiled as she passed me by;
Oh she looked so neat from her two white feet, to the sheen of her nut - brown hair;
Sure the coaxing elf, I’d to shake myself to make sure I was standing there.

Oh 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 I shook my head and I gazed with a feeling quare
"And I said", says I to a passer - by, "Who’s the maid with the nut - brown hair?"
Oh, he smiled at me and with pride says he: "That’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".

She’d a soft brown eye and a look so sly and a smile like the rose in June
And you hung on each note from her lily - white throat as she lilted an Irish tune.
At the pattern dance you were held in trance as she tripped through a reel or a jig,
And when her eyes she’d roll, she’d coax upon my soul a spud from a hungry pig.

I’ve travelled a bit but never was hit since my roving career began;
But fair and square I surrendered thee to the charm of young Rosie McCann,
With a heart to let and no tenant yet did I meet within shawl or gown,
But in she went and I asked no rent from the Star of the County Down.

At the crossroads fair I’ll be surely there and I’ll dress in my Sunday clothes,
And I’ll try sheep’s eyes and deludhering lies on the heart of the nut - brown Rose.
No pipe I smoke, no horse I’ll yoke though my plough with rust turns brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside sits the Star of the County Down.

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ultimo aggiornamento: 11 gennaio 1999