This page is part of an Irish Genealogy web site called From Ireland ©Dr. Jane Lyons, Dublin

Ballads

Londonderry - Ireland

See also : The Sweet Girl's of Derry - Kitty of Coleraine - Emigration Index - Love Index

Bonny Irish Boy
Author unknown

His name I love to mention, in Ireland he was born,
I loved him very dearly, but alas! From me he’s gone;
He’s gone to America, he promised to send for me,
But the face of my bonny Irish boy I can no longer see.

It was in Londonderry that city of note and fame,
Where first my bonny Irish lad a-courting came to me.
He told me pleasant stories, and said his bride I’d be,
But the face of my bonny Irish boy I can no longer see.

I engaged my passage for New York, and, on arriving there,
To seek and find my Irish boy, I quickly did prepare;
I searched New York and Providence, and Boston, all in vain,
But the face of my bonny Irish boy was nowhere to be seen.

I went to Philadelphia, and from there to Baltimore,
I searched the state of Maryland, I searched it o’er and o’er.
I prayed that I might find him, wherever he might be.
But the face of my bonny Irish boy I could no longer see.

One night as I lay on my bed, I dreamt I was his bride,
And sitting on the Blue Bell Hill, and he sat by my side.
a-gathering primroses, like the happy days of yore,
I awoke quite broken hearted in the city of Baltimore.

Early next morning a knock came to my door,
I heard his voice, I knew it was the lad I did adore;
I hurried up to let him in, I never felt such joy
As when I fell into the arms of my darling Irish boy.

Farewell to Londonderry, I ne’er shall see you more,
Ah, many a pleasant night we spent around the sweet Lone Moor;
Our pockets were light, our hearts were good, we longed to be free,
And talked about a happy home and the land of liberty.

Home - Londonderry (Derry) - Ballads - Ballads first line index - Ballads Title Index

URL http://www.from-ireland.net

©Dr. Jane Lyons 2001-2007