Star of the County Down (The Irish Rovers)

This version of the classic Irish folk song has an entirely different third verse. The song was written in the late 19th century and was originally called Flower of the County Down. Lyrics: Near Banbridge Town in the County Down One morning last July, Down a bóithrín green came a sweet cailín And she smiled as she passed me by. She looked so sweet from her two bare feet To the sheen of her nut brown hair. Such a winsome elf, sure I shook myself For to see I was really there. [Chorus:] From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay From Galway to Dublin Town, No maid I've seen like the fair cailín That I met in the County Down. As she onward sped, sure I scratched my head, And I looked with a feelin' rare, And I says, says I, to a passer-by, "Whose the maid with the nut brown hair"? Well he looked at me and said to me "That's the gem of Ireland's crown. Young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann, She's the star of the County Down". [Chorus] She had soft brown eyes with a look so shy and a smile like a rose in June. And she sang so sweet what a lovely treat, as she lilted an Irish tune. At the Lammas dance I was in the trance As she whirled with the lads of the town. And it broke my heart just to be apart, From the star of the County Down. [Chorus] At the Harvest Fair she'll be surely there So I'll dress in my Sunday clothes, With my shoes shone bright and my hat cocked Right for a smile from the nut brown rose. No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke Till my plough turns rust coloured brown. And a smiling bride, by my own fireside Sits the star of the County Down. -------- The pretty ladies in the slideshow: 1. Andrea Corr 2. Andrea Roche 3. Sinead Noonan 4. Holly Carpenter 5. Georgia Salpa 6. Gemma Hayes