Craigie Hills (from Co. Fermanagh singer Paddy Tunney)
Sung by Dolores Keane

It being in the spring and the small birds were singing,
Down by yon shady harbour I carelessly did stray,
Where the thrushes they were warbling,
The violets were charming
To view two lovers talking, a while I did delay.

She said, my love don't leave me all for another season,
Though fortune does be pleasing I'll go along with you,
And forsake friends and relations and quit this Irish nation,
And to the bonny Bann banks forever I'll bid adieu.

He said, my dear don't grieve me or yet annoy my patience,
You know I love you dearly the more I'm going away,
Going to some foreign nation to purchase a plantation,
To comfort us hereafter all in Amerikay.

Then after a short while, a fortune does be pleasing,
The land of our fore-fathers we’ll cross to give o’er.
Now we’re sailing on the ocean, for honour and promotion,
And parting with our sweet land, this land we do adore.

If you were on your bed lying and thinking on dying,
One sight of the bonny Bann banks, your sorrow you'd give o'er,
Or if you were for one hour, down in yon shady bower,
Pleasure would surround you, you'd think on death no more.

Then fare you well, sweet Craigie Hills, where often times I've roved,
I never thought my childhood days I'd part you any more,
Now we're sailing on the ocean for honour and promotion,
And the bonny boats are sailing, way down by the Doorin shore.

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