The Irish Girl Lyrics. Source: “The Maine Woods Songster” edited by Phillips Barry, 1939
As I roved out one evening down by the river side
A looking all around me an Irish girl I spied
So red and rosy were her cheeks and yellow was her hair
And costly were the robes of gold my Irish girl did wear
Now the first time that I saw my love I was sick and feeling bad
The only request I asked of her was that she might tie my head
I asked if one as bad as me could ever mind again
But love is a sore disorder, did you ever feel the pain
(Ch)
Let the wind blow high and low my boys let the seas run mountains high
It is the seamen’s duty the helm to stand by
My love she’ll not come near me for all the moan I make
And neither will she pity me though my poor heart should break
But if I were of some noble blood and she of a lower degree
She’d hear my lamentation and come and care for me
(Ch)
My only love is fairer than the lilies that do roam
She has voice that’s clearer than any wind that blows
She’s the promise of this country like Venus in the air
And let her go wherever she will, she’s my joy and only dear
(Ch)
And if I were a butterfly I’d light on my love’s breast
And if I were a linnet I’d sing my love to rest
And if I were a nightingale I’d sing till the morning clear
For once I loved her dearly she’s my joy and only dear