Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows Fair is the lily of the valley Clear are the waters that flows in yonder stream But my love is fairer than any.
Over the mountain and down to the glen To a little thatched cot in the valley Where the thrush and the linnet sing their ditties and their songs And my love leaning over the half-door.
Down by the seashore on a cool summer’s eve With the moon rising over the heather The moon it shone fair o’er her head of golden hair As she vowed she’d be my love forever.
It’s not for parting with my sister Kate Or for the loss of my mother It’s all for the loss of my bonnie brown-eyed lass That I’m leaving my homeland forever.