​Near to Banbridge Town in the County Down, one morning in July,
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen, and she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so neat from her two white feet to the sheen of her nut brown hair.
Sure the coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself for to see I was standing there.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry's Quay,
From Galway to Dublin Town,No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.

As she onward sped, well I shook my head, and I hazed with a feelin' quare.
And I says, says I, to a passer-by, "Whose the maid with the nut brown hair?"
He smiled at me and he says, says he, "That's the gem of Ireland's crown.
She’s young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann. She's the star of the County Down".

From Bantry Bay up to Derry's Quay,
From Galway to Dublin Town,No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.

I've traveled a bit but I ne'er was hit, sincemy roving career began.
But fair and square I surrender there to the charms of young Rose McCann
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet, did I meet with in shawl or gown.
But in she went and I asked no rent from the star of the county Down.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry's Quay,
From Galway to Dublin Town,No maid I've seen like the fair colleen
That I met in the County Down.

At the Crossroads Fair I'll be standing there, dressed in my Sunday clothes, and I'll try
sheep's eyes and deluding lies on the heart of the nut brown rose. No pipe I'll smoke, no
horse I'll yoke 'til my plough turns rust coloured brown.'Til a smiling bride, by my own
fireside, sits the star of the County Down.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry's Quay,
From Galway to Dublin Town,No maid I've seen like the fair colleen
That I met in the County Down.

From Bantry Bay up to Derry's Quay,
From Galway to Dublin Town,No maid I've seen like the fair colleen
That I met in the County Down.