TradIt being in the spring, and the
small birds they were singing
Down by a shady arbour I carelessly did stray
Where the thrushes they were warbling, the
violets were charming
For to view two lovers talking, a while I did
delay
She said, My dear don't leave me all
for another season
Though fortune may be pleasing I'll go along with
you
I'll 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 although I'm going
away
I'm going to some foreign nation to purchase a
plantation
For to comfort us hereafter all in America
The landlords and their agents, their
bailiffs and their beagles
The land of our forefathers we're forced for to
give o'er
And we're sailing on the ocean for honour and
promotion
And we're parting with our sweethearts, it's them
we do adore
If you were in your bed lying and
thinking of dying
One sight of the bonny Bann banks, your sorrows
you'd give o'er
And if you were but one hour all in her shady
bower
Pleasure would surround you, you'd think on death
no more
So fare thee well sweet Craigie Hill
where oftentimes I have roved in
I never thought in my childhood days I'd part you
any more
But we're sailing on the ocean for honour and
promotion
And the bonny boat's a-sailing way down by
Doorin's shore
As sung by Dick Gaughan