Henry's Songbook

'Twas on a summer's morning all in the month of May
Down by yon flowery arbor I carelessly did stray
I there espied a charming maid most pleasant to my view
And the title that she gave herself was the Maid of Ballydoo

I boldly stepped up to her and unto her did say
Are you Aurora or Flo the Queen of May
Or is it the fair Helen that appears all in my view
But the title that she gave herself was the Maid of Ballydoo

I took her by the lilywhite hand and by the waist so small
I showed her my father's garden down by the river Bann
Where the sheep and the lambs do sport and play, the trout and salmon too
And says I, Sweet maid, don't be afraid for to leave old Ballydoo

Well it was with great persuasion that I got her for to give consent
And had in hand together it was Hilltown down we went
There we drank liquor of the best and some of the mountain dew
And she soon forgot the vows she made when leaving Ballydoo

It was a summer's evening all in the month of June
As I was sitting silently, condoling at my loom
My scissors they cut sweetly and my shuttle nimbly flew
When I first composed these verses on the Maid of Ballydoo

(as sung by Kevin Mitchell)

[1996:] From the singing of David Hammond. (Notes Kevin Mitchell, 'I Sang That Sweet Refrain')