[Verse 1]Near Banbridge Town in the County DownOne morning last JulyDown a bóithrín green came a sweet cailínAnd she smiled as she passed me byShe looked so sweet from her two bare feetTo the sheen of her nut-brown hairSuch a winsome elf, I'm ashamed of myselfFor to see I was staring there[Chorus]From Bantry Bay up to Derry's QuayFrom Galway to Dublin TownNo maid I've seen like the fair cailínThat I met in the County Down[Verse 2]As she onward sped, sure I scratched me headAnd I looked with a feelin' rareAnd I says, says I, to a passer-by"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair"?Well, he looked at me and he said to me:"That's the gem of Ireland's crownYoung Rosie McCann from the banks of the BannShe's the star of the County Down"[Chorus]From Bantry Bay up to Derry's QuayFrom Galway to Dublin TownNo maid I've seen like the fair cailínThat I met in the County Down[Verse 3]She'd soft brown eyes with a look so shyAnd a smile like the rose in JuneAnd she sang so sweet what a lovely treatAs she lilted an Irish tuneAt the Lammas dance I was in the tranceAs she whirled with the lads of the townAnd it broke me heart just to be apartFrom the star of the County Down[Chorus]From Bantry Bay up to Derry's QuayFrom Galway to Dublin TownNo maid I've seen like the fair cailínThat I met in the County Down[Verse 4]At the Harvest Fair she'll be surely thereSo I'll dress in me Sunday clothesWith me shoes shone bright and me hat cocked rightFor a smile from the nut brown roseNo pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yokeTill my plough is a rust colored brownAnd a smiling bride by me own firesideSits the star of the County Down
