Emi C D Near to Banbridge town in the County DownG Emi D One morning last JulyEmi C D From a boreen green came a sweet colleenG C D Emi And she smiled as she passed me byG D She looked so sweet from her two bare feetEmi C D To the sheen of her nut-brown hairEmi G D Such a coaxing elf sure I shook myselfG C D Emi For to see I was really there Chorus:G D From Bantry Bay up to Derry QuayEmi C D And from Galway to Dublin Town,Emi G D No maid have I seen like the brown colleenEmi C D Emi That I met in the County Down As she onward sped, sure I scratched my head And I looked with a feeling rare And I says, says I to a passer-by: "Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair" He smiled at me and he says, says he: "That's the gem of Ireland's crown Young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann She's the star of the County Down" Chorus She'd a soft brown eye and a look so sly And a smile like a rose in June And you hung on each note from her lilly-white throat As she lilted an Irish tune At the pattern dance you were held in a trance As she skipped to a reel or a jig When her eyes she'd roll, she'd coax upon my soul A spud from a hungry pig Chorus I've traveled a bit but never was hit Since my roving career began But fair and square I surrendered there To the charm of young Rosie McCann With a heart to let and no tenant yet Did I meet with a shawl or gown But in she went and I asked no rent From the star of the County Down Chorus At the harvest fair, she'll be surely there And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes With my shoes shone bright and my hat cocked right For a smile from my nut-brown Rose No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke 'Till my plow turns rust-coloured brown 'Till a smiling bride, by my own fire-side Sits the star of the County Down Chorus