I’ve always been a rover and I’ve never had a care
I’ve courted every lass I’ve met from Antrim down to
Clare
I’ve never felt the pain of love ‘till cupid came one
day
Now every thought I’ve had is on Kitty of Kilray!
Refrain:
I love the rose of Kilray, and one of these days I’ll
dance her away
She’s stolen my heart, and never I’ll part with Kitty
the rose of Kilray
Her hair is long and golden and her eyes are emerald
green
She’s well put together from head to toe she’s every
young man’s dream
All of the boys are chasing her and it’s time I made me
play
When I get bold I will propose to Kitty the rose of
Kilray
Refrain
In Belfast city I know a lass with money and with class
She asked if she could marry me but I know it wouldn’t
last
I told her nice and gently that my heart would never
stray
From the rose of county Derry and my Kitty of Kilray
Refrain
Now that we are married we have children on our knee
A girl just like her mother and a boy that looks like
me
And when I hold her in my arms my heart still thumps
away
The king can have his riches, I’ve got Kitty of Kilray
Refrain
