Oh, lovely Mary Donnelly, my joy, my only best
If fifty girls were round you, Id hardly see the rest;
Be what it may the time o day, the place be where it will
Sweet looks o Mary Donnelly, they bloom before me still.
Her eyes like mountain water thats flowing on a rock,
How clear they are, how dark they are! they give me many a shock.
Red rowans warm in sunshine and wetted with a shower,
Could neer express the charming lip that has me in its power.
Her nose is straight and handsome, her eyebrows lifted up,
Her chin is very neat and pert, and smooth like a china cup,
Her hairs the brag of Ireland, so weighty and so fine;
Its rolling down upon her neck, and gathered in a twine.
The dance o last Whit-Monday night exceeded all before,
No pretty girl from miles about was missing from the floor;
But Mary kept the belt of love, and O but she was gay!
She danced a jig, she sung a song, that took my heart away.
When she stood up for dancing, her steps were so complete,
The music nearly killed itself to her feet;
The fiddler mourned his blindness, he heard her so much praised,
But blessed his luck not to be deaf when once her voice she raised.
And evermore Im whistling or lilting what you sung,
Your smile is always in my heart, your name beside my tongue;
But youve as many sweethearts as youd count on both your hands,
And for myself theres not a thumb or little finger stands.
Oh, youre the flower o womankind in country or in town;
The higher I exalt you, the lower Im cast down.
If some great lord should come this way, and see your beauty bright.
And you to be his lady, Id own it was but right.
Oh, might we live together in a lofty palace hall,
Where joyful music rises, and where scarlet curtains fall!
Oh, might we live together in a cottage mean and small,
With sods or grass the only roof, and mud the only wall!
O lovely Mary Donnelly, your beautys my distress,
Its far too beauteous to be mine, but Ill never wish it less.
The proudest place would fit your face, and I am poor and low
But blessings be about you, dear, wherever you may go.