Farewell to Kellswater

Lyrics

Here's a health to you, bonny Kellswater Where you'll get all the pleasures of life Where you'll get all the fishing and fowling And a bonny wee lass for your wife Oh, it's down where yon waters run muddy I'm afraid they will never run clear And it's when I dig in for to study My mind is on them that's not here It's this one and that one they court him But if anyone gets him but me It's early and late I will curse them That parted lovely Willie from me Oh, a father he calls on his daughter Two choices I'll give unto thee Would you rather see Willie's ship a-sailing Or see him hung like a dog from yon tree? Oh, Father, dear Father, I love him I can no longer hide it from thee Through an acre of fire I would travel Alone with lovely Willie to be Oh, hard was the heart that confined her And took from her her heart's delight May the chains of old Ireland bind around them And soft be their pillows at night Oh, yonder's a ship on the ocean And she does not know which way to steer From the east to the west she's a-going She reminds me of the charms of my dear Oh, it's yonder my Willie will be coming He said he'd be here in the spring And it's down by yon green shades I'll meet him And among yon green bushes (wild roses) we'll sing For a gold ring he placed on my finger Saying "Love, bear this in your mind If ever I sail from Old Ireland You'll mind I'll not leave you behind" Farewell to you, bonny Kellswater Where you'll get all the pleasures of life Where you'll get all the fishing and fowling And a bonny wee lass for your wife